OCT. 99
ACCOMODATION
HURRICANE JOSE DAMAGE REPORTS

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Sat 23rd: I talked to Rob Sherman, the head of the hotels association, last night. He had just returned from a tour of the hotels and assures me that damage at all but two hotels is superficial and is being straightened up over the next day or two. IF YOU DON'T FIND INFORMATION ON A HOTEL HERE YOU SHOULD ASSUME EVERYTHING IS OK THERE. I can't say the same thing for villas and condos. ANY LIST OF CLOSED HOTELS THAT YOU MAY FIND WILL NOT ADEQUATELY REFLECT THE EXTENT OF STORM DAMAGE AS SEVERAL UNAFFECTED HOTELS WERE ALREADY CLOSED FOR ANNUAL REDECORATION.

The two damaged hotels are Rex Halcyon and Rex Blue Heron which will be closing for a short while. since then I have been told that Sandels is closing for a clean-up. I am sure that all guests will be relocated at other hotels and their stay will not be spoiled. I am advised by an independent source that Blue Waters, Curtain Bluff, Pineapple Beach and Hawksbill are in excellent shape and these would be the recommended hotels for immediate use after the hurricane.

Antigua Village - I haven't walked the property yet but I hear everything is OK there. I DID look at their sea front which was so messed up by George and it looks fine. The restaurant Spinnakers was still in tact and they were cleaning up superficial debris when I was there that should be fine by now.

Barrymore Beach Club: Mon, 25 Oct 1999. The hotel was already closed for a spruce-up prior to the hurricane. Brian Gordon BARYGUES@candw.ag writes:

"This is a short Jose report from Barrymore Beach Club. Quite a bit of garden mess to clean up, but thankfully no mature trees went down. We should be looking good by end of October. The office building survived 100% intact although our fax line went down this morning. All other lines working as normal. Our new beach bar & restaurant came through 99% intact just losing a few shingles and loosening up a few more. All 4 apartment buildings lost patches of shingles which resulted in most apartments getting rather wet inside, however, other than a few wet mattresses, very little else got damaged due to preparation, A few louvres and a couple of windows. Guessing that the electricity will take a couple of weeks to come back, we are planning to reopen on November 5th, by which time all repairs should be completed."

Blue Waters - I am advised by an independent source that Blue Waters is in excellent shape and could be recommended for immediate use after the hurricane.

Kelly Denton MARKETBLUEWATER@aol.com confirms that...

"Hi Nick, Just to confirm that; "Blue Waters is fully up and running and was very lucky not to suffer any structural damage what so ever, all facilities at the hotel are all available and All guests are Welcomed !!!! "

CaribrepVillas: Mon, 25 Oct 1999. Barbara Japal caribrep@caribrepvillas.com writes:

"Hello Nick: Caribrepvillas is reporting that we have had minimal damage to our list of luxury villas around the Island, however several of the lovely gardens were trashed, we are clipping and cutting and hoping for showers so the re growth can begin, Villa guests are always treated to having lovely tropical gardens to enhance their holiday experience so they may be a little disappointed.. we are working resolutely but we need help. Know any gardeners??"

Curtain Bluff- I am advised by an independent source that Curtain Bluff is in excellent shape and could be recommended for immediate use after the hurricane.

Jacaranda Apts: Sat, 23 Oct 1999. Paul Delisle delislep@candw.ag writes:

"No serious damage from Jose and all Apts. are in good shape. The access road is under a bit of water but no problem to drive through !!"

Jolly Harbour report

Hawksbill Hotel - I spoke to the Manager's wife who told me that damage was superficial, mainly to trees and shrubs, but that the clean up was almost complete and the beach and rooms were fine. I am advised by an independent source that Hawksbill is in excellent shape and could be recommended for immediate use after the hurricane.

Rex Blue Heron - The sea ran through this nice little beach hotel and it is closing for renovations. It will re-open Dec 1st I am told.

Rex Halcyon - Several damaged rooms means that this hotel too will close until Dec 1st. I am sure it will be fine by then. The beach is still GREAT!

Royal Antiguan - One restaurant open and the air conditioners working. The pool was messed up and will be closed for 10 days. They always have problems with their elevators after a hurricane which can cause concern if your on the 7th floor (great view though while you're recovering!). You might want to request a lower floor.

Pineapple Beach - I am advised by an independent source that Pineapple Beach is in excellent shape and could be recommended for immediate use after the hurricane.

Sandels - Jodie_Pennington@cor.gov wrote " Dear Nick, I live just outside Dallas Texas in the United States. First let me thank you for the work you do and the information you provide to people who may be coming to your island, it is an invaluable service to us so far away. My fiance and myself are flying into Antigua on Nov. 6, 1999 to stay at Sandals resort for a week, we are to be married at the resort on Nov. 9th. We have sunk all our money into this trip because we want it to be very special marriage for both of us. I'm writing to ask you if you have any information on this resort and what the condition of the island will be in on that week. Our travel agent says everything will be fine, but she works on commission so I'm much more inclined to believe you and the other volunteers on your island than her. "

Jodie's email highlights a problem that is appearing in many correspondents and I wish I had ALL the answers. I do know that Sandals is closing for a clean-up and will be re-opening on Nov 1st. This hotel is very non comunicative, (we are still waiting for an update on last year's hurricane Georges!). I haven't walked the property but I have spoken to those who have and understand that damage was not serious. THEY TAKE THEIR GUEST'S HAPPINESS SERIOUSLY and I am sure they are just shutting down foe a short while to ensure that their services are iseal. Check with your travel agent about re-opening dates. ONCE THEY RE-OPEN BE CONFIDENT THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE.

Sandhaven Hotel (Runnaway Beach) - Sunday 23nd Oct. 1999: I took the photo on the left of the beach at THIS EVENING. Like most beaches it is untouched by the storm, in fact Jose may have deposited more sand than was originally there. As the sun set, locals enjoyed a sunset drink at Lashings, the hotel's popular bar and restaurant perched right on the waters edge. You can see a few tourists swimming in the now tranquil sea. I have spoken directly with management at Sandhaven Hotel and KNOW this inexpensive hotel to be unaffected by the storm.

Yepton Beach Resort - There have been some reports indicating roof damage ay Yeptons but I spoke to Doug, who lives there, and he assures me that they are open and only superficially affected by the storm.

You can read my diary of the storm here

Back to our main hurricane reports page

 

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