Left to Right: Sam Nazarian, Founder & CEO of sbe; Honorable Dr. Hubert Minnis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar; Bahamas Tourism and Aviation Minister Hon. Dionisio D'Aguilar.
sbe opens first international SLS hotel as part of Baha Mar resort destination.
MIAMI – Introducing a new level of lifestyle hospitality to The Bahamas, the 299-room SLS Baha Mar hotel is now open within Baha Mar, the $4.2 billion beachfront resort destination in Nassau with an elite collection of global luxury brands set along 3,000 feet of sparkling white sand beach and crystal clear waters. Keeping in the SLS Hotel brand tradition, a Ringing of the Bell Event took place on property on November 17, 2017 to mark the official opening of the fifth SLS property.
The event, hosted by sbe Founder & CEO Sam Nazarian with remarks from President of Baha Mar Graeme Davis, and the Honorable Dr. Hubert Minnis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, showcased the best of the new SLS Baha Mar and its culinary and entertainment outlets with bites from the latest restaurant to open at Baha Mar, Cleo, and specialty drinks from Monkey Bar in the hotel lobby. Approximately 700 VIPs, influencers, media and guests gathered at the hotel to toast the launch, including Bahamas Tourism and Aviation Minister Hon. Dionisio D'Aguilar; Executive Chef of Cleo, Chef Danny Elmaleh; and actress, entrepreneur and lifestyle blogger Cara Santana. Guests were welcomed with a steel drum band, served Perrier-Jouët champagne and evian water, and entertained by belly dancers, water sphere performers, and an electric violinist who played from a floating stage at Bungalow Pool Bar & Grill.
"This is an exciting time for The Bahamas and our sbe team, as the international expansion of our SLS footprint is a huge step for the brand, along with the 11 additional SLS properties in the pipeline," says Sam Nazarian, Founder and CEO of sbe. "We are thrilled to open our doors at SLS Baha Mar, including our first international Cleo, which features a new menu by award-winning chef Danny Elmaleh, and we look forward to opening the rest of our restaurant and entertainment outlets in the near future. Through every detail, we are highlighting the beauty of the Bahamian culture and disrupting the way guests and travelers view lifestyle hospitality experiences. We are proud to be part of the incredible Baha Mar integrated resort destination and are humbled by the warm welcome we have received from The Bahamas community."
"The opening of SLS Baha Mar marks a meaningful milestone in the evolution of Baha Mar and our commitment to the Bahamian people and our guests to offer a true luxury of choice in accommodations and experiences," said Graeme Davis, President of Baha Mar.
SLS, the design-led luxury hotel concept by sbe, burst on to the scene in Beverly Hills almost a decade ago in partnership with Philippe Starck, and has been breaking boundaries ever since with its distinctive style and 360-degree lifestyle offerings. SLS Baha Mar marks the first international venture for SLS Hotels, joining sbe's growing international portfolio and closely following the opening of Mondrian Doha in Qatar. Baha Mar is the fifth SLS hotel overall, adding to its acclaimed portfolio of properties currently open in Beverly Hills, South Beach, Brickell and Las Vegas, and coming soon to new international markets.
Designed to attract the most discerning global traveler, SLS Baha Mar features 299 rooms and suites, an award-winning collection of culinary masterpieces, exciting nightlife venues, and captivating design and decor. Baha Mar's shared world class amenities complete the luxe experience with guest access to the beach and shared pools, the Caribbean's largest casino, 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature designed golf course, a flagship ESPA spa, and a wide variety of restaurants and lounges.
Harnessing sbe's signature specialties in innovative cuisine and dynamic nightlife, on-property the group currently operates Cleo, Monkey Bar (the signature SLS lobby bar) and Bungalow Pool Bar & Grill, all of which were officially commemorated during the November 17 event. Looking ahead for the hotel, Privilege will open in December and Skybar will follow in early 2018. On the Baha Mar Casino floor, Katsuya (sbe's modern take on classic Japanese cuisine) opened in mid-August, and Fi'lia by Chef Michael Schwartz, the James Beard Award winner, is slated for a mid-December opening.
"The Bahamas is one of the most beautiful beach destinations on earth and we're excited to make it one of the best dining destinations, collaborating with the local talent and introducing elevated cuisine from all over the world," says Sebastien Silvestri, Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage, Hotel Division at sbe. "These chefs, some on island for the first time, have been inspired by the local cuisine and infused it into menus creating progressive dishes to surprise and delight our guests."
General Manager of SLS Baha Mar, Richard Alexander, states: "We are all thrilled for this historic opening of SLS Baha Mar, a stunning property that complements the diverse offerings available throughout Baha Mar. We have been honored to welcome top Bahamian talent into the sbe Family, and they are proud to embody and deliver guests our unparalleled Style, Luxury, Service with the charm of the Bahamas."
Additionally, Bond, sbe's nightlife concept, will debut at Baha Mar in mid-December with a grand opening on December 31st. Bond will be the place to be for New Year's Eve and beyond, offering late night sizzle and cutting edge entertainment as the see and be seen spot in the Bahamas. Open until the early morning hours, local and international DJs will entertain from a DJ booth overlooking the dance floor while patrons enjoy the high energy beats with bottle service, private booths and VIP service.
SLS Baha Mar was brought to life by Dakota Development, sbe's real estate development subsidiary, and international interior design firm Avenue Interior Design.
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He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.
