Article Excerpt:

"SHAW PARK BEACH HOTEL RE-OPENS UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT "

The Shaw Park Beach Hotel & Spa re-opens in January 2005 under new Jamaican management, headed by Jamaica's leading water sports tourism entrepreneur Ernie Smatt. The 42-year-old Shaw Park Hotel was one of the first properties offering accommodations in the days when Ocho Rios was little more than a small fishing village. Designed to reflect the gracious plantation lifestyle, Shaw Park still boasts original mahogany furniture and floors in the hotel lobby that overlooks the broad expanse of Caribbean Sea and beach for which the hotel is famous.

This most spectacular asset of the Shaw Park Beach Hotel stretches in front of the hotel for nearly half a mile of white sand and turquoise water, clear all the way to the horizon. Protected by an encircling natural reef on the western end, the beach curves right to receive the waters of the White River which enters the sea at that point. This gentle stream has even created a small white sand island at the eastern edge of the beach, easily accessible by wading across the shallow river mouth.

A special feature of Shaw Park is that all the 94 oceanfront rooms including 13 suites overlook the beach. To enhance the visitors' enjoyment of the hotel's beautiful view, the new owners have expanded all the rooms by enclosing the balconies and then building on new balconies. They have added new furniture and furnishings bursting with tropical colours, renovated all bathrooms, and installed cable TV and telephones in every room.

The terrace overlooking the beach offers al fresco dining under shady umbrellas, while a Georgian dining room set with mahogany furniture caters to more formal meals. A spacious conference room boasts mahogany wall paneling, a giant mahogany conference table seating 20, plus room for more than 200 seated. Nearby, the famous Silks disco bar has been renovated, while a newly-installed gaming room offers several slot machines.

BARBARA BLAKE HANNAH
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