A Quiet Base for Guyana's Busy Year

Over the years, I've had a lot of guests tell me that they keep coming back to Grand Coastal because of the personal service. It doesn't feel like a typical fancy hotel, and really and truly, I think that boutique, homely feel is the reason so many people return.

One guest put it better than I ever could. They told me that they love going to the fancy restaurants and hotels for a special occasion, the once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience, but Grand Coastal is there every day. When they come home from work, Grand Coastal is their go-to. When they think about their family, Grand Coastal is their go-to. When they want somewhere that isn't intimidating, Grand Coastal is their go-to.

We lean into that on purpose. We don't mind at all that people go and try the fancier places. But to hear that they do that 10% of the time and come back to us the other 90% is something I'm particularly proud of.

Why we've kept it small

Guyana's hotel landscape is growing fast, with new properties opening and international brands arriving, and that's good news for the country. Larger hotels fill a real need, especially when a major event brings thousands of visitors in at once. Now, I've chosen to keep Grand Coastal at 43 rooms, and there's a reason for that.

Being small means that I, as the owner, am here almost every single day, sometimes six days a week, from early in the morning until late at night. I'm constantly studying this hotel: how to improve it, how to make it more efficient, how to look after my staff and their emotions, and how to look after our guests and theirs. To put in that kind of effort consistently, the hotel has to be a certain size. Bigger hotels have to depend on large departments, layers of management and sometimes even a board.

That's not to say we don't have strong department heads. We do, and they're very attentive. Knowing that I'm on the ground every day keeps all of us focused on the same vision and the same standards, and that's what keeps us on track.

The people you'll meet

Our Executive Head Chef, Fabio Sarmiento, runs the kitchen, and his newest dish is the Coastal Snapper Noodles: short toasted noodles cooked in a rich prawn, tomato and bacon broth, topped with roasted snapper, garlic mayo and a squeeze of fresh lime. It's mild, it's comforting, and at GY$4,495 (US$24) it's exactly the kind of meal you want after a long day in town. If you'd rather keep things simple and stay in for dinner, his restaurant is right on site.

Dianna Pupo, our Housekeeping Manager, is the reason our rooms get the reviews they do. When guests write about how clean and comfortable their room was, that's Dianna and her team.

Ashley Trotman, our Front Desk Manager, makes sure every guest feels welcome and has a good stay. Everything from check-in to check-out is part of the experience, and Ashley is responsible for all of it.

The neighbourhood

Grand Coastal sits at Le Ressouvenir on the East Coast of Demerara, a quiet, safe suburban area a short drive from Georgetown. We're only minutes from MovieTowne, one of the biggest entertainment districts in Guyana. And practically next door, the new Chateau Margot Mall is on its way, with more than 60 stores, dining and entertainment, and an opening planned for 2027. We're very excited about it, because it gives our guests one more amenity right on the doorstep.

My best tip for getting around

If there's one piece of advice I'd give any visitor, it's this: think about how you want to move around before you arrive. I don't mean calling a cab whenever you need one. I mean splurging a little and booking a dedicated driver for the day, someone who waits for you, gets you through the busy streets and the hectic roads, and takes you to try as much of the food as possible.

Guests can pre-book a Grand Coastal driver for an entire day's running, and if you'd rather arrange your own, that works too. Either way, look for a car that's well kept with air conditioning that actually works, because it gets very hot in Guyana. You don't want to worry about parking, and you want to get in and out of wherever you're going quickly. To be quite honest with you, a safe, reliable, trustworthy driver is something I depend on in my own day-to-day, and it makes all the difference.

Plan your stay

If you're coming in for a conference or exhibition and want a quieter base, or you're splitting your time between Georgetown and the coast, Grand Coastal is set up for exactly that kind of trip. Have a look at our rooms and current availability at www.grandcoastal.com, or call us on 592-220-1091 or email frontdesk@grandcoastal.com with any questions about timing, transfers or booking a driver. With the year Guyana is having, I'd book sooner rather than later.