Hillshire’s Soft Opening

The Hillshire Hotel has finally had their opening, soft as it was, on Sunday. Previously known as the La Mirage Hotel, the Montego Bay property underwent a name change and updates since being taken over by a company known as Cash Plus.

Cash Plus is headed by Carlos Hill, who has big plans for the space. He is planning on offering a “gentleman’s club” package that would include slots and casino gaming to its clientele. The only problem with this is that the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission says that he cannot offer slots or any other kind of gambling as it is illegal.

The tiny, 21 room hotel was acquired by Hill in early 2006 and he has completely renovated the property to get it to the level of service that they are planning on offering. With the BGLC saying that Hillside cannot offer slots or gambling, they’re not entirely correct as hotels are allowed to operate some games and slots if they get a license from the commission.

The commission says that the hotel has not applied for slots or gaming, and therefore no license has been awarded. They also say that there have not been any issued for the Executive Inn either. With Hill being the third to take over the property since 1985 – it would appear that they are looking for someone to take the property and turn it into something that would be long term profitable.

It would seem that the location of the hotel so close to the airport would make it a shoe-in for being profitable, but that is obviously not the case. The Erskines were the first to own the property, but sold it in 2004 – and it was then sold again two years later but under the name Executive Inn.


 

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