KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston’s new newest hotel the ‘R’ is in its final stages of construction and is on track for opening late summer 2017.

The announcement came at a topping out reception for the hotel last week on the building’s top floor. Located on Renfrew Road in the New Kingston business district, the boutique Business Extended Stay Hotel, which goes up eight floors, is the result of a partnership between noted Architect Evan Williams and prominent Investor Joseph Bogdanovich. 

“Thankfully, the need for more hotel rooms is gradually being met with your 32 high end rooms and 8 two-bedroom apartments being added to the room stock. We recently had the Courtyard by Marriott in New Kingston adding some 129 rooms; the soon-to be reopened former Wyndham New Kingston will bring back some 303 rooms; and Sandals Resorts International’s (SRI) 220-room AC Hotel by Marriott is slated to open for business winter 2019,” Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said, while delivering keynote remarks.

“In conceptualising this project I was responding to a clear and unfulfilled demand for a hotel like the ‘R’ in New Kingston; one that was specifically designed to provide the comforts, conveniences and luxuries required by travelling business executives. It overwhelms me with pleasure that this project has reached the landmark topping out stage, and I am excited that very soon all will be able to share in my vision,”  Williams stated.

According to Bogdanovic, having personally faced a need for the types of services the Renfrew Hotel will offer, it was an obvious investment for him.

“Jamaica is on a path to growth and economic development, which will bring an influx of international business people to the capital. By providing the luxury services they need, the Renfrew Hotel will help to ensure they will always want to return to Kingston,” he added.

The ‘R’ is the first designated corporate rental building to be developed within the New Kingston area. Both Williams and Bogdanovich are quick to point out that the hotel will offer high levels of personal service, with varied business facilities offered, all incorporated into a luxurious setting.  They noted that the target market includes corporate guests with long stay requirements and other persons visiting Kingston for business and leisure activities.

The hotel is to announce special discount rates in coming weeks as it readies for opening.

Balford Henry