by Linda Straker
- Sir Royston died early this morning in Trinidad, age 75 years
- Survived by his wife Lady Betty Hopkin and his 3 children
- Awarded Knight Commander of The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 2004
Almost 7 months after receiving a lifetime award from Tourism Minister Claris Modeste, hotelier Sir Royston Hopkin has died. He was the owner of Spice Island Beach Resort, located on the Grand Anse Beach.
“Yes, he died early this morning in Trinidad,” said Brian Hardy, General Manager of the hotel. Hardy promised that a statement will be issued later in the day. Sir Royston was recovering from a medical procedure which occurred a few weeks ago. Sir Royston was 75 years old. He is survived by his wife Lady Betty Hopkin and his 3 children.
“It is a true honour to be recognised with the Minister’s Outstanding Achievement Award. As I accept this prestigious recognition, I reflect on how far we’ve come and the continued growth we are realising today,” Sir Royston said at the award ceremony in mid-2019.
Besides the minister’s award, Sir Royston received many awards. In December 2004, he earned the introduction “Sir” when Queen Elizabeth II deemed him Knight Commander of The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG), for his contributions to the tourism industry in Grenada and throughout the Caribbean.
Sir Royston held numerous positions within the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), and served on the board of directors. He received the organisation’s 1991 “Hotelier of the Year” award as well as Lifetime Achievement awards from CHTA and the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). In early 2019, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit in Miami recognised his contributions to the tourism industry in Grenada as well as the luxury services he provides at his resort.
Royston Hopkin began his tourism career when he joined his family business, the Ross Point Inn, in 1965. By age 20, he was appointed to the Grenada Board of Tourism, where he served for 18 consecutive years. By age 24, he became the first Grenadian-elected president of the Grenada Hotel Association, a position he held on 14 occasions. By 1987, he had purchased a majority interest in the Spice Island Inn and became the owner and chairman of the property, which he renamed Spice Island Beach Resort. Under his direction, the property expanded from 28 to 66 suites as part of a $6 million renovation in 2000.
Like much of Grenada, Spice Island Beach Resort was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, but one year later, and with a $12 million investment, the resort reopened.
I used to drive Sir Royston Hopkin for last fifteen years whenever he came to London. I never met any good hearted polite customer like Sir Royston Hopkin in my twenty years taxi trade such a good clean hearted always nice and polite used to joke with me all the time. I googled his name for some other reason and came to know he passed a way. My condolence to his wife and family. I am really sad to hear that he passed a way. We will never find a nice person like him.
May he RIP wonderful men I had the opportunity of working with Him and his wonderful wife In the late 80s which was my only job in Grenada but I always think about how good they were to me at they home and also at the hotel which was call Blue horizon hotel at the time peace love and blessings to the family
We Mr & Mrs Chandler from the United Kingdom who got married at the Spice Island in 2012 are so sad to hear of the passing of Sir Royston. our sympathy and prayer goes to his wife and family.
I met this man at the lifetime achievement awards in 2019 at the CHRIS EVENT and I was blown away by his passion for tourism and the NEED FOR development and collaboration among caribbean territories! Walk good sir, you have lived well.
My condolences on the passing of an icon in tourism, in the island of Grenada and certainly the Caribbean at large. It is hoped that the lessons his life’s work has taught us and the legacy he created will live on and continue to help shape our region.
As a family man – both his immediate family and the whole Spice Beach Resort will miss him. May the GOd of comfort provides what is needed for all at this time.
Deepest Sympathy; this is a good man gone way too early. RIP Sir Royston Hopkin.
This is not the place or the time to plug any book as Robert E. Millette saw fit. I found that so out of place and insulting. That likely lame book – to be, surely must be a fictional piece of work, unlike what the Comments by Mr. Millette do indicate.
My family join me in sending our sympathy to the Hopkin Family. I was afforded the opportunity to interview Sir. Royston at the Hotel for a book that I am writing about the Visionary and Charismatic Leadership of Prime Minister Mitchell.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Sir Royston. My condolences to his wife Betty and his family. He was a good friend of my late husband David Da Costa and a great support at the time. With prayers.
Our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with the Hopkin family today A great man he was and he will surely be missed. He has left a void in the Industry and globally. Our prayers are with you.
My condolences to the Hopkins family and staff of SIBR (my home away from home in Grenada). May you rest In peace Sir; I surely will miss our plane rides from MIA to GDN.