Marigot Bay Resort and Marina - A Brief History

In the early 80s, the Hurricane Hole was sold to The Moorings yacht charter company with accommodations being used primarily for guests at the start or end of their yacht charters. Finally, in 2002 British couple Judith and John Verity, with development partners, purchased the hotel and transformed the old site of the Yacht Haven/ Hurricane Hole Hotel into a five star resort, marina and marina village called Discovery at Marigot Bay which opened its doors in 2004.

Discovery was eventually sold in 2009, underwent another refurbishment and was renamed Marigot Bay Hotel.

Subsequently, the Marigot Bay Resort and Marina was branded as a Capella property, but in August 2018, once again returned to its former glory days and became independently operated with a team of highly professional and welcoming St Lucians at the helm.

If you look closely there are still some reminders of the hotel’s nautical past and the influence of Walter Boudreau, the man who loved schooners—one of the masts of his schooner, Doubloon, hangs outside the Grill at 14°61°.

The Marina at Marigot Bay also remains as one of the most attractive and popular havens for luxury yachts in the region attracted by the stunning surroundings and the five-star service on the docks.

Although a world away in terms of appearance from the original Yacht Haven, one thingalways remains the same— the indescribable beauty of Marigot Bay itself.

ABOUT MARIGOT BAY RESORT AND MARINA Nestled in Saint Lucia’s Marigot Bay—described as “the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean” by novelist James A Michener, the Marigot Bay Resort and Marina reopened in December 2014 following an extensive multi-million-dollar renovation.

The resort’s 124 Suites, including Junior Suites, one- bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites, merge the comfort of a private residence with five- star amenities featuring spacious balconies and extensive views of the bay or lush tropical gardens.

Many rooms offer private hot tubs. The Grill at 14°61° offers thoughtfully prepared farm to fork dining under the leadership of Culinary Director, Daniel Echasseriau while guests enjoy breath taking views of Marigot Bay. An intimate Rum Cave houses specialty local rums and offers rum tasting classes in a space reminiscent of an authentic distillery, while the swim-up Pool Bar and Brut Bar serve fresh sushi and ceviche.

Guests are afforded even more luxury at the world class onsite spa. Inspired by Saint Lucia’s natural environment, the spa utilises indigenous ingredients in innovative rituals based on the phases of the moon and speaking to the island’s Amerindian heritage. Marigot Bay Marina accommodates some of the most luxurious super yachts in the world, and guests of the resort are able to arrange exclusive charters.

Proud members of the Preferred Hotels and Resorts’ LVX Collection and American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts, the resort’s magnificent setting places guests nearby Saint Lucia’s majestic rainforests and iconic UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons, providing easy access to activities including water sports, horseback riding, fishing, diving and hiking.

FROM GREAT NAVAL BATTLES AND GIANT PINK SNAILS,

Website: www.marigotbayresort.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/marigotbayresort/

to Marigot Bay Resort, Spa and Marina

Marigot Bay is not only known for its spectacular beauty, but it also has a rich and fascinating history.

Marigot Bay is not only known for its spectacular beauty, but it also has a rich and fascinating history. Described by novelist James Michener as “the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean,” Marigot Bay has been photographed so many times that first-time tourists often experience a jolt of recognition or a curious sense of déjà vu.

According to local accounts, the bay played a pivotal role in at least one notable British naval victory over the French (the island itself changed hands some 14 times between France and Britain between the late 1700s and mid 1800s).

It’s been said that the British fleet, fleeing from the French navy, hid their ships within Marigot’s inner bay—then lined with lush vegetation and soaring palms—disguising their masts with palm fronds. The French sailed right past the bay, not seeing the British hiding within. The British then surprised the French fleet executing a strategically timed ambush from behind—not necessarily gallant, but certainly effective.

Providing a safe haven for yachts over the centuries Marigot Bay has been the scene of many dramatic events. For years the haunt of pirates with legends of buried treasure, a German U Boat also reportedly surfaced in the bay during World War II.

Not surprising, its peaceful coconut palm fringed beach and lush vegetation also caught the eye of film makers who used the bay as a location for the original “Dr Dolittle” with Rex Harrison (1967). The elusive giant pink snail came to shore on La Bas Beach (the sand spit, see photo below) then sailed off into the sunset with most of the film’s lead characters on board.

After filming was completed, the snail remained on La Bas beach for a number of years and many people on the island remember playing in the big fibreglass prop as children (it was on the beach up to about 35 years ago). The snail then disappeared with some believing it was taken deep into the forests around the bay to become a smiling “house” for Rastafarians, but it is more likely, and less romantically, this it washed out to sea in a storm or was purposely sunk.

In 1979, Marigot Bay was also the backdrop for the less than memorable Michael Winner film Fire Power starring Sophia Loren, James Coburn and OJ Simpson, and Water starring Michael Caine.

HOTEL HISTORY Born in 1918 in Nova Scotia, Canada, Walter Boudreau began sailing as a young boy. After spending three weeks at a medical college, he decided the call of the sea was stronger and embarked on a professional sailing career working his way

around the world on board a range of sailing yachts. At the end of World War II, he bought his first boat, a former rum runner, that he sailed from North America to the Caribbean.

Boudreau first visited Marigot Bay around 1952 on board his schooner, Doubloon, and the image of this beautiful bay remained indelibly etched in his memory. To Walter Boudreau, Marigot Bay was a magical place and after years sailing charter guests around the Leeward and the Windward islands, he and his wife Terry returned to Marigot Bay to settle with their three young children.

In 1959, they purchased 40 acres on the southern side of the inner bay. In 1960, Boudreau continued to run his yacht charter out of the bay and the following year, the couple decided to build a small hotel called Yacht Haven.

Largely hand-built form local blue stone—brought by gommier canoe to the bay by local fishermen—and greenheart timber from Guyana, and tiles from Martinique. The furniture was made from teak salvaged from decommissioned British warships even down to the plaques with ships’ names on them.

The theme of the original hotel was nautical. Electricity was provided by generator which was switched off at midnight, and telephones worked only sporadically. Terry took care of the running of the very basic, yet charming Yacht Haven accommodations, while Walter continued to run sail charters.

The couple sold The Yacht Haven Hotel 1974 to Pat and Nick Bowden. They carried out a major renovation, as the hotel had been closed for a number of years, renaming it The Hurricane Hole. The name, although understood by sailors, was less attractive to non-sailing guests. The Hurricane Hole Bar became a legendary drinking haunt, while the hotel itself was filled with Hess Oil staff while the new oil storage facility was being built to the north in the late 1970s.