Golden Rock Resort reclaims restaurants as operator collapses — staff and creditors left with open questions
ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius — Golden Rock Dive, Nature & Beach Resort on Sint Eustatius has taken back full management of its restaurants after ending its agreement with Executive Horeca Group B.V. The former operator has now informed suppliers that it intends to file for bankruptcy, citing significant financial difficulties and mounting debts.
The resort confirmed the management change in a written response to BES-Reporter, but declined to comment on Executive Horeca Group’s outstanding obligations to creditors.
According to the resort, it has always owned the restaurant buildings and interiors. Day-to-day management was outsourced to Executive Horeca Group, which the resort identified as a company owned by its managing director, Tiaan Grobler.
“All restaurants and F&B services at the resort continue to operate as normal, and our focus is on ensuring continuity for our guests, team and partners,” the resort wrote. The response was signed by Natasha Hooper, managing director, and Marloes van den Boogaard, operations manager.
Former operator informs creditors
In an email to suppliers on Wednesday, September 23 — four days after the operating agreement ended — seen by BES-Reporter, Grobler states that EHG’s agreement with Golden Rock was terminated on September 19, 2026, following an extended period of financial challenges. The agreement ended on that date; the email to suppliers was sent once the transition had been completed.
He attributes the company’s accumulated liabilities to the commercial terms and circumstances under which it operated. Despite efforts to find a viable way forward, he writes, EHG can no longer continue in its current form.
Management has therefore decided to begin filing for bankruptcy, with the process expected to formally commence in the coming week. The email announces that intention; it does not establish that a court has declared the company bankrupt or that a trustee has been appointed.
Grobler apologises to suppliers and business partners and acknowledges that the company has been unable to repay all amounts owed. He says outstanding invoices and claims will need to be handled through a trustee once appointed.
New contracts offered, questions over accrued rights remain
The resort says all Executive Horeca Group employees have been offered new employment contracts directly with the resort. It did not specify the terms.
Multiple staff members who contacted BES-Reporter earlier this week — independently of one another — expressed concern about outstanding overtime, accrued leave and other entitlements. Several sources alleged that employees could be asked to relinquish those balances as a condition of employment under the new arrangement.
The position of foreign workers whose contracts and work permits are tied to Executive Horeca Group also remains unclear. Neither the resort’s response nor Grobler’s email explains how these matters will be resolved.
The two statements follow earlier reporting by BES-Reporter based on accounts from creditors on Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius and employees connected to the resort and its restaurants. They clarify the change in management and EHG’s bankruptcy plans, while leaving the treatment of employees’ accrued entitlements and the prospects for creditor repayment unresolved.
