Hurricane Irma: Caribbean Islands and hotel update

    Following the events of Hurricane Irma, many clients, colleagues and friends have been asking for a status report on the hotels in the area.

President of Ovation Vacations, Jack S. Ezon, compiled an update on the region and how his own company is reacting to the natural disaster: “For your reference, we have about US$18 million in displaced business, mostly from St Barts and Anguilla… The good news is that most of Caribbean came out of Irma unscathed.”

Mr Ezon continued: “Our advice to clients has been to wait until the end of this week to see where things fall after further investigation. Indeed, as you know the situation is still very raw with so many of our dear friends without water or electricity. Some of the philanthropic efforts we have heard are heartwarming, and we are working on our own philanthropic investigation as there are so many people wanting to help but are unsure how to.”

Summary of destination damage

• Turks and Caicos: Island badly hurt, many people lost their homes, airport now open for full operation as of 13 September.
• St Maarten: The island sustained terrible damaged, the airport is closed until further notice, humanitarian and military flights only pending government approval.
• Anguilla: Suffered the full impact of the hurricane.
• St Barts: Severely damaged by direct hit, no solid news as of yet, minimal electricity on the island.
• US Virgin Islands: Sustained significant damage, STT Airport remains closed, humanitarian and military flights only pending government approval.
• Barbuda: 100% evacuated.
• Antigua: Island has not been badly damaged, hotels on schedule for annual opening.
• Dominican Republic: Island did not receive a direct impact and minor damage reported, all airports open and fully operational.
• Cuba: Havana caught the tail winds of the hurricane so was not as badly affected as the rest of the country east of the city, Havana is expected to be fully operational; the further east your travel up the northern coats the worst the damage gets, starting in Varadero Beach, then east to Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria both of which have received incalculable damage (to both the causeway and the keys). Holguin and Santiago de Cuba will most likely take a long time to repair enough to host tourists again.

Summary of hotel damage: Grace Bay Club, Turks & Caicos Expected opening date: 1 October 2017 Still assessing damage but at the moment Grace Bay, West Bay are closed till 30 September to complete necessary cleanup and repairs. This date is subject to change as the island’s infrastructure is assessed. Beach Enclave, Turks & Caicos Expected opening date: 8 November 2017 Amanyara, Turks & Caicos Expected opening date: 1 November 2017 Mostly landscaping damage. Gansevoort Turks & Caicos Expected opening date: 1 November 2017 The damages to the hotel were not severe, however, the resort is not prepared to receive guests at this time. It did experience some issues that need to be repaired on the balconies and public areas. Landscaping repairs are also required. Full refunds will be given to those within affected dates. COMO Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos Expected opening date: TBC Resort was on annual close; currently working with the local authorities to determine the impact that Hurricane Irma has had on the island and community, and to ascertain the damage to the resort. The Palms Turks & Caicos Expected opening date: 1 November 2017 Mostly landscaping damage. The Shore Club Turks & Caicos Expected opening date: 1 November 2017 Mostly landscaping damage. Belmond La Samanna, St Martin Expected opening date: at least one year Sustained significant damage and will probably remain closed for the season. The Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St Maarten Expected opening date: TBC Sustained significant damage and will remain closed for the season. Malliouhana, An Auberge Resort, Anguilla Expected opening date: 15 October 2017 Upon preliminary review there appears to be no major structural damage to the resort. The team is now assessing the extent of the cleanup required in greater detail and we will know by the end of next week if the resort will re-open on schedule. Four Seasons Resort Anguilla Expected opening date: 16 January 2018 No structural damage, more details TBC, Four Seasons is willing to fully refund any guests who have paid for future bookings. CuisinArt Resort, Anguilla Expected opening date: at least one year Sustained significant damage. Ownership remains fully committed to rebuild, better than ever, but they are anticipating a year to do this. This obviously affects all existing reservations that need to be cancelled and where your invaluable assistance is necessary. They are working on getting the generator up. They will begin the processing of refunds once systems are back up and running. Zemi Beach House, Anguilla Minor damages, mostly to landscaping. Eden Rock, St Barth Expected opening date: TBC Severe damage. Cheval Blanc Ile de France, St Barth Expected opening date: TBC Severe damage. Le Guanahani, St Barth Expected opening date: TBC Le Sereno, St Barth Expected opening date: TBC Le Barthélemy, St Barth Expected opening date: TBC Hotel Christopher, St Barth Expected opening date: TBC Moderate damage. Le Toiny, St Barth Expected opening date: TBC Moderate damage. Villa Marie, St Barth Expected opening date: TBC Moderate damage. Necker Island, BVI Expected opening date: TBC Severe damage. Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda Expected opening date: TBC Closed for renovation. Severe damage. The Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas Closed until further notice. Caneel Bay, St John Closed until further notice. Jumby Bay, Antigua Expected opening date: 9 October 2017 Carlisle Bay, Antigua Expected opening date: 14 October 2017 Curtain Bluff Resort, Antigua Expected opening date: 28 October 2017 Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Puerto Rico Expected opening date: open Minor landscaping damages. Amanera, Dominican Republic Expected opening date: 1 November 2017 Minor landscaping, closed for annual repair. Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic Expected opening date: open Minor landscaping damages. Eden Roc at Cap Cana, Dominican Republic Expected opening date: open Minor landscaping damages.