The Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa hopes to expand its inventory by building more than 50 new rooms at its Castle Harbour property.

According to a recent planning application, the project would include the addition of two three-storey hotel buildings.

The larger of the proposed buildings would include 29 guest rooms and be located at the site of an existing sewage treatment plant, while the second would house 24 rooms and partially take over space presently occupied by tennis courts.

A document submitted as part of the application said: “The buildings have been located on the selected sites as they, after study, have been deemed the best locations to maximise the needed additional rooms at the resort with the least impact on the existing character of the resort.

“Because the replacement of the sewage treatment plant is being planned, it makes sense to relocate the plant to an area that improves efficiency of the sewage system while removing the unsightly structure from this area of prime land and instead utilising the land for resort rooms which will offer visitors great accommodation.

“The tennis courts are underutilised and the eastern courts make for a good location for resort rooms.”

The first of the two structures, referred to as the Waterfront Building, would be erected at the sewage treatment plant site and the submission noted that an application to move the plant was pending.

“The Waterfront Building has been positioned, orientated and designed so that it does not have a negative impact on the important approach along the Causeway,” the application said.

“The protected woodland reserve to the northeast will provide screening of the lower floors with part of the well-articulated mass, with a traditional roof, projecting above the tree line.

“The massing is further softened from the northeast approach by the two-storey element of the building which has a planted roof terrace above.”

The second building would be the one built on the property’s eastern tennis courts.

“The proposal results in less hard surfacing, more vegetation and the removal of the tennis courts, which encroach into the open space reserve,” the application said.

“The building has been positioned to provide the rooms with the best views while minimising the visual impact of the building from the approach to the resort.

“While the massing of the two proposed buildings vary, the design of the façades with the terraces, and the roof lines, are very similar. However, the design of the entrance façades of each building is intentionally different.”

The planning documents said that the Waterfront Building would be “separated sufficiently” from the other parts of the resort to warrant a departure from the style used on other buildings at the property.

They explained: “The design is more modern, with the exception of the traditional roof, which was added so that the traditional Bermuda image is evident from the approach along the Causeway from the northeast.

“The entrance façade of the building, which is located over the eastern tennis court, has been detailed differently from the building at the waterfront so that it has a stronger visual connection to the main resort building.”

The application argued that the additional rooms would not affect parking requirements at the property, but the resort was working on a proposal for additional spaces, which was expected to be submitted this month.

“There are four additional parallel parking spaces along the access road east of the proposed tennis court building which will be designated for use by management,” the application said.

“The roadway that provides access to the sewage treatment plant will have minor regrading and widening for emergency vehicle access and it will be used for access to the proposed resort rooms.

“This regrading and widening of the road will not impact any quality vegetation.”

The application also detailed landscaping for the project, which included a blend of salt and wind-tolerant palms, trees and shrubs including endemic, native and ornamental plants.

Contacted by The Royal Gazette, Grotto Bay declined to comment on the plans.

Separately, the resort’s website said in a post last updated in December that “one of the largest expansion projects” in the resort’s history began in August 2023.

It added: “Work will complete in April 2024, and we’ll open our new and improved food and beverage and event space amenities for your enjoyment.

“We are excited to unveil themed menus, fresh contemporary dining spaces and a new rooftop bar with the friendly and professional service we are known for.

“Additionally, our main beach will be extended, and additional chaise longues added.”