Set to open in 2010, it will compete head to head with the world famous Atlantis, which is on the adjacent Paradise Island.

The deal, originally forged in November 2005, is now expanding by $400 million and will take up a 1,000 acre site. Dubbed Baha Mar, the resort will be owned by Harrah’s Entertainment and Baha Mar Resorts Ltd, which will have four hotels operated by Starwood. When complete, the mixed use resort will be the Caribbean's largest single-phase destination resort. It will also be the largest, single hospitality investment in the region, and creating a unique resort metropolis in terms of its setting, design, operation, and services.

Harrah's Entertainment, the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment, will operate a new 1,000-room Caesars Resort Hotel and 95,000-square foot casino. This development was the first Caesars project announced since Caesars Entertainment was acquired by Harrah's in June 2005.

Baha Mar will feature the first and only collection of four Starwood brands at a single resort. This will consist of a 300-room W at Baha Mar, including 100 condo units; a 300-room St. Regis at Baha Mar, including 100 condo units, a 700-room Westin at Baha Mar; and a 700-room Sheraton at Baha Mar all of which will be managed by Starwood. In addition to the hotels, Starwood's Bliss and Remede branded luxury spas are also planned at the W and St. Regis, respectively.

“We believe this integrated resort represents an auspicious international debut for the Caesars brand, and offers some insight into the sort of high-profile gaming-entertainment projects we plan to pursue in promising global markets in coming years,”  said Gary Loveman, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.

With Caribbean-inspired design elements that fuse the area's Colonial, European and African influences with the region's lush natural landscapes and waterscapes, Baha Mar is expected to captivate guests from the moment they arrive on property and are led to the resort's open-air porte-cochere by an expansive water boulevard and 55-foot-high circular waterfall.

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Baha Mar Resorts is also planning a free-standing luxury spa facility – the largest in the Caribbean; an eco-water park attraction with show lake for live performances and events; 175,000 square feet of meeting space; and a 20-acre beach and pool experience with 3,000 feet of continuous beachfront. Baha Mar plans also will include a 50,000 square foot village with upscale retail, chef-branded restaurants, and entertainment venues. An extensive renovation to the current 550-room Wyndham Nassau Resort is also planned, bringing the number of hotels on the property to six. A variety of residential units will also be included in the initial phase. All together, the resort will offer a total of 3,550 guest rooms, making it the largest in the Caribbean.

Together, Baha Mar Resorts and its partners will build, manage and own the mixed-use destination resort's hotels and casino. Harrah's and Starwood will operate their respective branded properties, while Baha Mar Resorts will operate cross-property services to assure a seamless guest experience.

Construction will begin later this year. Future phases of Baha Mar will include additional hotels, a variety of residential offerings, and a second 18-hole golf course. An agreement with Nicklaus Design to develop an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course as part of Phase 1 was previously announced. The Baha Mar Nicklaus Signature Course would be the only championship-quality course in Nassau.

 “The partnership marks a significant occasion for The Islands Of The Bahamas,” stated The Hon. Obie H. Wilchcombe, Bahamas Minister of Tourism. “The planned revitalization of the Cable Beach area and development of Baha Mar will only further establish The Bahamas as the premier island destination for vacationers and business travelers alike.”

So far Kerzner International is being gracious in regards to the impending competition. In a note sent to Reuter’s Kerzner Chief Operating Officer Paul O'Neil said:  "This ... will only add to the overall tourism draw to the region."
 
The Atlantic resort  has more than 2,300 guest accommodations – the Royal Towers, Coral Towers and Beach Tower – over 35 restaurants, bars and lounges, the most exciting casino in the Caribbean, extensive meeting facilities including the largest ballroom in the Bahamas/Caribbean region, and a marina capable of handling the largest of private luxury vessels.

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