In a move lauded as a significant addition to the tourism sector, the Aracari Resort, located at Versailles, West Bank Demerara, unveiled  spanking new salon and spa facilities on Sunday.
At the event, CEO of the Resort, Mr. Sase Shewnarain, said the salon and spa, launched under the theme “Beauty and Health…Naturally”, is one with a difference, since it will focus, not only on “skin surface beauty”, but also “health and beauty.” This initiative will be facilitated by the use of natural products, particularly those made from the Aloe Vera plant which Shewnarain praised as the plant of royalty, citing its use by the legendary Cleopatra.
Continuing, Shewnarain said that the addition of the salon and spa is intended to add to the comfort and relaxation of the guests and service to the community at large.  The event, he noted, coincides with the resort’s two-year anniversary in June.
Differentiating between the Aracari Resort and other local resorts, Shewnarain said that the Aracari Resort is a “different sort of resort”.  “In Guyana”, he explained, “when people think of resorts, they think of eco-resorts in the interior.” Shewnarain said this fact is unique to Guyana and was a result of the first two resorts in Guyana being private country residences that were converted to commercial residences and which, because of their locations, are suited to become country residences.
However, he stressed, in the  rest of the world, resort is taken to mean a “vacation destination” where people go to rest, relax, and enjoy some comforts after working for a whole year and is usually located next to business centres and transportation so that the vacationer can get access to shopping, travel, tours and entertainment. The Aracari Resort is one such destination, he stated, pointing out that the destination is “more than a hotel” and caters for both foreigners and locals.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jennifer Webster, commended Shewnarain for his commitment to keep adding to the facilities of the resort. “Mr. Shewnarain is one of those businessmen who has remained committed to transforming Guyana’s tourism sector”, she praised.
Webster also commended the spa’s focus on natural products, since it was in keeping with the modern climate of environmentally-conscious initiatives. Concluding, she said that the Government will continue to support other initiatives of the Roraima Trust & Investment Inc.
With the formalities out of the way, a tour of the facilities was the order of the day. Shewnarain showed off the modern facilities, which are  equipped with air-conditioning and offers spa facilities, which include tea, manicure, pedicure, herbal facial, lunch, hair cut and style, hot bath, shower, deep tissue massage, healing therapy lotion, herbal wash and set within a hotel option.
Traditional beauty services are also offered and include nail care, hair care, waxing, bleaching, and massage and Bridal packages. The spa is offering a special 20% off in June to all persons presenting special brochures that were distributed at the event.