Ernest ‘Ernie’ Smatt, principal, Shaw Park Hotel and Water Sports Enterprises and Jamaica Observer Business Leader 2005 nominee, threw open the doors, Friday evening last, of his latest multimillion-dollar project, The White House Grand Cayman.

Located in Bodden Town, the island’s one-time capital, the property, which sits on five acres, was gutted by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and restored by Smatt. Restoration cost: CI$15 million.

Restoring it was a labour of love, which took Smatt and his dedicated team almost four years to complete.

The opulent property was once owned by Ralph Englestad, the former owner of Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, who would fly his friends to Cayman aboard his matching 727s, reconfigured to seat a mere 16 guests. Smatt himself is no stranger to the rich and famous, and used to entertain Hollywood legends Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher.

Smatt declares the White House “the finest exclusive facility of this kind in the Caribbean — it’s not overpriced, but it’s not cheap”.

What is available is an exclusive waterfront venue for dining, leisure, exclusive weddings, cocktail events and corporate retreats.

“Although officially opened this evening,” explained Smatt, “we have for the past year hosted a few exclusive weddings, corporate events and parties.”

Smatt is not, however, placing all his eggs in one basket. Indeed, there are expressions of interest from Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines for their VIP travellers (Cayman attracts some 1.6 million cruise ship passengers). With one-time Associate VP, Shore Excursions David Llewellyn on location Friday night, we reckon things are already moving at an accelerated pace.

The 6,000-square foot deck with two private ‘island’ cabanas on either side that are connected to the main deck is, in a word, impressive. That, as well as the self-contained Gatsby-themed club wing which is made up of three interconnecting rooms and a bar that are joined by a series of striking hand-crafted wooden arches. Each of the four rooms open out to the private pool terrace overlooking the deck.

“My interest is not necessarily money,” explains Smatt, “but a project… I have created something that’s meaningful both to Cayman and the Caribbean.” Judging from the feedback, it’s no idle boast!

CAPTIONS:

PHOTOGRAPHER: GARFIELD ROBINSON

[FOLDER: 2015-11-10 – TO BE FIXED – CBR]

_DSC0292.JPG

Developer and hotelier Ernest ‘Ernie’ Smatt (front row, third left) joins his companion and executive assistant Beverley Henry (front row, second left) and (from left) David Llewellyn, retired cruise exec and entrepreneur; his wife Rosie; Hugh Hart, founding partner of Hart, Muirhead & Fatta; Novia McDonald-Whyte, Jamaica Observer senior associate editor – Lifestyle & Social Content; Asha Issa, and her husband Joseph ‘Joey’ Issa, founder of the Cool Group of Companies; Michael Alberga, attorney-at-law; businessman Sanju Chatani and his wife Krisha.

_DSC0329.JPG

Developer and hotelier Ernest ‘Ernie’ Smatt addresses guests at last week Friday’s official opening of The White House.

_DSC0361.JPG

The animated trio of (from left) The White House, Grand Cayman developer Ernest ‘Ernie’â Smatt; Miss Cayman Islands 2015 Tonie Chisholm; and Alva Sukkoo, acting minister of Sports cut the ribbon to The White House, Grand Cayman estate.

_DSC0405.JPG

The floating deck anchored by tiki huts at the left and right wings.

_DSC0423.JPG & _DSC0429.JPG

The White House, Grand Cayman