It seems like every time you hear the words Spanish and hotel in the same sentence, you might start to wonder whether there's a new foreign investor coming.

But not with this cubbyhole of comfort, almost completed on St Lucia Avenue in New Kingston. The Spanish Court Hotel, located where the old Spanish Court plaza was (where the avenue meets Trafalgar Road). The anticipation about its opening had been built up for months, especially since word broke that it was another hotel.

So developer Chris Issa hosted a hard-hat party to give some members of the business community a sneak peak. Workers were still banging away into the early evening as guests filed in, working their socks off to meet the end-of-January deadline. This wasn't a night for long speeches. Instead, it was all about seeing the model rooms that were being prepared.

The flat screen television, the comfy beds and the cosy rooms had some guests already making their reservations. Issa said the hotel was trying to find a balance with guests who are staying at the hotel and those who want to use the facilities like the gallery cafe, meeting rooms and executive gym. The Spanish Court Hotel seeks to provide a more relaxed, chic atmosphere and with a great view of the city to boot, it's looking to give serious competition.

Guests out included Dr David McBean, Jackie Knight-Campbell, Millicent Lynch, Nicola Madden-Greig, Jackie and Terry-Ann Burrell, Tamiann Young, Dollis Campbell and Tomlin Ellis.

(1) Developer of the Spanish Court Hotel, Chris Issa, might be wondering whether this hard hat can fit. Helping him out are (from left) Henrietta deLisser, Bernadette Barrow and Maxia Fairweather.
(2) Permanent secretary in the tourism ministry, Jennifer Griffith (second right), gives her impression of the rooms to (from left) Carolyn McDonald-Reilly, Robert Wright, advisor to the developers of the hotel, and Earl Patrick of the Tourism Product Development Company.