Fort George Hotel and Spa Launches Lord Ashcroft Centre

A brand-new landmark for business and events has just opened its doors in Belize City. The Lord Ashcroft Centre is being hailed as the first of its kind, a state-of-the-art conference space designed to impress. On Friday night, invited guests got a first look at its sleek design, cutting-edge audio-visual tech, and spacious layout. It’s the final piece in a major facelift for the Fort George Hotel and Spa. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there and brings us the story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

There’s a brand-new hotspot in town and it’s changing the game for events in Belize City. The Lord Ashcroft Centre officially opened its doors Friday night, and it’s already turning heads as the city’s most modern and spacious venue yet. Vice President of Hospitality, Scott McArdle, says this sleek new space marks phase three of a four-part development project, and it’s just getting started.

 

Scott McArdle, Vice President of Hospitality, Fort George Hotel and Spa

“This is essentially phase three of what will be a four-phase project. This is the launch of conference center, the Lord Ashcroft Centre. This will be a real hub, whether it is a wedding, corporate event. A real stage that the Belize setting can showcase both local and international guest.”

 

 

 

 

The center features two halls, Lamanai and Caracol. Combined, they offer over six thousand, six hundred square feet of meeting space. And if you thought the venue was impressive, wait until you see the tech. The Lord Ashcroft Centre pulled out all the stops with cutting-edge audio-visual systems that lit up the launch night. From crystal-clear sound to stunning visuals, the state-of-the-art setup was front and center, and it did not disappoint.

 

 

 

 

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“It is a milestone in the story of Belize City and for our entire country. I think this whole project is transforming this area, this historic zone and this facility, this venue will create a new opportunity for us in what we call MICE tourism, so meetings, incentives, conventions.”

 

 

 

From on screen presentation to live cultural performances, the facility’s audio-visual features were put to the test and passed with flying colors. The number of guests present at the launch was nowhere close to filling the venue. The space can hold up to three hundred and sixty-five guests at capacity. General Manager at the Fort George Hotel and Spa, Eddison Trapp, says it’s the only space of its kind in the entire country.

 

 

 

 

Eddison Trapp, General Manager, Fort George Hotel and Spa

“Considerations given, one the location, the square footage of the property, the AV equipment, the technology that comes with the this conference center, our history of service and our ability to provide service for any walks of clients, whether it is international, a sporting committee, having a wedding, a meeting, one on one discussing education, health, it is an opportunity to customize whatever services you want, we have that flexibility with this new building.”

 

 

Scott McArdle

“Something of this size and magnitude can’t be done in a silo. We have brought together government officials, hospitality and tourism partners and our weight of friends. We want to say thank you for your support and making this a reality, and second, we are here, open for business and ready to be the hub for key events in Belize.”

 

 

Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner hailed the investment as a demonstration of confidence in the city’s business landscape.

 

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“Belize City is open for business. This is a demonstration of confidence by the Lord Ashcroft Conference Centre, putting this sort of investment, clearly is an indicator that Belize City is here to stay and many times we have had the urge to do conference, like myself, I am the chair of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum and we  have always been looking at how could we host that sort of conference in the Caribbean, in Belize City and I am standing here tonight and looking at the centre and saying, Belize City is open for business.”

 

 

 

The Fort George Hotel and Spa is on a mission to redefine luxury in Belize City, one phase at a time. It all started with a fresh new look for the courtyard rooms, kicking off phase one of a major transformation. Then came the relaunch of the iconic tower rooms, and most recently, the unveiling of the sleek and modern Lord Ashcroft Centre. But the best is yet to come. The final phase? A world-class resort that promises to raise the bar for hospitality in Belize.

 

 

 

Scott McArdle

“And that leaves us with when it is all said and done, and in the near future, a hundred and thirty world class rooms, multiple conference spaces. Somewhere no matter you are doing you can relax and enjoy Belize City.”

 

Friday night’s launch saw guests from both the private and public sector, as well as NGOs. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.