The Resorts & Residences by CuisinArt, now under new ownership, is forging ahead with its transition process to become one of the best resorts in the Caribbean and the rest of the world.
The 5-star property comprises CuisinArt Golf Resort and The Reef by CuisinArt, a cluster of luxury estate villas, an eighteen-hole Greg Norman golf course, six restaurants, a Hydroponic Farm and other facilities, is now owned by well-known American businessman, Mr. Richard M. Schulze. The famed developer, whose family business is Olympus Ventures, is the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Best Buy and is one of the world’s foremost entrepreneurs.
Originally built, and owned, by the late Mr. Leandro Rizzuto, the 314-acre property is located on Anguilla’s historic Rendezvous Bay Beach on the south-west coast of the island. It is, by far, the largest tourism development on the 35-square-mile sun-kissed island.
Mr. Schulze and Anguilla’s Premier, Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on December 16, 2020, that redefines and reimagines tourism and accommodation on the placid Caribbean island. Up close and personal to implement the owner’s vision for the resort is the management company, Wischermann Lifestyle Hospitality.
That vision aims at elevating the property with the introduction of an array of world-class amenities and experiences – enhancing the Anguillian community and benefitting guests, employees and residents.
The resort’s transition process is on a fast burner. Topping the list of innovations and enhancements are a renewed and expanded 16,000 square-foot Hydroponic Farm which had been the fresh-produce delight of visitors and guests alike; a new Solar Array in collaboration with the local utility and the GOA, operating in parallel with the utility grid and providing energy for the resort’s water treatment resources, the golf course and lighting infrastructures; the expansion of the Reverse Osmosis Plant with a capacity to produce 1.5 million gallons of irrigation and potable water a day; and it will feature three separate filling stations to enable local truck owners to purchase water supplies for island-wide consumers. The second phase of the enhancements will include a state-of-the-art destination spa and wellness centre, and improvements to the golf course as it is elevated to one of the world’s best.
While developing the resort and providing the finest service and experience for guests, its owner Mr. Schulze, has undertaken to support the Anguillian community as a top priority and to empower Anguillans to achieve their best. He is in discussion with Premier Dr. Webster on these and other matters.
Mr. Schulze’s company, Olympus Ventures, has secured the services of a top international hotelier, Mr. Simon A. Fricker, as the resort’s Managing Director. He is originally from Switzerland where he received his education in culinary and hospitality management. He has over 25 years of experience in a career that spans three continents and has worked with such luxury brand hotels as The Peninsula, St. Regis and Mandarin Oriental.
Anguilla is blessed to have such an experienced hotelier with so much vast international experience. For him, he comes to an island long recognised as a jewel in the Caribbean. Replying to a question from The Anguillian newspaper, he stated: “As Managing Director for The Resorts & Residences by CuisinArt, my goal is to spur innovation and lead the team as we make enhancements to the resort to deliver a world-class escape. Through elevating the guest experience, we believe the resort will become one of the most coveted in the world, drawing more visitors to Anguilla and boosting tourism.”
Anguilla is widely-known for its culinary skills, and good food is a big part of what the resort will be offering its guests. The Managing Director confirmed this when he told The Anguillian newspaper: “We are working on elevating our Food & Beverage offerings and have hired a world-renowned Restaurant consulting firm to assist us in defining our exciting new concepts.”
One of Mr. Fricker’s top priorities is the retention and training of staff; and he stressed that the resort is committed to creating a culture for individuals to achieve their best. This is meeting with much appreciation by the employees who crowded the MOU signing ceremony last December and displayed a high level of comfort and hope at the transition.
The training, to which Mr. Fricker alluded, is an excellent refresher for the employees who, over their many years, have been highly commended for their service by new and repeat visitors. With the impact of COVID-19, and the protocols involved, it is expected that this is a particular area of training as well, in accordance with the resort’s own protocols, and those recommended by the Health Authority of Anguilla.
The resort’s Managing Director is delighted with the island’s COVID-free status and what it means for the safety of visitors, employees and residents. “Anguilla currently has no active cases of COVID-19, making it particularly appealing to today’s luxury traveller,” he observed. “The Resorts & Residences by CuisinArt is committed to upholding the highest industry safety standard to ensure our guests can rest easy with complete confidence in their Caribbean getaway.”
The Resorts & Residences in Anguilla is the only property on the island with two separate hotels including a golf course and other amenities; but they will be operated as a single entity. Mr. Fricker explained how this will be done. “We will operate the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and The Reef by CuisinArt under one umbrella and with the same guiding principles to ensure we are delivering the leading hospitality experiences in the Caribbean,” he stated. “Golf is a passion for the owners, and Iain Mossman was recently brought on to serve as the General Manager of Golf Operations. Iain will oversee all aspects of the CuisinArt Golf Club, and will lead the team in our goal of establishing the resort as one of the world’s leading golf experiences, ranking as one of the top 100 courses in the world.”
An exciting matter is that, Mr. Mossman is not only committed to delivering a world-class golf experience, for all visiting golfers, but his future plans include introducing the art of golf to Anguillian children. This holds out much promise for young sport lovers, now mainly engaged in football, volleyball, netball and, to some extent, cricket. The ultimate promise is that Anguillian youngsters can, in time, become a new generation of golfers both in Anguilla and in the rest of the Caribbean region.
Another exciting matter is that local discounts are being offered on the golf course as well as on the “out of bubble spa services, among other promotions to attract local residents to the resort.
Asked what message he wished to convey to the resort’s employees and the people of Anguilla, in general, Mr. Fricker, the Managing Director, said: “We are committed to our team and to the island’s residents. As we look to the future, we are excited to continue to honour the property’s legacy while transitioning into a new era, benefiting guests, our staff and the community. Celebrating the vibrant culture of Anguilla and the people who bring the beautiful island to life, is at the core of what we are creating.”
He added: “I am very excited to be part of this journey to bring the iconic Resorts & Residences by CuisinArt back to its former glory and beyond. I am also committed to the local Anguillian residents who will be a crucial part of the future success of our Resort.”
