Bequia beach hotel, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The difference is we keep our natural beautiful environment by implementing a variety of environmentally responsible practices:

• Replanting trees
• Growing our own vegetables and fruit
• Cleaning our beaches daily
• Composting organic waste
• Solar panels for electricity conservation to heat water for hot water supply
• We store rain water with every building having a water tank in the basement, where rain water is collected and used for fresh water supply regardless. We also treat waste water and encourage guest to reuse towels and linen.
• Use of natural and local building materials
• Irrigation plant for waste water treatment

Staff training as per international hospitality norm: 2 Swedish chefs have been training the kitchen staff on international food preparation and hygiene standards during the high season. The local chefs have now taken on full responsibility for the restaurant and are managing exceptionally well by putting their newly acquired skills into practice.
As Operations Manager I am training the rest of the hotel team in front office, housekeeping, accounting, sales & marketing and human recourses standards and practices. I have a Bachelors degree in International Hospitality Management from the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne in Switzerland, and have extensive experience in hotels around the globe with companies such as Ritz Carlton, Rocco Forte and the Savoy Group amongst others.
Employment conditions are set up to meet fair international standards. Salary packages and benefits are above local standards, additional food allowance is paid and a staff canteen is under construction which is unique to the island. Also working time and hours are according to government rules and regulations and working hours are accounted and if overtime is occurred, this is given in time “in lieu”. Staff are proud to be a part of the Bequia Beach team, we organise staff BBQs to encourage bonding and a team atmosphere, as well as group and one on one meetings to evaluate performance, as well as brainstorming and suggestions for improvement.
Most products being purchased are local products. A big effort is made to keep imported products to a minimum as shipping is not economic, leaves a carbon dioxide footprint and is very costly. Thus menus are constructed according to product availability and seasonality to meet the high standards at Bequia Beach.
Bequia Beach places ample importance on supporting the local community. Our guest relation officer is specialized and experienced in all activities and knows of all local partners such as taxi drivers, car rental firms, restaurants, boutiques, excursion and diving packages.