The government has no place in these capital heavy type investments. The returns are not significant enough especially when royalties have to be paid to Hilton.
36
u/Peakevo
Assuming that a local company will step in and invest because the property is too valuable.
It's also interesting to see Rhoda Bharath post and blame UNC for its closure.
22
u/hislovingwife
This is happening in other cities as well with big brand hotels.It's too expensive to update existing older structures and compete with newer, flashy properties, affordable (and sometimes luxury) airbnbs as well. The hotel business is hard to stay profitable for decades and decades.
Sad to see this go, if it does. It should stay in some.capacity even if not Hilton branded.
21
u/keiliana
I stayed at the Hilton in Trinidad last year and it was really nice. I loved it. Very beautiful, the bar and restaurant were both amazing too. The pool area was great as well. I am sad they will be leaving because I hoped to visit again one day and stay there.
18
u/arcanereborn
Well this is sad to see, however seeing how poorly Magdalena is run in Tobago (massive under investment), its no surprise.
Hotels should largely be a private venture, because they need constant maintenance, service standards, and an overall vision.
This public-private venture allowed Trinidad to have a Hilton of this magnitude that was symbolic to the removal of a colonial power and the ushering in a new age for Trinidad. While its closure is what it is, a good representative of what the new direction of Trinidad will be.
I'm sure the current administration is going to sell it and it becoming another closed garden away from the public, where old people will tell the young, "I remember what that view used to look like when you could stay there, dance there, discuss ideas there, eat there..."
Nostalgia doesn't care, will see what happens next.
17
u/mochapeau_nochapeau
This is so sad. The view from the restaurant overlooking the Savannah is incredible at sunset and a lot of people don't seem to know that. I love taking friends there for drinks and for many of them it's their first time going.
11
u/964racer
We lived in the “hibiscus suite” for a month in the 70’s while we were looking for a permanent home. Good memories.
8
u/whiteoak_and_doubles
Good journalism
8
u/v3int3yun0
Well after reading the article in its entirety, I can't say I'm surprised.
It's a shame though, I remember going there for a few dinners and overnight stays.
Fantastic views of the QPS and downtown PoS.
4
u/GroovyJedi
Sign of the times
3
u/iamcnicole
I stayed there for carnival and it was awful. I should have known when I got a shady non-Hilton link to prepay for my stay. They put all the YTs in the new tower and POCs in the old far away wing. Room was musty, fridge inoperable, and shower would flood from slow drainage. When I complained as a Gold member they told me to take a hike. Ended up escalating to corporate who ran me hella points. I understand why Hilton is pulling out and I hope it gets better management that actually cares.
3
u/Icy-Benefit-5589
Never stayed there, always stayed at the Brix next door when I visit Trinidad for business (mostly influenced by my Bonvoy membership).
However, each time I stayed at the Brix I felt it's standards had dropped so I was hoping to try the Hilton on my next visit.
2
u/StepFriendly
With the loss of the Petro industry "business stay" clientele and the advent of Airbnb making some splendid homes available for rental this horse has possibly come to an end of it's reign!
Hilton will attempt to milk the cow but the government must measure the value of the milk at this time.
I would also ask the question when and if these global brands will restructure the policies to compete with the Airbnb's of today and allow the owners to profit and see value in these investments.
1
u/asce619
Simple to really understand this, taxation is theft. Ideally, taxes should not be spent on frivolous endeavors, they should be spent on civil infrastructure. That's what governments should be doing. Realistically though, 'I am prime minister, I can build a $40M+ estate and manor and that money is mine' is where we're at. Branding doesn't matter, Hilton can leave if they want, the building will be right there and probably be leased at $50 a month for 100 years through nepotism. Anyone gonna care?
1
u/ShiizaaKerushii
Wow I never thought I would see the day. This is extremely concerning.
1
u/Effective-Ear-8367
Maybe its just me but I can't even book anything with the hotel its 100% booked forever it seems. Are they just not taking anymore reservations?
1
u/Johnny512436
I love this hotel.
1
u/SayKaas
that's unfortnate, maybe it will be plucked up by some private company
maybe a place to put a data center?
-1
u/OrdinaryAncient3573
The real question here is why the government ever built or owned a hotel in the first place.