Jazz rooms scarce ... three prime properties closed

Janet Silvera, Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator

WHILE THREE of the tourism capital's prime resorts remain closed, many jazz patrons may be forced to sleep on the beach owing to the fact accommodation has become a scarce commodity.

The three, located on Montego Bay's Hip Strip, Gloucester Avenue are the 119-room Fantasy Resort, the 100-room Sea Gardens Hotel and the Vista Ambassador and can accommodate an average of 1,000 persons.

Both Fantasy and the Vista Ambassador are in a state of decay having been closed for over 10 years each. The resorts were 'Finsaced' over 10 years ago, but legal wrangling between the previous owners and their bankers has caused the properties to remain at a standstill.

In the case of Sea Gardens that resort was scheduled to re-open over a year ago, but nothing has happened since.

In the meantime, all the major resorts, villas and guest houses have closed out reservation for the period January 26 - 28, 2006 owing to the fact they are running full occupancy levels for those dates.

Again jazz week culminating with a vibrant winter tourist season has revealed the large cracks in the system, but like previous years no answers are forthcoming to ease the dilemma of fans who are forced to travel the four hour ordeal from Kingston to Montego Bay and make return trips after the show..

"It is a shame that these hotels remain closed after so many years," lamented Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association President, Horace Peterkin.

Peterkin who has been very optimistic about the resurgence of Gloucester Avenue is urging the creditors who had these properties closed to find new investors with the experience to re-open and manage them successfully.

Hospitality Jamaica has learnt that Dennis Morgan, who owned both Fantasy and Sea Gardens is still in court with Dennis Joslyn Jamaica Inc., the company that took over the portfolio from Finsac.

There is uncertainty surrounding the 100-room Vista Ambassador which was owned by Constantine 'Charlie' Hines, before it was placed on the auction block.