UPDATE:Lambert Resort extends olive branch to ‘Masa Pasa’ after misunderstanding
Company director responds to allegations
In a response to the allegation of discriminating against black locals, Mr. Fabio Arduini, the Director for Elizabeth Beach Resort, Ltd and Wyndham Lambert Resort said Mr Pemberton’s original post on The Real BVI Community Board was the result of a clear misunderstanding.
Pemberton had claimed on Facebook that on visiting the resort, “I pull up to the buzzer. Rang the buzzer and I was told sorry sir. We are closed to locals. Funny thing is my white friends got in and they've been living here for more than 15 years so yeah. Closed to black locals,” he wrote.
Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reported that the resort responded via a Facebook comment and said, ‘Lambert Beach Resort is open to serve everyone no matter what colour you are, the people that buzz before said they are going to the restaurant, you buzz and said you are going to the pool."
The response further said, "To use the pool you have to either dine in the restaurant or be a guest in one of the hotel rooms.”
However, Mr. Arduino in an invited comment from VINO, has provided some more context on what led to the scenario and misunderstanding in the first place.
Mr Pemberton wanted to ‘go to the pool’ – Director
“Last Sunday when Mr. Pemberton buzzed at the entrance gate, two things occurred. The car before him, which he described as occupied by friends, was asked the nature of their visit and the driver replied they desired to go to the restaurant, and they were buzzed through,” he said in a statement.
“When Mr. Pemberton buzzed, he replied his intent was he wanted to ‘go to the pool.’ The reply given was that ‘it is closed to locals,’ meaning it is closed to the PUBLIC at large. Pool access is granted to only hotel guests, restaurant guests, and residents of the Resort (being either owners or tenants of the numerous condo units),” the Director said.
“Let it be clear, our gate entrance only has a speaker system, not a video camera. The staff member who responded was responding solely on the nature of the request. Had Mr Pemberton inquired further or asked to talk to management, he would have been treated graciously as all our guests at Lambert are and given a further explanation.”
Resort proud to serve all residents – Director
As such the resort group said the discrimination label attributed its business was not only an inaccurate allegation, but it does not reflect the policy of the organization and the training given to predominantly BVIslander staff.
“We are proud to serve the residents of the BVI as well as welcome visitors from nations all over the world regardless of nationality, race or creed,” the statement went on to say.
Mr Arduini related further, that when Pemberton’s visit, the Resort was also in preparation for closing the month of September.
“The staff that usually supervises the grounds, including the pool, were busy preparing for yearly maintenance operations planned for September. The restaurant, also closing for September, was understaffed and could not provide any pool service,” the Director said.
Pemberton invited to experience true hospitality @ resort
While ‘Masa Pasa’ had removed his original post and released a follow-up statement assuring that the issue has been resolved by the resort’s management, the Director further extended the olive branch to Mr Pemberton for him to return in October.
“We look forward to having Mr. Pemberton back in October for Wyndham Lambert Beach Resort reopening, so we can show him our brand of hospitality, as he enjoys our specialty dishes at the restaurant along with the refreshing experience of our beautiful pool,” Mr Arduini said.
See previous story published on August 31, 2021
‘Lambert resort’ accused of racial discrimination against black locals
- resort fires back that patron wanted to use the pool without paying to use other facilities
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort has been accused of racial discrimination against some locals in the Virgin Islands, where non-white persons are being denied access to the facility.
The accusation came via a shocking review posted in the Real BVI community Board by social media commentator Ramoamasagana Pemberton aka 'Masa Pasa' on Sunday, August 29, 2021, about the alleged treatment at the facility.
“Heard about it from a friend. So they invited us today. Was my first time going there so we had to follow them? Pull up to the little buzzer thing. My local "white friends " gate went up. Friends went in.”
According to Mr Pemberton, “I pull up to the buzzer. Rang the buzzer and I was told sorry sir. We are closed to locals. Funny thing is my white friends got in and they've been living here for more than 15 years so yeah. Closed to black locals,” he wrote.
Locals infuriated by accusation
Meanwhile, the accusations infuriated locals who commented in the hundreds on the original post. They called for an explanation to the allegation.
One commentator, Ann Underhill-Warner said, “So Lambert/Wyndham if you are seeing the post we are expecting a response, don’t know what you will try to say but we need to hear from you!” she said.
Another commenter, Ian Clark remarked, “Everyone needs to not go there unless there is an explanation for this and I cannot imagine what that would be,” he said.
Others commented that they had similar experiences at the resort.
One person even stated that one such bad experience of racial discrimination experience occurred on their wedding day.
The resort in a statement on the accusation said, ‘Lambert Beach Resort is open to serve everyone no matter what colour you are, the people that buzz before said they are going to the restaurant, you buzz and said you are going to the pool."
The report further said, "To use the pool you have to either dine in the restaurant or be a guest in one of the hotel rooms.”
'Everyone deserves a second chance'
Meanwhile, the initial Facebook post by 'Masa Pasa' was subsequently removed on August 30, 2021.
"The previous post that I made was deleted. A private conversation happened between myself and persons of interest in the Resort. The management team have carefully read through every negative comment that was posted about the establishment, every bad encounter and are now reconfiguring certain things for change.
"I am mostly glad for the opportunity to revisit the establishment for the opening season. I encourage persons to look at the BVI as one BVI. Everyone deserves a second chance at something," Pemberton wrote.
In the past, there have been issues of white property owners denying locals access to beaches. All beaches in the VI are public.
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78 Responses to “UPDATE:Lambert Resort extends olive branch to ‘Masa Pasa’ after misunderstanding”
Some more comfortable with their
dog in the pool that black people. You folks
should know that by now. Get your own and keep
out of theirs, very simple. Why go to a beach to go in a pool?
someone had their wedding day at Lambert but didn't use anything from them, didn't use their restaurant, bar just their pool ,beach and backgrounds for wedding photos and you expect them to be curtious I would of thrown you out on you cheap @$$
Live in the south/usa n The racial bs is sickening, the last thing I would tolerate is a white person in my home being racist. If you can't have peace in your home where can you. The arrogance of these people to express hate in a country that may not be their home and for sure they aren't the majority is crazy. They should be removed from the country. BS on second chance, this isn't their first time being racist.
I have heard many of white state that the VI is too good for Us.
White stick together was another statement made ..subtle threat, this white lady was upset a local put her in her place.
Heard few local being told they shouldn't be in certain location.
Thank goodness we were smart enough to make the beaches accessible.
The accusation certainly does not come as shocking to me.
Based on "Masa" side of things he said that the response he received was "we are closed to locals" It would be nice if he give a little more of the conversation...
If the above is true, the statement Lambert give does not seem to address the issue specifically. You told the young man you are CLOSED to locals.
Anyway why do businesses/people/staff assume all whites are tourists? I guess the same way they believe all blacks are gansters .... carry on.
And how do these pool goers "look"?
Lemmie see:
Tee shirt wearers ,eh? Not the typical touristic pool attire,eh?
I agree with Management on this one!
However, if whites are allowed and not blacks, then it could be considered prejudicial.
Pronouncements on facilities usage, should be forthcoming from Management.
Where there is prejudice, it should be rooted out. Where there are usage protocols, pronouncements should be made to the same, to avoid confusion.
Come VG.LDB has the same sh!* .They block the public entrance to the beach by blocking the public road not to say those.in authority is not aware. My visiting friends was.stop &told they can't enter except going to eat or have room reservations. These people were regulars every year prior Irma.It very embarrassing
Govt needs to address this now
needs
One idiot spoken about hiring profesional staff at the front desk, let me tell you something I go to Lambert every week 99% of the people that works there are blacks and are from here.. Then you saying the people from here not profesional. Lambert staffs are very nice. I need to k**k your @#% out of my island, stop taking nonsense.
but in democratic system every person have freedom to discuss