By Lindsay Thompson
Bahamas Information Services

GOVERNOR’S HARBOUR, Eleuthera - Legend has it that when Count Alfred de Marigny, son-in-law of the late Sir Harry Oakes, left this resort in Governor’s Harbour years ago without saying goodbye, it was given the name, French Leave.

French Leave is described as one of the most sough-after properties in the Family Islands, overlooking the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean.

Members of the Board of Directors of the Hotel Corporation and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Brent Symonette visited the picturesque resort located in Eleuthera’s oldest settlement on Friday, September 7.

The visit came one day after a town meeting on the proposed French Leave resort development.

Managing Director Paul D Thompson outlined aspects of the project during a tour of the former Club Med facilities, to be renamed French Leave once the multi-million redevelopment has been completed.

Situated on about 265 acres of land, the project includes luxury condominium hotel residences, ocean front villas and home sites, a 50 yacht slip to accommodate vessels up to 200ft, conference facilities, fitness centre, tennis court, water sports programmes, fashion and gift boutiques, spa, club, high speed internet, and other amenities.

"Whenever there is a large resort and concerns about beach access, you have to address it," said Mr. Thompson, the former managing director of the exclusive five-star Lyford Cay Club on New Providence for 25 years. "We are going to put in three additional accesses to the beach; two on the northern end and one on the south end, with parking."

Mr. Thompson also noted that the resort will have its own reverse osmosis plant and sewage treatment plant. The resort will also showcase a number of artifacts used during the 1930s, specifically water pump, which supplied water to residents in Cupid’s Cay.

Target date for completion is November, 2009.

The development team of ECI Resorts comprises principals Eddie Lauth, Robert Poole and Mike Lanigan, Paul D. Thompson, managing director; and Charles Stronach, director of development.

Paul D. Thompson, managing director of the French Leave property in Eleuthera talks about the redevelopment of the former Club Med resort on Friday, September 7. Also pictured are Sir Baltron Bethel, managing director of the Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas; Frederick Lightbourn, Director, Hotel Corporation; and the Hon Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who has ministerial responsibility for the Hotel Corporation.

(BIS Photo: Tim Aylen)
September 12, 2007