07/02/2007 00:00
TW
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By Humphrey Carter

PALMA
BRITISH multi-millionaire resident Margaret Whittaker told the Bulletin yesterday that she is “extremely excited” about her role in the international consortium which has bought the Son Amar night-spot on the outskirts of Palma.

As reported yesterday, the consortium, headed by leading Soller hotelier Andres Gelabert, intends to transform the Son Amar site into “a unique“ super luxury leisure and entertainment complex “which will be talked about the world over,” Whittaker, one of Britain's wealthiest and most successful business women, said yesterday.

Whittaker brings to the project 38-years of hands-on experience in marketing and management. She created Slimming World and built it into one of the most successful in the UK with over 250'000 members meeting every month.

Andres Gelabert brings to the table a wealth of experience in the leisure and entertainment industry in the United States. He created the Medieval Times show which now runs in nine states. “When Andres Gelabert asked me if I would be interested in becoming a partner in this incredibly exciting venture, I had no doubts at all. “Son Amar is already known throughout Europe as a spectacular show on a par with any variety show in Las Vegas. I'm a regular visitor to the show and have been for years. In October I took a group of 30 managers from the UK to see the show. They were not expecting the level of glamour, talent and sophistication - and they just loved it. The sights and sounds of Son Amar are something else. The show has been going since 1963 yet the technology is absolutely state-of-the art thanks to the investment of the previous owner. The laser light show rivals anything at Disney World. Imagine having this as your starting point. What an opportunity!” Whittaker said. “I'm more excited about this project than I've ever been about any thing,” she added. “We will start with the Son Amar show, what a spring board for the project and then gradually expand. “It's still early days but we will be working within a time frame of two to three years,” she said.
The consortium is planning to develop the Majorcan mansion in the grounds into a 60-room ultra-luxury hotel with spa, swimming pool and leisure facilities complemented by private villa suites with their own private pools within the gardens.

The spa complex is expected to be placed under the charge of Whittaker. “The basic infrastructure already exists. It has the palatial sweeping staircase from the cobbled courtyard to the balustraded balcony that is so typical of the grand old houses of Majorca. There's even a beautiful chapel, that just adds to the charm and romance. At Son Amar, we have the freedom to dream and the passion to bring that dream alive,” Whittaker said. “This is a new era in the history of Son Amar. We are very excited about making Son Amar a magnificent multi-functional venue that can be enjoyed 24/7 by residents and tourists alike. “I feel extremely privileged and very proud to be a part of this. We are completely committed to making Son Amar the jewel in Majorca's crown and to reinforcing this beautiful island's reputation as the most modern, sophisticated and desirable location in the Mediterranean. “For me, Majorca is the best place on earth and I want the world to know it too,” she said.