Apes Hill Barbados has retained the services of PR and marketing specialists Azalea to oversee the luxury golf resort and real-estate community’s European and North American golf and lifestyle public relations.
Since launching in 2006, Azalea has established itself as one of Europe’s premier agencies in the golf, tourism, leisure and lifestyle sectors. The appointment to work with Apes Hill Barbados marks an exciting period for the company – which has engaged Dan Shepherd Public Relations (DSPR) for support on the North American side of the business – as another world-class destination is added to a portfolio of clients that includes Terras da Comporta, Quinta do Lago, Costa Navarino and Turnberry.
The partnership is set to correspond with a new chapter for the Caribbean resort after being taken over by majority shareholder and Canadian investor Glenn Chamandy in 2019, whose aim is to redefine Apes Hill as a luxury retreat with a number of key developments over the following 12 months.
Set within 475 acres of natural and unspoilt terrain, Apes Hill Barbados’ championship golf course remains the centrepiece of the resort. Perched 1,000ft above sea level, it is the island’s most elevated layout offering far-reaching views out and over the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Following a complete redesign by renowned course architect Ronald Kirby, the par-72 layout will open its doors to its members and their guests this November and will be complemented with an instruction centre and floodlit driving range, pro shop and halfway house. A family friendly short par-three course, additional 19th hole played to an island green and a contemporary clubhouse will be completed during the first half of 2023.
As the resort re-opens towards the end of next year, guests will be able to enjoy a range of other amenities such as a fitness centre and health club, hiking and nature trails, six flood-lit padel and two tennis courts, while a world-class spa is also in development.
Managing director of Azalea, Sean Noble, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the team at Apes HillBarbados as the resort enters an exciting phase of development. The golf course, which will re-open next month, has all the hallmarks to be one of the world’s best designs in one of the most stunning settings imaginable.
“Add to that an exciting real-estate project and leisure amenities, and we are confident that we can establish Apes Hill Barbados as one of the world’s great golf and lifestyle venues.”
Cheryl Franklin, head of brand development and international marketing at Apes Hill Barbados, said: “We are very excited to be partnering with Azalea to share the unique Apes Hill Barbados story with the world. We were looking for a brand-conscious and strategic partner with a strong competency in golf PR and ultra-luxury positioning and feel a strong kinship in this regard with the team at Azalea. We are looking forward to a rewarding journey ahead as we introduce an exciting new destination product to the international travel and luxury lifestyle arena.”