Press Release: Sun International Hotels Limited
December 11, 2000
PARADISE ISLAND, The Bahamas -- The legendary Paradise Island hideaway, The Ocean Club, celebrated its spectacular
rebirth in true style Dec. 9 with a rocking, celebrity-studded party. Part of a gala weekend celebration hosted
by Sun International Chairman and CEO Sol Kerzner and attended by a host of celebrities and personalities, the
event was topped off by an impromptu concert which united some of the biggest names in music.
Set in the magical ``Versailles'' gardens of the 108-room luxury resort, the elegant party featured a standing-ovation
performance by jazz great Diana Krall, after which musical star after star took the stage to perform. Among the
greats who wowed the enthusiastic crowd with their spirited ``jam session'' were Whitney Houston and husband Bobby
Brown, Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano, Bebe and Marvin Winans, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, and eight-year-old singer
Vachelle Gil.
The artists joined each other on stage to sing together, with Whitney singing ``Shoop;'' Whitney and Bobby singing
``My Perogative'' and ``Something in Common;'' Stevie and Jose singing ``Light My Fire;'' Whitney, Bebe and Bobby
singing ``I'll Take You There;'' Stevie singing ``Don't You Worry About a Thing,'' and Jose and Gloria closing
with ``Feliz Navidad,'' with Emilio accompanying the singers on drums throughout the program.
Rocking in the audience were celebrities and personalities including Natasha Richardson, Ray Liotta, Michael Jordan,
Star Jones, Cicely Tyson, Carol Alt, Beverly Johnson, Lee Iacocca, Tommy Mottola, Alan Grubman, Denise Rich and
Sandy and Joan Weill.
Throughout the weekend, guests feasted on the Caribbean-infused cuisine of world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten,
whose new restaurant, Dune, also debuted this month at the Ocean Club.
After a spectacular $100 million renaissance, The Ocean Club reopens as an expanded, fully restored luxury destination
for the most discriminating travelers. While preserving the timeless elegance and superlative service which has
made the resort an international jet set hideaway for the past 60 years, the new Ocean Club offers a host of fresh
amenities and facilities for a new generation of visitors to this Bahamian paradise. The resort now includes 50
new oceanfront rooms and suites and the property's existing 58 rooms, suites and villas as well as all public areas
and grounds were also completely renovated, restored to their original grandeur. A new reception area greets guests
with expansive views of the ocean from a dramatic 14-foot terrace. In fall 2001, the full-service Ocean Club Spa
by Mandara will open on the property, featuring a variety of rejuvenating treatments.
The brand new championship 18-hole Ocean Club Golf Course, designed by Tom Weiskopf, also debuted this weekend,
hosting the Office Depot Father/Son Challenge, a tournament which airs throughout the weekend on NBC-TV and attracted
such golf greats as Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Gary Player -- all of whom competed alongside their sons.
The Ocean Club features butler service to accommodate every guest, which includes packing and unpacking, dinner
and activity reservations, personal wake-up calls, daily fruit bowl delivery and in-room afternoon tea, champagne,
and strawberry services. To truly meet the needs of today's world-class traveler, Crescent Wing guestrooms also
feature the latest in cutting-edge technology, including internet access, a portable telephone, DVD and CD player,
and DMX music.
The Ocean Club's restoration has been carefully designed to preserve the resort's classic plantation look and fabled
history. Since its inception over 60 years ago, the property has been an exclusive refuge for Hollywood, royals,
and heads of state who treasure its privacy, elegance and unparalleled service. Sun International purchased the
Ocean Club and the surrounding property in 1994. For more information and reservations, visit the resort's new
website, www.OceanClub.com or call the Ocean Club at 800-321-3000.
SOURCE: Sun International Hotels Limited