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>DAWN BEACH:--- Last month, Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Hotel (www.princessheights.com) in St. Maarten was officially awarded the “Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Guest Ratings and Reviews” by the international online travel agency Hotels.com, part of Expedia Inc., one of the most important online travel corporations in the world.
This certificate recognizes accommodation properties which receive the highest guest reviews and ratings as part of the feedback that guests leave at Hotels.com regarding the service provided by the property they booked.
“This latest award is an affirmation of the commitment and dedication of every staff member at Princess Heights Read more

Princess Heights Hotel, St. Maarten, Awarded With Certificate Of Recognition By Hotels.Com

DAWN BEACH, St. Maarten – Last month, Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Hotel (www.princessheights.com) in St. Maarten was officially awarded the "Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Guest Ratings and Reviews" by the international online travel agency Hotels.com, part of Expedia Inc., one of the most important online travel corporations in the world.

This certificate recognizes accommodation properties which receive the highest guest reviews and ratings as part of the feedback that guests leave at Hotels.com regarding the service provided by the property they booked.

"This latest award is an affirmation of the commitment and dedication of every staff member at Princess Heights Read more

Lee midway through CHTA tenure, outlines changes

DAWN BEACH--The first St. Maarten person to be elected to Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's (CHTA's) highest post of President Emil Lee is approaching the halfway-mark of his two-year tenure, and says that he is happy to see the association moving in the right direction on a number of fronts.

In an interview with The Daily Herald he outlined both recent and on-going changes within the CHTA at varying stages of implementation, marking its move towards becoming more efficient and a transparent facilitator and thought leader, as well as his hopes for the future.

Lee first shared that what many people don't realise is that he had been elected for the post a year before starting in July 2014 Read more

Emil Lee And Leopold James- Agents Of Change

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Dear Ladies and Gentleman, thank you for attending this ceremony. For many reasons, this is a moment that I wanted to share with family, friends and colleagues.

Without a doubt, being recognized and appreciated as a valued member of the community by a group like the St Martin Grass Roots People's movement is wonderful. Many thanks to Leopold, Jessie and the rest of the movement.

But in my opinion, this isn't the real story here tonight. There is a much more interesting story to tell.
Up to about 3 or 4 years ago, Leopold James and Emil Lee would have been perceived as polar opposites and perhaps even as adversaries or enemies Read more

Economic framework ‘good’ although not yet convincing

PHILIPSBURG--Stakeholders are still digesting the content of the newly-presented draft National Economic Framework. While the initiative is lauded to various extents, a common sentiment amongst private-sector stakeholders approached by The Daily Herald is that the outlook on follow-through is not entirely convincing, given that past initiatives have been very similar and have not necessarily delivered results.

Some participants were left feeling that once again they were going through the motions, not hearing anything new, and as though past initiatives such as the Tourism Master Plan simply had been left on the shelf.

The framework was presented to private- and public-sector officials by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) at a National Economic Summit on Friday and has been a year in the making by the Department of Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication EVT.

Stakeholders were presented a 53-page document and their input will be considered by the ministry, which highlighted the need to achieve a "shared comprehensive vision." Private-sector stakeholders told this newspaper that cooperation indeed was essential to moving forward.

Oyster Bay Resort General Manager Ricardo Perez said it was a good initiative, but it would be more useful if the previous initiatives were to be "dusted off" and put to action, or that they should have been updated on what progress had been made on those recommendations.

Princess Heights Hotel General Manager Emil Lee shared the sentiments, although he said the goals were admirable Read more

Princess Heights added to TripAdvisor Hall of Fame

DAWN BEACH--Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo Hotel announced on Sunday that it has been recognised as a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame winner, and that there would be special rates available in June for residents of St. Maarten and neighbouring islands.

TripAdvisor's Hall of Fame was created to honour businesses that have earned a Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years; the recognition is only issued to establishments that consistently achieve great traveller reviews.

This is the latest in a number of customer service and quality-related recognition awards granted to Princess Heights Read more

Princess Heights Hotel Inducted Into 'Hall Of Fame' Of Tripadvisor.Com And Launches Last Minute Special For Area Residents

DAWN BEACH, Sint Maarten – Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo today announced that it has been recognized as a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame winner.

This certificate was created to honor those businesses that have earned a Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years. This recognition is only issued to establishments that consistently achieve great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.

Marc Charron, President of TripAdvisor for Business. "By putting a spotlight on businesses that are focused on consistently delivering great service to customers, TripAdvisor not only helps drive an improvement to hospitality standards around the world, it also gives businesses both large and small the ability to shine and stand out from the competition."

This is the latest in a number of customer service and quality related recognition awards granted to Princess Heights Read more

Sarah to lobby opposition for audit chamber investigation

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams said she will be lobbying her fellow opposition members to bring about an investigation by the General Audit Chamber into the security contract between St Read more

>Dawn Beach:---  St. Maarten, May 15, 2015: During a meeting held at the premises of the property on May 14, Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Hotel was officially awarded with the "Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Guest Ratings and Reviews" by the international online travel agency Hotels.com, part of Expedia Inc., one of the most important online travel corporations in the world.
This certificate recognizes accommodation properties which receive the highest guest reviews and ratings as part of the feedback that guest leave at hotels.com regarding the service provided by the property they booked.

"This latest award is an affirmation of the commitment and dedication of every staff member at Princess Heights Read more

Princess Heights Hotel Awarded With Certificate Of Recognition For High Quality Service By Hotels.Com

DAWN BEACH, St. Maarten - During a meeting held at the premises of the property on May 14, Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Hotel was officially awarded with the "Certificate of Recognition for Exceptional Guest Ratings and Reviews" by the international online travel agency Hotels.com, part of Expedia Inc., one of the most important online travel corporations in the world.

This certificate recognizes accommodation properties which receive the highest guest reviews and ratings as part of the feedback that guest leave at hotels.com regarding the service provided by the property they booked.

"This latest award is an affirmation of the commitment and dedication of every staff member at Princess Heights Read more

SMHGC and Checkmate Security Contract does not look legitimate says MPs.

style="text-align: center;">Handwritten changes was made on the contract, which is termed as being illegal.

PHILPSBURG:---- During the continuation meeting on Thursday regarding the contract between Checkmate Security and Government owned company St. Maarten Harbor Group of Companies (SMHGC) Members of Parliament were told that there is only one contract between the government owned company and Checkmate Security, and that Members of Parliament cannot obtain a copy but could only peruse the five page document Read more

Sarah opts out of Parlatino meetings

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams has "opted out" of attending meetings of the Latin American Parliament Parlatino slated for May.

Wescot-Williams said at a DP press conference at Parliament House on Monday that she had decided not to attend the meetings.

She called for Parliament "to discuss the effectiveness of the meetings" and the benefit to the country Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament representing the Democratic Party faction Sarah Wescot Williams and the party's advisor Emil Lee told reporters on Monday that they are not amused by the request sent by the State Council to St Read more

Sarah says ‘didn’t know’ meeting lacked quorum

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams says she "didn't know" Monday's aborted Central Committee meeting to deal with the draft law to establish the integrity chamber did not have a quorum Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the Democratic Party and Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams along with the party's advisor Emil Lee stressed that the government of St Read more

Tourist dies after falling

DAWN BEACH--A man died after falling and hitting his head on a rock at the entrance of Princess Heights Hotel in Dawn Beach, Saturday night.

A source stated that the victim was a tourist who had been driving his car despite being heavily intoxicated. He did not manage to drive his car up the hill at the junction of Oyster Pond Road and Princess Heights, so he got out of his car and continued on foot. However, shortly after getting out of his car he lost his balance and fell, hitting his head.

Despite paramedics being called to the scene, the man could not be revived.

St Read more

Sarah: MPs still to work out coping with reduced budget

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament still has to readjust its finances to cope with an almost NAf. 2 million budget cut that came with its adoption of the 2015 Country Budget in January.

Parliament originally submitted a budget for its operational expenses totalling some NAf. 12.8 million, said Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams at a party press conference Monday in Parliament Building Read more

DP MP Concerned about Parliament’s 2015 Budget. 0.58% set aside for Legal Advice.

style="text-align: center;">Budget cut by almost Naf.2M, MPs Travelling continues.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Sara Wescot Williams shared much concern on the parliament's budget for the year 2015 on Monday at a press conference. Wescot Williams and the party's advisor Emil Lee said that they are of the opinion that the Parliament of St Read more

Sarah calls for discussion on companies’ annual accounts

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has called for the examination of the annual accounts of all government-owned companies in a meeting of Parliament's Permanent Committee for Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication.

This urgent meeting request has been communicated to committee chairman MP Frans Richardson (United St Read more

style="text-align: center;">Says Government knows who the owners of companies are that are doing business with Government Owned Companies.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the Democratic Party and Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams and the party advisor Emil Lee expressed concerns on the attitude displayed by some Government Owned Companies Read more

Princess Heights Awarded Prestigious Green Key Eco-Label Certification

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) awarded Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo Hotel with the first and only Green Key Eco-label certification in St. Maarten, solidifying St. Maarten's reputation as a destination that is serious about the environment.

"Here at Princess Heights, we've been using Green Key guidelines as a model for best practices for many years," said Emil Lee, General Manager of Princess Heights.

"If 'being green' translated to higher prices, it would not be sustainable for businesses to make green choices.

We believe that the Green Key model is straightforward, good for the environment, good for the island and good for tourism," Lee continued.

International Green Key Director Finn Thomsen of the non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which owns and runs the program, was on hand to mark the hotel's Green Key inauguration.

This was the first inauguration he has attended in the Caribbean Read more

Princess Heights Awarded Green Key Eco-Label

St. Maarten -The Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) awarded Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo Hotel with the first and only Green Key Eco-Label certification in St. Maarten, solidifying St. Maarten’s reputation as a destination that is serious about the environment.

“Here at Princess Heights, we’ve been using Green Key guidelines as a model for best practices for many years,” said Emil Lee, General Manager of Princess Heights.  “If ‘being green’ translated to higher prices, it would not be sustainable for businesses to make green choices Read more

Princess Heights Awarded Prestigious Green Key Eco-Label Certification.

>PHILIPSBURG:---- The Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) awarded Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo Hotel with the first and only Green Key Eco-label certification in St. Maarten, solidifying St. Maarten's reputation as a destination that is serious about the environment.
"Here at Princess Heights, we've been using Green Key guidelines as a model for best practices for many years," said Emil Lee, General Manager of Princess Heights Read more

DP: Country’s marketing seemingly at standstill

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten's tourism marketing in the Netherlands, the United States and Canada seems to be at a standstill with no representation in Europe and the expiration of the contracts for the North American market, according to Democratic Party (DP) Parliament fraction advisor Emil Lee.

Lee joined party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams at Parliament House on Monday for a party press conference at which they discussed various issues the party is pursuing and is pushing for Parliament and the Gumbs Cabinet's attention.

Wescot-Williams said Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor is still to explain how and why he will be reorganising, re-evaluating and revisiting the already established St Read more