St. Maarten Heineken Regatta - An island-wide effort

by St. Maarten Heineken Regatta on 1 Mar 2015 This year's 35th edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is nothing less than an island-wide effort. Besides the sponsors, countless volunteers and the numerous local organizations that offer their excellent services, the Regatta Organizers would like to say special thanks to the hotels which are so generous to donate complimentary hotel rooms for the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

The Organizers are really grateful that again so many hotels were eager to partner up with the annual event. They would like to thank their long-time supporters such as Princess Port de Plaisance, Simpson Bay Resort, Belair Beach Hotel, Holland House and Divi Little Bay for their great support by offering the Regatta Organization multiple hotel rooms for a longer term. The hotels make the Regatta Organization able to accommodate their indispensable international judges and media team who come to our island from all over the world.

'One of our goals is to generate return visitors, not solely for the Regatta, but definitely also in low season. Sailors, spectators, race officials and media will return for their own private vacation if they had a fantastic experience. St. Maarten is a great place during the Regatta, but sometimes even nicer when you don't have to work.' says Regatta Director, Michele Korteweg.

Even a smaller, boutique hotel like Blue Pelican showed generosity by making a room available. Blue Pelican, with only 13 apartments for rent, offers the same comfort, but more intimacy and privacy than the bigger hotels. Furthermore, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Organizers are really happy that this year the French side is supporting them again. Mercure St. Martin is 'A one-of-a-kind paradise under the tropical sun.'

Based in the centre of all Regatta happenings, Atrium Resort and Spa is accommodating the Principle Race Officer, who couldn't be happier being only walking distance from his office.

Korteweg explains that 'it's always a pleasure accommodating everyone. Most of our race officials and media are very loyal to 'their' hotel and want to have the same room the following year. Obviously we always try to accommodate them, but sometimes they gain a new experience at another hotel. We've never had complaints about any of the hotels. The staff and management look after our guests extremely well. Even nicer is that our guests recommend hotels to their family and friends, generating business for the hotels as a result.'

The Regatta Organizers are proud to welcome new hotel supporters this year. Horizon View Beach Hotel, Carl's Unique Inn and the Summit Resort Hotel are the hotels who joined this years' list of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta Official Hotel Supporters.

Regatta Director, Michele Korteweg, adds: 'We always claim that it takes a whole island to throw a party this big, and it's true. Without the support of the local community and businesses, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta would have never become the biggest Regatta in the Caribbean. We are very proud and thankful of the support of the hotels.'