The Tribune

FAMILY Island hoteliers said it was back to business following Hurricane Sandy, with several executives telling Tribune Business their properties had not sustained any major damage.

Sandals Emerald Bay’s general manager told Tribune Business the resort had suffered no structural damage as a result of the storm, and the property had already been cleared of debris.

“We did OK. The entire island fared pretty well. We suffered no structural damage. There was some landscaping, which we took care of, and there is the golf course that will take a few days because of flooding, but other than that we did well,” said Jeremy Mutton.

“The hotel is 100 per cent operational. Right now we are at about 85 per cent occupancy, and later in the week we will be at 100 per cent.”

Adam Showell, co-owner and interim general manager of the Green Turtle Club and Marina in Abaco, told Tribune Business that the resort’s opening had to be postponed because of Sandy, noting that the storm surge had caused some damage to the resort.

“We had a significant storm surge,” he said. “We were supposed to open last Friday, but that got pushed back because of the storm. We had to delay the opening to November 16, so we will be open for the Thanksgiving holiday.

“We had some wind damage, but most of the damage was due to the storm surge. That caused damage to the wood floor, carpet and some of the air conditioning units. We have a wedding party in on November 7, and a wedding reception on November 10, which we will no longer be able to accomodate. We had a very good book of business prior to the storm.”

Kenricka Curtis-Fawkes, manager of Sammy T’s Beach Resort on Cat Island, said the property had not suffered any major damage and was expecting guests in next week.

“We only lost a few shingles, and there were a few trees that were blown down. We will have guests coming in this week. we’re just trying to get the property cleaned up,” she said.

A Bimini Big Game Club executive told Tribune Business: “We survived. There was no major damage to the property, just a few downed coconut trees but nothing major.”

The Pink Sands Resort, Harbour Island, in a notice on its website, said: “Hurricane Sandy passed over Harbour Island, and here at Pink Sands we are all well. No damage, just a bit of clean-up of some vegetation. It’s business as usual and we’re thrilled to welcome guests.”