A Chat With Jeff Hadeed From South Point Hotel Antigua
Interview With Jeff Hadeed Managing Partner South Point Hotel Antigua.
South Point is a privately owned all suite boutique hotel that enjoys an exclusive waterfront location next to Antigua Yacht Club in the heart of English Harbour in Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
There are just 23 one and two bedroom condo-style suites overlooking the sea and Falmouth Harbour marina. The suites offer luxury living with fully equipped kitchens, lounges, dining areas and large balconies with sun loungers and dining tables. Suites also have high-speed complimentary WIFI, cable TV, and iPod docks.
The one bedroom suites have an open plan layout ideal for couples. The two bedroom penthouse suites are perfect for couples sharing or families and have two en suite bathrooms, two interior lounges and double balconies.
South Point has a small private beach while Pigeon beach, once named one of the sexiest beaches in the world, is a 5-minute walk away or can be easily reached by paddle board or kayak. Galleon beach, a picturesque beach known for its proximity to the Pillars of Hercules, turtle sightings and snorkelling is 5 minutes away by car.
Facilities at South Point include an acclaimed Maia restaurant, set on a deck suspended over the water, and serving Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. There is also a bar serving cocktails, a swimming pool and jetty. Guests also have access to nearby tennis and squash courts and a new onsite gym will be opened in 2020.
The resort’s location makes it the perfect base for those who want to experience Antiguan social life that revolves around the bars and restaurants in an around English Harbour. Everything is within walking distance, doing away with the need for a car.
Managing partner Jeff Hadeed was born in Trinidad & Tobago and grew up in Antigua & Barbuda. At the age of 15 he moved to the US where he completed State College Area High School in Pennsylvania.
He graduated from the University of Florida in August of 1985 with a degree in Business (Marketing). During his studies, he took a year off to manage a family business in St. Maarten.
After graduation he moved to Italy for 6 months to study fashion design at the Istituto Marangoni. After this he returned to Antigua & Barbuda, to manage the family business, a garment manufacturing company.
At the same time he worked as a bartender at the Big Banana Holding Co., a bar and restaurant. Within a year he had become owner of the bar with his sister and younger brother.
Over his working career, he has been a true entrepreneur, opening some 5 restaurants, including Big Banana 17°61°, The beach, The Larder, and South Point restaurant; started North Coast Marine, a boat sales and service company; representing Mercury Marine; and an Italian fashion boutique “Milano”. He has been involved in property management and some real estate sales, including negotiating the sale of 2 private villas and now managing the properties for Giorgio Armani.
He has been appointed Antigua & Barbuda’s Consul General and non-resident Ambassador to Italy.
Hadeed’s inspiration for the South Point hotel design came from his extensive travels and he much admired the Shrager Hotels in New York, as well as the minimalist movement in private homes in Milan.
His aim was to create something that was luxurious without being stuffy. Or in his words:
“A casual but friendly, warm, unscripted, chill place for people to come, relax and be themselves, with good food and drink.”
He encourages guests to partake in the local Antiguan social life, with live bands, DJ’s and events, mixing with residents in a stylish urban environment.
The location is divine, just next to the yacht club, looking out over the bay where you can sail, swim or explore to your hearts content in an area rich in history. A great one for yacht spotters too as the view from the beach encompasses some of the largest luxury yachts in the Caribbean.
