The Fairmont Southampton hotel, currently under renovation, hosted Government’s Cabinet meeting this week
Hardhats are not the usual required uniform for Cabinet meetings – regardless of how tense they may become.
This week, however, was an exception.
Premier David Burt and his team of Ministers held their discussions not at the Cabinet building, but at the under-construction Fairmont Southampton property.
Bermuda’s largest hotel, shuttered since 2020, is under renovation ahead of its planned reopening in 2026.
The Cabinet held their usual meeting at the Boundary Sports Bar and Grill, but were then escorted on a tour of the property by Chris Maybury and other representatives of Gencom affiliate Westend Properties, along with contractors.
Cabinet members toured the lobby, ballroom, pool, spa and restaurants, and saw the ongoing transformation of the Beach Club and the former Whaler Inn – now renamed the Ocean Club.
The exterior of the hotel is being stripped, refinished and repainted, and all 593 guest rooms are being refurbished.
Premier Burt said the work at the iconic resort has progressed significantly, and that the Beach Club, once complete promises to be one of the best ocean-front amenities in the world.
A Government press release states that there are approximately 320 workers on site at this time, and since the start of the renovation project more than 400 skilled individuals have been involved – including 18 local contractors and sub-contractors.
Westend Properties, owners of the Fairmont Southampton, recently reaffirmed that they have the required financing in place for the hotel’s renovation – and look forward to welcoming guests in 2026.
More Photos & Government of Bermuda press release below…
Government of Bermuda Press Release:
Earlier this week, the Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP and Ministers of the Cabinet held their weekly meeting at the Fairmont Southampton property and were then taken on a tour to view the ongoing renovations at the hotel.
The Cabinet meeting was held at the Boundary Sports Bar and Grill, with Ministers then escorted to view the property by Westend Properties Limited representative, Mr. Chris Maybury and representatives from the Fairmont Southampton, Gencom/Westend Properties Limited and project contractors.
The tour started at the main hotel where extensive renovations are taking place in the lobby, ballroom, pool, spa and restaurants. The exterior of the hotel is being stripped, refinished and repainted and all 593 guest rooms are being refurbished.
Cabinet members were transported to the Beach Club where work to transform the beach-side facilities is already well advanced. Renovations to the Ocean Club, formerly the Whaler Inn, are substantially complete. The works included a full roof replacement and structural repairs, along with foundation work to support new facilities such as an open-air beachside restaurant, pool area, changing rooms, and maintenance room spaces.
Premier Burt said, “The work taking place at the Fairmont Southampton, one of Bermuda’s most iconic resorts, has progressed significantly. It was an informative tour for Cabinet members to see how the revitalised property will assist in ensuring that Bermuda remains a leading luxury destination in the region. Once completed, the new Beach Club promises to be one of the best ocean-front amenities in the world.”
There are currently approximately 320 workers on site and since the start of the renovation project more than 400 skilled individuals have been involved, including 18 local contractors and sub-contractors.
The hotel is scheduled to re-open in 2026, providing more than 600 permanent employment opportunities for Bermudians.
