Travel news: Marley resort opening delayed

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The family of the late Bob Marley has postponed the opening of a luxury resort that celebrates the reggae superstar.

The musician's daughter, Stephanie Marley, has told The Independent Traveller that work on a "world-class luxury beachfront resort and spa" has slipped behind schedule, and will not be ready for its planned opening next Tuesday, 6 February. That is the date of Bob Marley Day, marking 62 years since the Jamaican musician was born. Instead, Ms Marley - chief executive of Marley's Resort & Spa ( www.marleyresort.com) - expects the property to open in May. Reservations are expected to open within the next few weeks.

The location for the resort has been controversial. It is not on Bob Marley's home island of Jamaica, but is a former governor's mansion on the west side of Cable Beach on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas - close to downtown Nassau and the airport.

"It was the place we used to stay for the summer holidays," says Ms Marley.

"It's always been our piece of paradise outside of Jamaica. We felt it was time to open it up and invite guests to come in."

The resort will have 16 suites, selling for around £250 per night - though the honeymoon suite, named "One Love", will cost more.

There are plans for a spa called Natural Mystic. The restaurant is named Simmer Down, and features what Ms Marley calls "Some of Daddy's favourites".

Dishes include callaloo-stuffed roast fish and I-tal pepperpot soup. I-tal cuisine, favoured by Rastafarians, is largely vegetarian and based on natural and wholesome ingredients.

Ms Marley is currently looking for a second location for a future resort, which is likely to be built at Negril in the far west of Jamaica.

Meanwhile, the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston (001 876 927 9152; www.bobmarley-foundation.com) plans special events during the coming week to commemorate the musician's life. Tours of his home in the Jamaican capital, Kingston, take place daily except Sundays, price US$10 (£5.50).

A GLITCH with British Airways' reservations system affecting flights to Caribbean islands has been fixed. The airline promised a flat rate of £379 return from Gatwick to Kingston, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia and Tobago between late February to mid March. But research by The Independent failed to find any seats at under £545, which is the going rate for the time of year. BA says a computer error was to blame, and that hundreds of seats are available at the lower fares.