ChagTerms (Trinidad) Limited (“ChagTerms”, formerly Chaguaramas Terminals Limited) owns and operates the official port of Chaguaramas, located at the former site of a bauxite transhipment station for the Aluminum Company of Canada (“Alcan”).
At the time, the Chaguaramas basin was missing a full service hospitality institution to leverage off the scenic location. The only tourism-based businesses were the various boat storage/launching facilities i.e. Power Boats Mutual Facilities Limited (“Power Boats”) and Island Properties Owners Association (“IPOA”). These were used to launch mainly small locally owned vessels, for the primary purpose of visiting the islands off the north-west peninsular. Chaguaramas as a site for a hospitality business was ripe for development. In close proximity to a golf course as well as a beach (Macqueripe), as well as the nature trails, there were ancillary activities for guests to enjoy. Combined with the scenic location and access to other services like fishing, visiting the off shore islands (Gaspar Grande’s caves being an attraction, and well as Chacachacare being of historical interest with the former leper colony) made the site a compelling development project. In addition, there was an increasing number of visiting foreign yachts, as a result of the Hurricane activity (Andrew) leading to Insurance companies granting lower premiums to vessels berthing 12 degrees latitude. The location of the land adjoining the Port and the waterfront, was a naturally sheltered habour suitable for a marina for foreign and local vessels. At the time, the facilities for visiting yachts were rudimentary and primarily catered just for local small vessels. To capitalise on the increasing arrivals of foreign vessels, it was decided to develop a premier marina facility which met the needs of the foreign/transient visiting vessels.
Food & Beverage and Retail space
The next major phase for development was the Food & Beverage and Retail space to the north-east of the site. This phase was completed in February 1997 and primarily housed our signature Lighthouse Restaurant. The Lighthouse restaurant catered for the needs of both the crew on board the visiting yachts as well as locals to enjoy a waterfront dining experience. Combined with the Food & Beverage development was the Retail space. The Retail space consisted of Rental units for businesses serving the needs of the visiting yachts. Some examples of the products and/or services offered were: a bank (initially Bank of Commerce but then Republic Bank following the takeover by Republic Bank); Customs and Immigration offices; a supermarket/convenience store (Hi-Lo Food Stores); a duty free liquor store and gift shop (Apadocas); a car rental company (Econo-cars); and a hair dresser . This Retail space was re-focussed in 2006, with some of the tenants being relocated to the old Alcan covered shed. The space vacated by the tenants was converted into meeting spaces for conference and banqueting needs e.g. weddings etc.
Hotel
The hotel opened in May 1999, in time for the Miss Universe pageant which was held in the Chaguaramas heliport. It is located to the north-west of the site and is a 46-room hotel with every room overlooking the pool and marina. This hotel caters to both foreign and local guests. An upgrade project started in May 2007 to completely overhaul all 46 rooms in a phased approach. All the rooms were completed in May 2014. At the time, the Chaguaramas basin was missing a full service hospitality institution to leverage off the scenic location. The only tourism-based businesses were the various boat storage/launching facilities i.e. Power Boats Mutual Facilities Limited (“Power Boats”) and Island Properties Owners Association (“IPOA”). These were used to launch mainly small locally owned vessels, for the primary purpose of visiting the islands off the north-west peninsular. Chaguaramas as a site for a hospitality business was ripe for development. In close proximity to a golf course as well as a beach (Macqueripe), as well as the nature trails, there were ancillary activities for guests to enjoy. Combined with the scenic location and access to other services like fishing, visiting the off shore islands (Gaspar Grande’s caves being an attraction, and well as Chacachacare being of historical interest with the former leper colony) made the site a compelling development project.
