The wide selection of furniture attracted many patrons.

by GERCINE CARTER

The auctioneer's hammer brought a close to another chapter in the history of one of Barbados' most famous East Coast landmarks yesterday.

Proprietor of Atlantis Hotel, Theo Williams, stood by as auctioneer Barry Pemberton repeatedly uttered the words "sold" in an auction that saw bargain hunters scooping up a range of items that had become an integral part of the character operation of the 124-year-old hotel.

Among the items up for sale were pans, glassware, cutlery, crockery, furniture, furnishings and artifacts.

One prized piece secured by Williams and his wife Margaret was a framed collection of nine old photographs of the original building with a train passing in front.

Located on Barbados' rugged, scenic East Coast, Atlantis Hotel attracted visitors from around the globe to its traditional Bajan food.

In particular the Sunday lunch buffet, introduced by the hotel's late owner Enid Maxwell, had an international reputation and grew to be an integral part of the Barbados culinary tradition. Williams took over operation of the historic property seven years ago and continued the tradition.

That was until he failed in his recent bid to purchase the property which has reportedly been put up for sale by the trustee of Maxwell's estate.

Williams told the WEEKEND NATION yesterday: "I am saddened, but l have to move on . . . . I really would have liked to buy the property, but the deal fell through."

The veteran Barbadian hotelier, who has managed leading West Coast properties, said he would most likely return to hotel management after taking a much needed rest.

Atlantis served its final buffet last week, and yesterday cooks Angela Yarde and Claudine Holder were again in the kitchen, this time safeguarding the tools of their trade – that is until the auctioneer arrived.

Reflecting on 33 years spent with the establishment, Angela could only say: "I am sad, but what can I do?"

Claudine expressed similar comments as she reflected on 23 years at the hotel.

They were among a staff of 16 for whom work at Atlantis has ended.

Among the celebrities that have dined at the landmark establishment were Britain's Prince Andrew, South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu and in recent times Archbishop John Sentamu, the first African archbishop in the Church of England.

Noted Barbadian author George Lamming has also made Atlantis Hotel home and office for many years, when taking a sojourn from teaching overseas and travelling.

Williams said that when some former guests from overseas heard about the hotel's imminent demise, they had hastened to return for one last visit to rooms advertised at rates of US$85 for bed and breakfast and US$105 for bed and three meals.

There is speculation that the building, which has fallen into a state of disrepair, will eventually be torn down and rebuilt.

Only five guest rooms were habitable, as elsewhere in the older unused section of the hotel, there was evidence of decay, with fallen ceilings, badly rusted exposed metal, and peeling paint – the salt air of the Atlantic Ocean having taken its toll.