10 Top Reasons Why You Need to Visit Lake Mainstay Resort

March 6, 2018

GxMedia
7 years ago
0

But first some History…

Lake Mainstay Resort birthed in the early 1980s amidst a major foreign currency shortage. In those days, the then People’s National Congress (PNC) Government under President Forbes Burnham had imposed a tight restriction on persons travelling out of Guyana with foreign currencies.

Incidentally, many senior Government functionaries in the Cabinet and the Judiciary, used to spend their vacation overseas. With the foreign currency restriction, their ability to vacation abroad was severely restricted, and an alternative had to be found.

President Burnham came up with the idea of creating a resort second to none and equal to any beyond these shorts. Thus, the resort was built and an airstrip was constructed nearby. The resort was also intended to be a place where the President holds his Cabinet meetings in scenic and serene ambience, arriving in and descending from a helicopter.

Unfortunately, President Burnham was called to the Great Beyond months before his splendid creation was commissioned. With his death, Lake Mainstay Resort was never officially opened by the PNC Government, and his successor, President Desmond Hoyte, quickly set aside the tight restriction on foreign currency possession while implementing a raft of measures which opened up and breathed new life into the economy. No longer constrained by a tight foreign currency restriction, many senior Government functionaries opted to vacation abroad, and the beautiful paradise was left in a state of abandonment. The resort was used for some time since 1988 with training activities for the Guyana National Service. Thereafter, it was left abandoned and termites and the weather along with tropical forest vegetation destroyed all wooden materials on the luxurious buildings along with vandalism of all Electrical, plumbing fittings etc.

The new PPP/C Government in 1992 promised to place emphasis on tourism, and bids were open to private individuals/entrepreneurs to restore and manage the vacation site.

In 1997, five businessmen collaborated and won the bid to rehab the then defunct facility. They proceeded to repossess the buildings and compound back from the forest and started renovating the 40 plus buildings etc. at a cost of approximately US$3 M dollars. The resort was finally officially opened on December 4, 1999 by H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo.

Management of the resort is committed to make Lake Mainstay Resort the number one (#1) vacation spot in Guyana.

The resort attracts both local and international guests.

So enough about the history lesson, here are the top 10 reasons why you should visit Lake Mainstay Resort.

Wide Open spaces with top level privacy – unlike cramped destinations which feature a public swimming pool, Lake Mainstay Resort offers guests the freedom to explore a long strip of beach with well-designed benabs for comfort, convenience and privacy. Guests feel secure since even the accommodation is cleverly designed with Privacy in mind.
Comfort in harmony with nature – despite the fact that the resort is largely attractive due to its flamboyant natural surroundings; it has been hallmarked for having very comfortable self-contained lodges. These lodges are oftentimes referred to as cabins and they are all equipped with air-conditioning, refrigerator, television, telephone, seating, closets, beds and private bathroom.
A freshwater lake – unlike the water you will find on beaches in the Caribbean which looks clear and reflects the blue sky, the water at Lake Mainstay Resort is totally different. This is a special kind of water. The lake’s water is fresh and drinkable and it has a tea-colour due to the therapeutic component from the leaves in the surrounding rainforest. Popularly called “black-water” this water is not salty like many sea water but rather taste just like fresh drinking water. As a result of this, the lake’s water does not leave your skin dry and scaly after a swim but rather it’s natural components help to make your skin appear fresher and cleaner.
A deck bar – the featured bar for this resort is a thing of beauty. Its well-decided location give tourists a view that will make their stresses vanish. It is always well stocked due to excellent management and very good customer service can always be expected.
Conference facility – the main reason why the resort was initially constructed was to host Government Officials and keep cabinet meetings. Consequently, the resort has two purpose-built conference facilities in the quiet sections of the compound and are ideal to host executive meetings, birthday parties, family reunions, weddings, retreats or any other event persons may find fit to celebrate in style and class.
It’s an adventure to get there! The Resort is located on the Essequibo Coast and travelling from Georgetown to this area is an adventure package in its self. The multi-mode form of transportation takes you away from the bustling city of Georgetown, to Parika (East Bank Essequibo) by road. Then you are taken across the mighty Essequibo River either by speed boats or by a tamer form of water transportation, the Ferry. When you arrive Supenaam (West Coast Essequibo) you are taken on a few miles of off-road expedition through the Essequibo rice lands and to the Amerindian village Mainstay. You arrive to a welcoming jar of swank (lime/lemon juice with ice).
You can bring your own drink! If you want to walk with your own drink – not a problem! While the resort offers a variety of local and foreign drinks in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms, you are not prevented with taking along your own kind of drink.
There is always something exciting to do at Mainstay Resort. The water activities are endless; you can go fishing on a boat in the lake, ride a jet-sky or float around in a canoe. There are number of outdoor and indoor games you can take part of. The main lobby sports a pool table and several board games to keep you happy.
The food is excellent and 100% local. You might be greeted with bhigan choka (steamed eggplant with pepper, onions and garlic) and roti for breakfast. Lunch might be Guyanese cook-up rice and a tall glass of coconut water. The choices are endless and the staff goes the extra mile to meet your eating needs.
On a tight budget, no problem – the packages are affordable. And they always a promotion that you can cash in on.