The Coral Beach and Tennis Club has reported business growth across the board in 2015, with hopes that renovations will provide a further boost going forward.

Nik Bhola, general manager at the Paget club, told The Royal Gazette: “2015 was a great year for Coral Beach in terms of every aspect that we would measure.

“When we look at our revenues, they are stronger than they were in 2014. Our occupancy was up, our rate was up, revenue from food and beverage as well as the room revenue was stronger than 2014. If we look at our membership, there were about 100 new members we were able to gain in 2015. The engagement in activity at the club has been significantly stronger.

“For us at the club, we really looked at it as a great year. We definitely think the tide has turned. I think the momentum is behind us.”

The South Shore club’s future has not always been so bright. In 2013, it briefly went into receivership before being bought by New York-based boutique hotel investment company Three Wall Capital.

Since then, Mr Bhola said that the team has made a conscious effort to rebuild the product, including introducing a five-year, five-phase renovation project.

“The first year was very focused on immediate impact areas,” Mr Bhola said. “The beach, dining areas, the food and beverage spaces. This year, we are now focused on the room part. This winter we hope to get about 12 units done, and next year it will continue with more rooms, and we will keep on adding additional components along the way.

“Over five years there’s a lot to do, and I’m sure when that five years is done there will be another five-year plan in place to keep going.”

In addition to the new facilities, he said the club has been working to provide members with better service and more amenities, expanding its staffing in the process.

Last March, the hotel hosted a jobs fair, which was attended by 350 people seeking to fill 30 vacant positions. While Mr Bhola said some of those positions were seasonal, he said that the hotel has been working to extend its busy season to keep those staff members employed longer.

“Previously the beach would open in late May and close at the end of August,” he said. “In 2015 we opened in late April and closed at the end of October. By extending our busy period we have been able to keep people employed longer.

“In certain areas we have also increased staffing. For example, we now have a preventive maintenance team in place seven days a week year round. Landscaping is another thing that’s year round. In food and beverage, again by extending the season, we have been able to keep team members employed longer than we have in the past.”

Mr Bhola also noted that the club has placed a renewed focus on training staff, saying that a total of 1,800 training hours were reported in 2015 alone and 11 staff members becoming certified tourism ambassadors.

Asked about the status of the tourism industry, Mr Bhola said he believed the island is moving in the right direction, giving some credit to the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

The BTA has a big task, and I think they are moving in the right direction,” he said. “We can’t all be individually marketing our own places. We have to market the destination as a whole, and I have seen that. I have seen that collaboration in marketing efforts through the BTA, so I am encouraged by that.”

He said that he is looking forward to the potential impact of the America’s Cup in 2017, noting that the redevelopment project will mean the club will be better able to provide members with the high-quality amenities they want, but he offered a more reserved judgment on casino gaming.

“I think as a destination, this is part of the discussion that Bermuda has to have,” he said. “I’m not sure Coral Beach is the right venue for gaming.

“I don’t think that’s on our cards, however it would certainly be another reason to come to Bermuda.

“I will wait and see. It’s been talked about for a long time, and I have a feeling there will be more discussions on gaming in the future.”