Recently Reopened Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina Appoints New Leadership Team
SCRUB ISLAND, British Virgin Islands (Nov. 30 2020) – Mainsail Lodging & Development is pleased to announce the appointment of Dornelle Hazel as assistant general manager, and the addition of Michael Schoonewagen as general manager of the recently reopened Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina in the British Virgin Islands. Hazel will handle day-to-day resort management and ensure proper guest and staff engagement, while Schoonewagen oversees resort and marina operations, with special attention to compliance with health protocols outlined by the BVI government. The exclusive private island resort reopened Dec. 1 to overnight visitors and marina guests, following a months-long closure of the entire Caribbean territory earlier this year due to the coronavirus.
“As a loyal part of the Mainsail Lodging & Development team for the past five years, Dornelle understands service and quality expectations for the resort, and has proven himself ready to advance to the next level,” said Joe Collier, President of Mainsail Lodging & Development. “When you couple that with Michael’s stellar career in luxury travel, his knowledge of the industry, and his passion for exceptional service, it creates a dream team perfectly suited for this responsibility, especially in light of changing travel demands.”
With more than a decade in the travel industry, Hazel has spent the past five years worked as senior resort host, front of house manager, and director of rooms operations at Scrub Island Resort, and most recently served as acting general manager. Having played an integral role in the reopening of the resort in 2018, following the devastating 2017 hurricanes, Hazel was presented the “Triumph of Spirit Award” at the Marriot Power of One Conference in 2019. He has recently completed a Masters Certificate in Hospitality from Cornell University.
Prior to joining Scrub Island, Schoonewagen was general manager of the five-star Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski in the Commonwealth of Dominica. Born in South Africa, and having grown up in Holland, South Africa and France, Schoonewagen’s portfolio also has an international flair, including renowned properties in Monte Carlo, St. Tropez, The Comores, Moscow, Portugal and Mauritius. Prior to Dominica, he spent five years as general manager of The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, and four years at the helm of Belmond La Samanna in St. Martin. An internationally trained hotel manager, Schoonewagen completed his studies in the renowned Swiss hotel school, Centre International de Glion, and speaks fluent English, French, Dutch and Portuguese, as well as conversational German and Spanish.
Situated on its own private island in the British Virgin Islands, the AAA Four-Diamond Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina is tucked along a rugged cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and neighboring islands. The resort has offered a serene haven for travelers since opening in 2010, providing exceptional on-island experiences and an ideal location for island-hopping exploration of the best of the BVI. The resort offers several overnight options for guests and sailing vessels, with 52 guest accommodations, including suites with gourmet kitchens, spacious living areas and private/oversized balconies, as well as a collection of two-, three-, four- and six-bedroom villas, and a 55-slip marina with five for mega yachts up to 170 feet. Two private beaches, a waterfront infinity pool, an intimate spa, world-class dining, and on-site access to dive and sailing charters complete the overall experience on Scrub Island. A year-round tropical climate, balmy breezes and crystal-clear waters are the perfect setting to enjoy other island adventures, such as hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling and more. An on-site boutique with high-end resort wear and accessories, sundries shop with grab & go options, and full-service provisions store with gourmet foods, fresh produce, meats, seafood, beer, wine, spirits and more are all available to resort and mooring guests.
In accordance with guidelines established by the British Virgins Islands government, all overnight guests at Scrub Island must adhere to a set of specific protocols and restrictions, which are outlined on the destination’s official travel website. As a member of Marriott’s prestigious Autograph Collection, the resort also follows the brand’s Commitment to Clean program, providing a safe environment for guests and staff.
For reservations or more information, visit ScrubIsland.com or call (877) 890-7444.
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About Mainsail Lodging & Development LLC
Mainsail Lodging & Development is a Tampa-based hospitality company that develops and operates lodging products in the Southeastern U.S. and the Caribbean. Their property portfolio includes five Autograph Collection hotels: Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (ScrubIsland.com), a private island resort in the British Virgin Islands; the boutique, food-focused Epicurean Hotel (EpicureanHotel.com) in Tampa, Florida; Waterline Marina Resort (WaterlineResort.com) on Anna Maria Island, Florida; the historic Fenway Hotel (FenwayHotel.com) in Dunedin, Florida and the riverfront Luminary Hotel & Co. (LuminaryHotel.com) in downtown Fort Myers, Florida; as well as Mainsail Beach Inn (MainsailBeachInn.com), a boutique beachfront hotel on Anna Maria Island, Florida and The Karol Hotel (TheKarolHotel.com), the first Tribute Portfolio hotel in Pinellas County, Florida. The company also operates corporate housing throughout the U.S. under its Mainsail Corporate Housing brand (MainsailHousing.com). Mainsail Lodging also manages a portfolio of private vacation homes through its Mainsail Vacation Rentals (MainsailVR.com) offered on Homes & Villas by Marriott International. Additional future projects include the 179-room Epicurean Atlanta (EpicureanHotelAtlanta.com); a 128-room Residence Inn in conjunction with an indoor sports complex in Pasco County, Florida; Wylie Hotel, an independent boutique hotel in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward (WylieHotel.com); and a historic boutique hotel in Macon, Georgia. Mainsail Lodging’s corporate charity is Feeding Tampa Bay, the largest food rescue and distribution organization in the community. Mainsail actively supports the cause through a variety of employee and guest programs ranging from packing and sorting at the warehouse, to annual events such as the Epic Chef Showdown. Learn more at MainsailHotels.com
About Autograph Collection Hotels
Autograph Collection Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its over 180 independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across more than 35 countries and territories. Each is a product of passion and a personal realization of its individual founder’s vision, making each hotel singular and special: Exactly Like Nothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection hotels offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. For more information, please visit www.autographhotels.com, and explore our social media channels on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or follow along to be inspired by immersive moments that are #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Autograph Collection Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott’s travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz- Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enrol for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.