Update on Brac Beach and Cobalt Coast Resorts

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Article about the New CBBR on the Cayman News, click the link to see some pictures:

https://cnsbusiness.com/2016/01/18/brac-hotel-upgraded-renamed-and-reimagined/

Brac hotel upgraded, renamed and ‘reimagined’
Cayman News | 18/01/2016 | 2 Comments


(CNS): Following major renovations made to the Little Cayman Beach Resort in 2009, which resulted in raising the occupancy to 85% in 2015 – an increase of about 20% since 2008 – the owners have now turned their attention to the Cayman Brac Beach Resort, formerly the Brac Reef. Phase one, a large free-form pool and two-storey bar and observation deck, has been completed, and was officially opened last Friday.


Siblings Emily Tibbetts Allenbach, Michael Tibbetts and Jessica Tibbetts Buchanan, whose grandfather, the late Linton Tibbetts, built the Brac Reef and whose father, the late Dan Tibbetts, built the Little Cayman Beach Resort and started the hotels’ dive operation, Reef Divers, have now bought out other family members in the ownership of the Brac hotel.


They have also purchased Cobalt Coast on the northwest shore of Grand Cayman, creating a chain of hotels, all services by Reef Divers, and a presence on all three islands, operating under the parent company, JEM Holdings.


By renaming the Brac hotel, they are emphasizing the fact that it is in the Cayman Islands, Michael Tibbetts told CNS Business, but the resort needs more than rebranding; it needs to be “reimagined”.


While the hotel was rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Paloma in 2008, Tibbetts noted that the grounds and layout have not been reimagined since the resort was built in 1985.


“We wanted to create a new centre piece to give a ‘wow’ factor to the property,” he said, referring to the solid concrete beach bar with an upper deck providing a look-out over the pool and beach. The idea, he said, was to recreate the feel of the old wooden pier, which people loved but was destroyed in Paloma, without the risk of it being blown down again in the next storm.


The large free-form pool, half of which is 3 feet and under for children to play and includes a ramp entry, an 8-foot section for scuba lessons and submerged bar stools on the ocean side, connects the hotel to the beach and makes it even more family-friendly, Tibbetts said.


However, he said the resort remains primarily for divers, who are looking for great food, excellent service and top-notch dive boats. “And that’s what we want to provide.”


Phase Two will be to renovate the 40 guest rooms. However, the Tibbetts trio have also purchased 360 feet of prime beachfront property to the west of the hotel for possible future expansion.


Ray Faulkner, President of JEM Holdings, told CNS Business that they will be evaluating the results of the investment so far to determine the occupancy and revenue, which will shape future investment.


Occupancy at the Brac hotel suffered from the highs of the 1980’s and 1990’s, first from 9/11 in 2001, then Hurricane Ivan in 2004, then Paloma, he said, but on top of that, Cayman Brac is suffering from an identity crisis, caught between Little Cayman, which is “quaint”, and Grand Cayman.


Little Cayman sells itself, Faulkner said. The renowned Bloody Bay Wall is consistently listed as one of the world’s top dive sites, whereas the Brac is often overlooked even though the diving is comparable.


“It’s important to the property to promote the fact that there is great diving here as well,” he said. However, the Brac also has more on offer, for example with its modern airport it is better situated for transportation, and could be positioned as having all the amenities of Grand Cayman without the related hassles, he said.


While vacations that encompass two or three islands are not practical for divers due to the required interval between diving and flying, with resorts on all three Cayman Islands they can try to keep people “in the family” for their next vacation, he noted.


However, the company, with its strong roots to the islands remain sensitive to its heritage. “We want responsible development, not to change the culture of the islands,” Faulkner said.
 
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The Grand Cayman Cobalt Coast Resort is offering a New Years special, see below. The advertised price is based on 5 nights and 4 days but the article says that modifications can be made based on the prevailing rates. $500 holds your reservation and it is completely refundable but you have to book by Feb 10.

https://www.facebook.com/CobaltCoast/photos/a.10150342059419669.392471.71426719668/10153904541879669/?type=3

New Year, New Dive Special Only $1,125!*


Must Call to Book: 877-673-8864


Offer includes 5 nights accommodations plus 4 days of 2-tank boat trips with our unique valet diving service, free use of dive computer, unlimited shore diving at Cobalt's house reef, breakfast, welcome cocktail upon arrival and round-trip airport transfers


*Certain restrictions apply. This offer is based on availability. These offers may not be combined with any other promotion. $500 deposit holds reservation. Completely refundable. Modifications may be made using prevailing rates. Special promotion expires February 10, 2016.*Certain restrictions apply. This offer is based on availability. These offers may not be combined with any other promotion. $500 deposit holds reservation. Completely refundable. Modifications may be made using prevailing rates. Special promotion expires February 10, 2016.
 
Nice. Newton 42?
 
Nice. Newton 42?

I don't know but here is another pic of the new boat:
Photos from Little Cayman Beach Resort's... - Little Cayman Beach Resort | Facebook

When we were at LCBR in November we were on one of the "Sister" Boats from Brac. One of the divemasters told us that Reef Divers was taking advantage of the remodeling at Brac to refurbish some of their boats. He also said that due to the expansion to include Cobalt Coast, they were expecting to get at least one - maybe two - new boats at LCBR.

It looks like the did get one new boat, we will have to wait and see if they get another one, of if any of the other Tibbetts properties get new boats for the dive op.
 
It looks like a Newton 46. The 42 and 46 are essentially the same except that the 46 has been stretched ~4 feet near the center of the hull.
 
I just posted a question on facebook asking if it is a Newton 42 or 46, I'll let you know if they respond.
 
Maybe I'm just uninformed, but I have a question about the new Cobalt Coast dive operation.

On all of our previous visits to CC, there were many days were they dive boats could not safely dock, and we were driven to the nearby Dive Tech Lighthouse point location. Won't the new dive operation have the same problem? Do they have different boats that can reliably dock at Cobalt Coast?
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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