Merricks Beach Resort and Residence

Thomas Overseas is proud to announce the first five star resort development to be built in Barbados for twenty years, the Merricks Beach Resort and Spa. The Caribbean is synonymous with luxury and opulence, for many years the holidaying elite have been drawn to the islands for their dramatic beauty and the hospitable nature of the people.

Barbados is the leading island destination in the Caribbean for British, North American and European tourists. It has a long-established tourist industry and is highly experienced in
providing efficient service to a wide clientele. Barbados has a stable government, enjoys a wide range of attractions and has fine coral-sand beaches. Barbados boasts scores of restaurants and bars, nature attractions including caves and marine parks, historic sites, festivals, golf courses and a range of other activities.

By the end of 2003, the island had hosted over 1 million tourists, of whom 531,211 were stay-over visitors and 559,000 were cruise ship visitors. Accommodation for tourists is targeted to increase from approximately 7,250 rooms in 2003 to approximately 9,500 rooms by 2010. There is something for everyone in Barbados. Relax on the beach, or sip rum punch whilst sailing the Caribbean Coast on a luncheon or sunset cruise.

For the more lively there is parasailing, windsurfing, tennis, golf, squash and horse riding. There are sights to reward the curious, restaurants to delight the gourmet, and a nightlife that bubbles with tropical excitement. There are many flights daily from all over the UK, which include British Airways and Virgin from Gatwick, Manchester with BMI as well as Virgin, and now many charter flight companies.

The Merricks Beach Resort & Spa is set within 70 acres of lush tropical vegetation on the south-east coast of Barbados ideally located with its own beach and cliff top location in the stunning south east Parish of St Phillip, Barbados; with only a 15 minute car journey to the International Airport.

The resort will consist of a luxury 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and 1,2,3 & 4 bedroom Villas, Palmetto Bay Hotel Suites, fabulous cliff top villas and cabanas and the exclusive Island Sanctuary Villas. All set within beautiful landscaped grounds with surrounding fresh water pools and lagoons.

This stunning location at Merricks Cove hosts its own half moon sandy beach which houses one of the Hotel’s many bars and restaurants. The entire resort is to be managed by a 5 Star Resort operator (to be appointed) which will maintain features such as spa pools, children’s, crèche, shopping facilities, tennis courts, gymnasium, conference facilities, library, cinema and the exclusive Island Sanctuary Spa.

Each individual studio and apartment is sold on a freehold basis, with the developer licensing the development to a major branded hotel group. A license will be entered into, giving the freeholder a guaranteed rental return of 10% of the purchase price for two years, while the resort establishes itself. After which the hotel group will pay the freeholder 50% of the net income received from the rental of the property. This is done on a rental pool basis, whereby rental income of the apartments and villas is calculated over the average of the pool for the month. If your particular apartment or villa is vacant on a particular night you will still receive rental from the pool.

The resort has the advantage of being able to be used for 4 weeks a year, and with rental figures on the island and neighbouring resorts being that of approx $500 per night in low season (studio room) it is an excellent investment; giving approx high yield returns of 15-20% once the resort is established and earning 50% of the net income, with the obvious benefits of owning a property in the most desirable holiday destination in the world.