Film star Robert De Niro is to develop a US$250m (€223m, £158.8m) hotel and spa resort in Barbuda, the lesser known twin island of Antigua, according to the Caribbean Journal newspaper.

The project includes the refurbishment and expansion of K-Club, a resort which became famous in the 90s as a hideaway for Princess Diana but closed eight years ago.

The newspaper says De Niro is partnering with Australian media mogul James Packer on the deal. Packer also owns the Crowns Resorts which has three major destinations with multiple spas: one in Melbourne, Perth and the City of Dreams resort in Macau, China.

De Niro is no stranger to the leisure industry either. He co-owns The Greenwich hotel and Shibui Spa in New York (see SB11/1 p44) and is a shareholder in a number of Nobu facilities, including the first Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas where Nobu has created a spa treatment menu at the Qua Baths & Spa.

As reported by Spa Opportunities, De Niro, along with partners chef Nobu Matsuhisa Hollywood producer Meir Teper also recently opened the Nobu Hotel in Manila.

For more, see the new 2015 Spa Business Handbook.