Eleuthera,
Bahamas – The Cove, Eleuthera’s first day as the Bahama’s newest resort
will be hard to top. Guests at yesterday’s exclusive grand opening
event were treated to a sunset affair that began with seaside delicacies
such as conch salad, lobster and a visit from Bahamas Prime Minister
Perry Christie. The Prime Minister spoke to a crowd of approximately
500 guests, marking the official opening of the 40-acre luxury resort.
“We
believed in his (Sidney's) vision,” Christie told reporters as he
toured the property. The Prime Minister visited The Cove, Eleuthera
frequently during its construction. “As we saw the place developing we
had more and more confidence in this place.”
Developer
Sidney D. Torres, IV welcomed his guests, many of whom were the first
to stay in the resort’s brand new accommodations. “There's something
about Eleuthera that is special and it’s the people who are special. I
promise you we are going to make [The Cove, Eleuthera] the best in the
world and it will be because of the people,” he told guests as he spoke
on the resort’s newly planted cashmere zoysia lawn.
Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas speaks at The Cove, Eleuthera opening on March 1st. Seen in the back is owner, Sidney D. Torres and his wife. Photo: Erika Goldring
Torres
was heavily involved in The Cove’s design, development and
construction. An experienced hotelier from New Orleans, Torres bought
the property in July and has worked tirelessly planning and executing
what he has termed a “rebirth” of the property which has been a mainstay
of the island since 1969. Torres personally managed every detail,
completing 60 rooms in 10 months with an additional 60 rooms scheduled
to come online in the fall.
Msgr.
John Johnson closed the presentation with a blessing of the property,
with Torres and his fiancé Jennifer Savoie participating. The Dirty
Dozen Brass Band of New Orleans escorted guests to the infiniti pool
deck with a traditional New Orleans second line, symbolic of Torres’
fondness for New Orleans.
New
Orleans Grammy award-winning vocalist Aaron Neville serenaded guests
with hits such as Yellow Moon, Everybody Plays a Fool, Don’t Know Much
at the invitation-only affair. "It's beautiful, wonderful," Neville
said before his performance tonight. “I'm thinking of coming back here
for vacation...the scenery is out of sight. It's tremendous, it's laid
back, it's way cool."
Prime Minister Christie and Sidney D. Torres walk the grounds of the newly opened resort in Eleuthera on March 1st Photo: Erika Goldring
Torres
spared no expense in his remake of The Cove, Eleuthera and is offering
the use of his personal plane to fly guests from Ft. Lauderdale
Executive Airport to the island, as part of an exclusive amenity
package.
Additional
amenities include 500+ thread count bedding, iPod docking stations, 50”
flat screen televisions, wireless internet access, in-room safes,
Nespresso coffee makers and Molton Brown bath accessories.
Traveling to The Cove, Eleuthera Hotel
Eleuthera
Island is 50 miles east of Nassau and 40 minutes from South Florida by
air. Three airports serve the island of Eleuthera: North Eleuthera
Airport (ELH), Governor's Harbour Airport (GHB) and Rock Sound Airport
(RSD) with daily, non-stop flights from Miami & Fort Lauderdale.
Aaron Neville and Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Rt. Hon, Perry G. Christie. March 1st, 2013 Photo: Erika Goldring
Local dignitaries were among 500 guests at the private grand opening party of The Cove, Eleuthera on March 1st. Cabinet Ministers and Prime Minister of The Bahamas are seen here with owner, Sidney D. Torres walking the property of The Cove. Photo: Erika Goldring
The Cove, Eleuthera is owned by Sidney D. Torres, IV Photo: Erika Goldring
The Cove, Eleuthera. Photos: Erika Goldring
Spanish Wells Junkanoo group rush at the grand opening of The Cove, Eleuthera on March 1st Photo: Erika Goldring
Sidney D. Torres at The Cove, Eleuthera grand opening.
Dirty Dozen Brass Band performs at the grand opening of The Cove, Eleuthera on March 1st. Photo: Erika Goldring
Aaron Neville performs at The Cove, Eleuthera grand opening on March 1st. Photo: Erika Goldring