Grifco to handle the PR for Sandy Lane,
Barbados's most prestigious 5 star hotel

The team at Grifco are delighted to announce that they will be handling the PR campaign to promote Sandy Lane, Barbados.

Located on the western coast of Barbados, Sandy Lane was originally built in 1961. Dermot Desmond, J.P. McManus and partners purchased the property and golf course in 1996 and completely rebuilt and expanded, with the finished product ready for guests in March 2001. This exclusive 112-room resort has stylish lodging in rooms that average 900 square feet, a five-bedroom villa, luxury Bentley airport transfers, four restaurants including the signature restaurant L'Acajou, five bars, a 47,000-square-foot spa and three distinct golf courses offering guests the best golf in the Caribbean. The resort also offers a range of excellent water sports and tennis facilities.

Spa News

The Spa is a splendid Romanesque building fronted by a spectacular waterfall which cascades into the large freeform swimming pool. The unique facilities include VIP treatment suites, suite offering a private shower, bathroom and changing facilities. Nine suites feature private landscaped gardens and three have hydrotherapy pools.

The Spa Manager, Sharon Codner also plans to introduce new products to the spa this summer and offer courses such as a "healthy weight loss programme", body pump, body jam and to encourage guests to work out on the "vibrogym" a machine which helps remove cellulite, increases bone density, muscle strength and assists poor circulation.

Additional treatment experiences include the Chakra therapy room with a heated marble plinth, the hydrotherapy room with an underwater massage bath, and a jet blitz room.

Ricardo Sealy, a qualified Qigong instructor recently joined the team at The Spa at Sandy Lane. Qigong is a fascinating concept which has many therapeutic benefits in helping to maintain a healthy body and mind. 'Qi' is defined as the energy of the universe, and 'Gong' means hard work or study.

Another new addition to The Spa at Sandy Lane is Rafael Ramsey the new registered osteopath. Barbadian born and British trained, Rafael uses both structural and cranial osteopathic techniques. Today osteopathy is a recognized system of diagnosis and manual treatment. Osteopathic treatment can be used to successfully relieve back and neck pain, whiplash, joint and muscle injuries, stress, headaches, exhaustion and many other musculo-skeletal presentations.

Restaurant News

Sandy Lane has appointed a team of designers, architects and builders to construct a new 16ft BBQ by the beach at Sandy Lane. The facilities will include gas and charcoal stoves for guests to enjoy barbecued lobster on the beach.

Two new chefs have also been appointed. Dean Butler will be heading up the kitchen at the elegant L'Acajou, the resorts signature restaurant, where guests can enjoy French international cuisine and fine wines in an open-air waterfront setting. His new menus will showcase the freshest island seafood, local delicacies and the best imported products. Dean was previously at the Burj al Arab and before that he was at Mosimann's.

Dominique Martinez has been appointed as Chef de Cuisine at Bajan Blue restaurant. He will be looking after the team of chefs and plans to implement a new menu at the end of June 2006.

Family News

The Treehouse Club is available for children aged between 3 to 12 years and not only includes a play house and teenage den centre but also many excursions.

A new range of books and puzzles has recently arrived at the Treehouse Club to help keep Sandy Lane's children entertained. This summer the Treehouse Club will be completely refurbished with new furniture, game boys and an updated juke box. Lorraine Marriott will be organising beginners scuba diving with the "Bubblemaker" courses for children over 8 years and the Seal Team for children over 12 years. From the beginning of September the hotel will have a scale electric car racing championship for children which will be run by Jean Hill, Director of Leisure at Sandy Lane.

The 25ft rock climbing wall is to be proving one of the most popular activities for the adventurous and is available for all children 3+. The Ocean Park excursion is a big hit for the parents too. This underwater theme park complete with its own live coral reef is a must see. There is also a magnificent playground for all ages and a mini golf course.

Other favourites include Catamaran Cruises, Island Safaris, visit to Harrison's Cave, the Wildlife Reserve and swimming with turtles.

Golf News

cal point of golf at Sandy Lane is the impressive Club House overlooking the 18th Hole of The Country Club Course and The Green Monkey. The clubhouse serves the three Sandy Lane courses: The Old Nine, the Tom Fazio designed Country Club Course and the spectacular Green Monkey Course.

The Country Club Course is being re-designed to challenge the world's best golfers competing in The Barbados World Cup being held at Sandy Lane in December 2006. The golf course is also undergoing major re-landscaping, with a number of new plantings and renovations. Mature trees are being incorporated in the roughs between holes 6th/7th and 10th/17th to create division between these relatively young golf holes. African Tulip trees will be planted along the right side of the practice ground to separate it from the first hole and enhance the view of this area from the Clubhouse.

Over the period of the Golf World Cup at the beginning of December guests will be able to play on the prestigious Green Monkey golf course at a reduced cost.