Prominent Grenadian-Caribbean Hotelier, Sir Royston Hopkins, Dies

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, February 24, 2020 (CMC) – Almost seven months after receiving an Outstanding Achievement Award from the government, prominent Grenadian and Caribbean hotelier, Sir Royston Hopkins, passed away, last Saturday.

“Yes, he died, early this morning, in Trinidad,” said Brian Hardy, the Manager of the Spice Island Beach Resort, which is owned by Sir Royston.

Sir Royston was recovering from a medical procedure, which occurred a few weeks ago. The details have not been disclosed.

Last year, when he received the Outstanding Achievement Award, from Tourism Minister, Claris Modeste, the hotelier said: “It is a true honour to be recognized with the Minister’s Outstanding Achievement Award. As I accept this prestigious recognition, I reflect on how far we’ve come and the continued growth we are realizing, today”.

Last year, he also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit in Miami, which recognized his contribution to the tourism industry in Grenada.

Sir Royston began his tourism career, when he joined his family business, the Ross Point Inn, in 1965. By age 20, he was appointed to the Grenada Board of Tourism, where he served 18 consecutive years.

In 1969, at the age of 24, he was elected President of the Grenada Hotel Association, a position he held, on 14 different occasions.

In 1987, he purchased a majority interest in the Spice Island Inn, and became the owner and Chairman of the property, which he renamed Spice Island Beach Resort. Under his direction, the property expanded, from 28 to 66 suites, as part of a six million dollar renovation project in 2000.

Sir Royston has held numerous positions within the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), and in 1991, he received the organization’s “Hotelier of the Year” award, as well as Lifetime Achievement Awards from CHTA and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Sir Royston was knighted in 2004, when he was made a Knight Commander of The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) for his contributions to the tourism industry, throughout the Caribbean.

Sir Royston is survived by his wife, Lady Betty Hopkin, and three children.