SANDALS Royal Bahamian resort will close for four weeks to "address structural and other damage" sustained from Hurricane Irene, according to a statement from Chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart.
Staff were informed of the impending closure yesterday afternoon.
The resort's 600 employees were encouraged to take vacation time or leave during the temporary closure, The Tribune understands.
Only essential personnel - engineers and landscaping staff - will be engaged during the closure.
The last guest at the Cable Beach resort should leave the property by Saturday and those who are booked to stay at the hotel will be moved to its sister property Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma, said a company spokesman.
The property is expected to re-open on September 28.
"We're not letting anybody go. Unlike other properties we've made a commitment to our team members after this month of closure that everyone will still be employed. We're inviting everybody to take vacation or go on leave during this period," said the spokesman.
"We have a very dedicated group of people who work here and they understand the situation. Even before this happened they understood this was a soft period (approaching) so a lot of them had booked vacation time or asked for leave."
During the closure, hotel bosses will also upgrade older facilities on the property including the Manor Building, built in the 1940s.
A statement issued by Sandals Resorts International Chairman Gordon Stewart blamed the passage of Irene for the closure.
"Last week, our beautiful islands took a severe pounding from the rains and winds of Hurricane Irene. Roads and communities were inundated, electricity supplies cut off, roofs were damaged and life, as we know it, was disrupted.
"We also owe a great debt of gratitude to our team members, many of whom volunteered to remain on property to ensure the protection and comfort of our valued guests, knowing that their own homes were under threat of flooding or structural damage.
"Their selfless efforts made it possible for our guests to weather the storm with minimal discomfort and to stabilise and protect our operations at Sandals Royal Bahamian and Sandals Emerald Bay. We will work as speedily as possible and spare no effort to ensure that all our facilities are restored to the world-class standard which is the hallmark of Sandals Resorts and our beautiful country.
"In the case of Sandals Royal Bahamian, this will mean a period of closure of about four weeks to address some structural and other damage. However, Sandals Emerald Bay, which was spared significant damage, will remain open."
Earlier this week, another property on the Cable Beach strip - the all-inclusive Super Clubs Breezes - announced it will close September 1 to October 31 to repair damages from Irene.
By TANEKA THOMPSON
Deputy Chief Reporter
tthompson@tribunemedia.net
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