Chatham Hotel

Chatham Hotel.

Built in 1933-1934 by Stanley Foster. It could accommodate 100 guests (50 rooms) set deep in well planned gardens.
In 1938 the hotel underwent considerable enlargement and reconditioning, with 30 rooms added (the long building perpendicular to the north wing of the main building). Mrs. Crichton was managing. It was owned and operated by the Foster family.
In December 1951 the hotel opened up its new dance pavilion done in native style by Cleve Murray.
The swimming pool was used by many schools for swim/dive meets. Years?
In the late 1960s a 54-room tower annex was built. There were 66 rooms in the main section.
Closed in 1981.
In December 1985 it opened as the Paradise Beach Club and was all-inclusive. It was operated by Dennis Morgan.
In 1987 they created a beach opposite the hotel.
By 1988 it became the Sea Gardens Hotel and had 100 rooms.
July 1989 is the first mention in the Gleaner for Chatham Cottages.
In May 1991 the hotel owed J$335,647.60 in room taxes for the period February-October 1990. It closed in the 1990s.
Circa 1995 the old section burned. But is still there.
In January 1997 the hotel was reported to have closed.
Now Sea Garden Beach Resort. The Foster family still runs the Chatham Cottages, which are eight cottages south of the hotel and behind the former Hills View Guest House and the Carlyle Beach Hotel.