The Tribune

The Pointe development next to downtown Nassau's British Colonial Hilton property will be flagged by the Margaritaville brand inspired by singer Jimmy Buffett, it was revealed yesterday.

Margaritaville Holdings, in a statement, said it would become the operating partner for China Construction America's (CCA) $250 million, six-acre development.

The project, which is expected to begin a phased opening in mid-2019, will feature a 150-room Margaritaville Beach Resort, plus 150 luxury oceanfront residences - of which 100 will be branded One Particular Harbour at The Pointe.

Other amenities include a marina, water park, spa, entertainment centre, Margaritaville food and beverage concepts, retail shops, a children's club and more.

"The Bahamas - one of the most beautiful places in the world - is an absolutely perfect location for a Margaritaville lifestyle destination," said John Cohlan, Margaritaville's chief executive.

"We're excited to combine our casual-luxe brand with the local Bahamian culture, known for its warmth and hospitality, to create a one-of-a-kind paradise to vacation, visit, live or just kick back and relax. Nassau is an ideal destination for our lifestyle brand as we continue to expand our global hospitality footprint."

The Margaritaville Beach Resort at The Pointe will include an open-air shopping concourse, movie theatre, bowling alley, outdoor performance stage for live entertainment, cascading water pool, St Somewhere Spa, retail huts and a private beach with cabanas and chaise lounges.

The resort will include adventure experiences with the LandShark water park and fun, plus family-friendly activities including a cave aquarium, blue hole diving pool, water slide tower, infinity pool, private hot tub, surf simulator, beach entry pool, children's splash play area and tropical island overlooking a river.

The Pointe's 45-slip marina will offer floating berths for up to 150-foot yachts, including dockside Wi-Fi. A public access boardwalk will be lined by tiki hut-style marina shops for Bahamian crafts, together with a pier restaurant and yacht club facility. The pier will also serve as a launch pad for pirate ship excursions and a water taxi transporting tourists around the various points of interest in and around Nassau.

Hard Rock was initially tapped as the operator/brand for The Pointe, but it now appears to have been replaced by Margaritaville as the latter bids to expand into a more resort-based offering.