CONTACT:  Norbert Beatty / Sandra Espinosa
	         Barbados News Bureau
	         212-593-6400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

	BARBADOS LANDMARK ‘VILLA NOVA’ TO OPEN AS FIVE-STAR RESORT
Vintage Luxury Property Plans Extensive Refurbishment for Fall 1998 Opening

BARBADOS – Villa Nova, a legendary Barbados landmark, will be opening as a five-star luxury resort in the Fall of 1998, announced Mr. Ronald Schällibaum, the property’s owner and developer, during a meeting with representatives from the Barbados Tourism Authority and the Barbados National Trust.

The new 28-room hotel will feature 18 junior suites, 10 one-bedroom suites, library, oversized swimming pool, tennis courts, putting green, billiard room, taxi/limousine service and a gazebo ideal for afternoon teas and weddings.  The hotel also plans to host small conferences and board meetings. The accent at Villa Nova will be on fine dining: three restaurants will offer varied atmospheres and cuisines, welcoming guests and diners to partake in a culinary experience that will surely be counted among the island’s finest.

The premier luxury country hotel in Barbados, Villa Nova was originally built in 1834. Over a century later, it would serve as a home to Sir Anthony Eden, former British Prime Minister.  Distinguished visitors have included Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Sir Winston Churchill and Noel Coward, among others.  Considered to be one of Barbados’ best examples of a 19th-century plantation house, this discreet hideaway is secluded in a 14-acre tropical setting and recalls the colonial style of a bygone era.  The property features panoramic vistas of the east and south coasts of the island, an ideal setting for the traveler seeking both ambiance and tranquility.

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A native of Switzerland and property management specialist, owner/developer Mr. Schällibaum sees his development of Villa Nova as a project “from the heart” in a country he hopes to make his permanent home.

Offering the Caribbean's newest, state-of-the-art convention center and cruise port terminal, Barbados also boasts the region’s highest rate of repeat visitation.  This easternmost Caribbean island, noted for its rugged Atlantic east coast and azure west coast, offers 6,000 guestrooms ranging from US$50-$800 per night, suitable for travelers of any age, taste or special interest.  For more information, call the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1-800-221-9831; in New York, dial 212-986-6516.
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