First addition of Sygnus to the leading hotels

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Sygnus Group has announced that its Mammee Bay development, located in Mammee Bay, St Ann in Jamaica, has been accepted as a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the leader in independent, luxury hospitality for more than nine decades.  

The Mamme Bay development is being undertaken by Sygnus Real Estate Finance (SRF) a specialty real estate investment company managed by the Sygnus Group. This is the first addition of Sygnus to the leading hotels and signifies the start of its relationship with that organisation.

There are also plans to partner and bring even more independent properties to the region. The collaboration will be brought to life with the award-winning luxury hospitality operator Wischermann Partners and renowned design and architecture firm, Leo A Daly.  

Envisioned to celebrate the vibrant nature of Jamaica

Showcasing design by Leo A. Daly, the resort has been envisioned to celebrate the vibrant nature of the island and introduce an at once elevated, elegant and authentic experience, an idyllic haven delivering transportive getaways.  An array of unique amenities will be found throughout the property including an 18,000-square-foot spa deeply immersed in nature and featuring therapies such as sound healing and meditative practices, culinary destinations include a fine dining show kitchen, a Mediterranean bistro, a beach bar and grill, and more.  

The project is a 250-room luxury resort and 23 residences nestled among towering 200-year-old fig and banyan trees at Mammee Bay in Jamaica is slated to debut in late 2024 and estimated to be a US$265-million investment. Sygnus says the development underscores a commitment to creating authentic travel experiences, introducing resorts rooted in innovation with an independent spirit and designed to celebrate the culture of each destination.  

Shannon Knapp, president and chief executive officer, The Leading Hotels of the World, remarks that, “it is a great pleasure to welcome Mammee Bay to our exclusive portfolio, and we hope to welcome many other projects of SRF and Wischermann Partners, Inc in the future. Both companies are dedicated to developing independent, luxury hotels that embody the essence of their surrounding locales. Mammee Bay marks Leading Hotels’ re-entrance to Jamaica, and we are excited to introduce our travelers to this extraordinary property and future SRF and Wischermann Partners, Inc developments in the important Caribbean region”.

Knapp said his organisation has long celebrated hoteliers, who curate distinctive, independent hotels and remarkable experiences.

David Cummings, Sygnus Group vice president and head of real estate and project finance, declare that Sygnus has assembled a world-class team of award-winning professionals to help it design and create what we intend to be a hospitality product that Jamaica will be proud of. 

SRF to expand luxury hospitality product across the region

He added that, “the fact that Leading Hotels of the World has already agreed to partner with us is a testament to our strategy, as well as our ambitions for SRF to expand this luxury hospitality product across the region… from the moment we first walked on the property, we realised that it presented us with the opportunity to do something special with it, based on its location, foliage, topography and of course, its beach”. 

In the meantime, Sygnus is actively exploring future developments in the Dominican Republic and St Lucia, among other magnificent island escapes. 

According to Sygnus Group CEO, Berisford Grey: “As the regional leaders in the alternative investments space, Sygnus through our specialty real estate investment company, SRF have always had a key interest in enhancing the luxury hospitality market in Jamaica and our Mammee Bay project represents the ideal opportunity to achieve this. In collaboration with Leading Hotels of the World and a group of highly talented partners, our vision is not only to execute the Mammee Bay project but to over time build out a series of similar luxury projects in other highly sought-after destinations across the Caribbean.” 

Headquartered in Jamaica, Sygnus has operations in Puerto Rico and St Lucia with investment funds spanning private credit, real estate and private equity while Leading Hotels of the World comprised of more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries. It is the largest collection of independent luxury hotels.