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Robert De Niro Builds $250M Nobu Beach Resort on Princess Diana’s Beloved Barbuda
Robert De Niro, the two-time Oscar-winning actor and global hotelier, has turned his decades-long love affair with Barbuda into one of the Caribbean’s most ambitious luxury projects. Alongside business partners James Packer and Daniel Shamoon, De Niro is developing The Beach Club Barbuda, a $250 million resort set on the island’s pristine Princess Diana Beach — a stretch of coastline once favoured by the late Princess of Wales.
The centrepiece of the development is the Nobu Beach Inn, a luxury hotel composed of 17 private villas, each offering up to 6,000 square feet of living space. Guests and residents will enjoy private beach gardens, ice baths, outdoor showers, tennis courts, a spa, watersports, and — true to Nobu’s global reputation — an omakase sushi bar. “This is hassle-free Caribbean living,” says Daniel Shamoon, describing a service standard where every detail, from clothing to cocktails, is prepared before guests arrive.
From Hurricane Ruins to a New Vision
Barbuda has not had an easy path. In 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island, destroying nearly every structure and displacing its 1,600 residents. Even De Niro’s modest beachfront cottage was battered by the storm. Yet the actor rebuilt, insisting that his projects honour Barbuda’s natural beauty rather than overwhelm it.
His new home will sit on the same beachfront where his old cottage once stood, complete with “a few extra bedrooms, a pool and a tennis court.” But this time, it will stand among a broader vision: a resort community designed to bring the barefoot luxury ethos of Nobu to an island still rebuilding its identity.
Luxury Meets Low Impact
The developers are branding The Beach Club Barbuda as a “low-impact, nature-first” resort. Villas will be nestled discreetly within lush landscaping by Miami designer Raymond Jungles, designed to be invisible from the shoreline. Buyers of the private residences — starting at $12 million — can customise them with wine cellars, home cinemas, and more. For those seeking even larger estates, plots of up to 5.5 acres are available from $7 million.
And while the price tags scream exclusivity, the ethos is understated. “It’s very low-key and subtle,” Shamoon explains. “You have all the elements of a luxury resort, but you don’t need to show them off.”
Robert De Niro with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa
A Boost for Barbuda’s Future
Not everyone welcomes the transformation. Critics argue the resort risks turning Barbuda into an enclave for the ultra-wealthy, sidelining locals still recovering from disaster. De Niro pushes back, emphasizing his commitment to training local staff, incubating small businesses, and ensuring that Barbuda benefits economically from the project.
The new Burton-Nibbs International Airport, capable of accommodating private jets, signals a shift toward attracting global elites. But De Niro insists the goal is to preserve Barbuda’s “beauty and tranquility.”
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Hollywood Star, Reluctant Mogul
With over 120 films to his name, Robert De Niro could easily rest on his Hollywood laurels. Instead, the 82-year-old continues to expand his Nobu empire — now boasting more than 60 restaurants and 19 hotels worldwide. For him, the reward is simple: “The biggest reward is if people like it and come back.”
The Beach Club Barbuda is set for completion in 2026, promising to blend celebrity sparkle, eco-conscious design, and Caribbean serenity — on a beach once cherished by royalty.
