Diasporans invest US$86m in High Life Resort and Spa in Negril
Published:Monday | August 26, 2024 | 12:06 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
Heeding the call by the government for members of the diaspora to invest in Jamaica, a group of diasporans have embarked on a project to invest almost US$90 million in a high-end villa resort in Negril, Westmoreland.
Known as High Life Resort and Spa, the US multimillion-dollar investment by Jamaicans living in the diaspora is seeking to revolutionise the tourist industry by offering a different kind of accommodation and attraction to visitors to Negril in Jamaica.
Garth Vickers, chief executive officer of High Life, said the property currently houses a 10-room villa and, by 2026, investment in the project will amount to US$30 million, with a buildout of additional villas. This is expected to rise to a total of US$86 million by the time the project is built out and fully operational.
He said that, currently, there is a 10-room villa on the 30-acre property, which was purchased from a Coca-Cola heiress. It is situated in the Negril area on the border with Orange Hill.
He said that, when completed, the project will consist of 20 villas, a spa, a basketball court, tennis court, gym, a 24-hour café, two rooftop jacuzzis, and a nightclub.
The project will also house a helicopter pad and four acres of cultivation.
Vickers said the existing villa, consisting of 10 rooms, is fully booked through the end of this year and into early next year. Another 10-room villa will be completed by December this year, he said.
He indicated that visitors, who pay some US$2,500 per night to rent the villa, have their own private butler and chef.
“They are transported from the Sangster International Airport on arrival to the property by helicopter, which is a 15-minute ride. Four visitors at a time are currently transported to the property by helicopter while luggage and other visitors are transported by ground transportation,” he said.
Vickers said they already have a helicopter charter service which transports visitors to the property.
Vickers, who is an accountant, financial investment adviser and wealth building manager, said he did not want to name the other people investing in the property at this time but disclosed that they are all from the diaspora.
The current villa opened to visitors last October and Vickers said there will be an official launch when other villas have been completed.
Vickers, who was managing director of Palm Resorts in Negril from 2007 to 2010, said this current project has been in the making since 2011.
He said he was approached by visitors who wanted to stay in Negril but required something more upscale and not as laidback as what is currently offered by hotels in the area.
“I always wanted to go back into the hospitality industry and, when I was approached by visitors who were looking for something different in accommodation and privacy, I looked around to see what was available,” he said.
Vickers said his gated community property is the only one that offers what they were looking for in the area.
Vickers said they started out by renting the villa in Negril, which is now High Life Resort, and later purchased the property.
“We have 30 acres of land overlooking the Caribbean Sea with a 180-degree panoramic view,” he said.
High Life Resort and Spa, he said, is in the heart of everything.
“We are seven minutes from Rick’s Café, 15 minutes from the Seven Mile beach, five minutes from Blue Hole, and seven minutes from Jam West Adventure Park,” he said.
According to the company CEO, the current villa comes with private kitchen, pool and other amenities.
Pointing out that High Life offers a more upscale accommodation, Vickers said visitors love the experience.
“[We] have a more holistic approach and offer farm-to-table produce to our guests,” he said.
The website for High Life Resort and Spa states that it offers stunning luxury villa in Jamaica with breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.
“Our resort is the perfect place to relax and unwind, and our premium service caters to all your preferences. Restore your peace of mind and heal your soul at High Life Resort and Spa,” the website stated.
Noting that the property is nestled in the tranquil hills of West End Negril, the villas come with modern, high-end touches and design elements with no detail overlooked, according to the website.