Cotton Bay Holdings Limited, in partnership with Marriott International, has officially broken ground on a US$200 million (AU$314 million) development in The Bahamas. The project, located on a 130-hectare site in South Eleuthera, will become the ninth Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the world.
This ultra-luxury resort will feature a 110-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel and 97 branded residences, offering a unique living experience with three- to five-bedroom villas. The development will also include luxury amenities such as signature restaurants, a spa and wellness sanctuary, multiple swimming pools, and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. The hotel and golf course are set to be completed by 2027.
A historic groundbreaking ceremony took place on the pristine shores of South Eleuthera, attended by various dignitaries, including Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Brian King, President of Marriott International for the Caribbean and Latin America, and Dr. Luis Carlos Sarmiento Sr. and his family, owners of Cotton Bay Holdings Limited. Representatives from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, as well as local stakeholders, were also present.
A Vision for Sustainability and Economic Growth
Prime Minister Davis commended the project’s long-term vision and focus on sustainability, while Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper highlighted its contribution to The Bahamas’ thriving tourism industry.
Marriott’s Brian King expressed his excitement about the location, calling it “one of the most special places these hotels will ever reside in.”
The Sarmiento family, owners of Cotton Bay Holdings, have spent three decades working towards developing the property. Despite previous unsuccessful attempts, the billionaire Colombian family has called South Eleuthera home since the 1990s.
Economic Impact and Local Opportunities
Maria Claudia Sarmiento, Principal of Cotton Bay Holdings, spoke about the family’s long wait to begin this development. She noted that the Ritz-Carlton Reserve project will generate 450 construction jobs and 600 permanent positions once the resort is fully operational.
The development is designed with sustainability in mind, focusing on energy conservation, water management, and protection of the surrounding environment. Sarmiento emphasized the positive economic ripple effect the project will have, noting that it will provide young locals with opportunities for training and careers in hospitality and related industries.
Additionally, she believes the project will foster local entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for small businesses, artisans, tour operators, farmers, and transport providers to thrive by supporting the resort and its guests.
“We are thrilled to see this project become a reality,” Sarmiento said. “It will not only boost the local economy but also foster long-lasting partnerships that will benefit the community for years to come.”
Prime Minister Davis added that the project was “planned with long-term sustainability in mind” and would have a lasting positive impact on the region.
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