Belize Timeshare and Jamaica Timeshare After Dean
Friday, August 24, 2007
This posting of The Timeshare Owners Blog is rather long, but I want to provide you a comprehensive report on timeshare resorts in areas affected by Hurricane Dean.
As reported previously in the Timeshare Owners Blog, the timeshare resorts of Cozumel, Cancun, and the Caymans may have missed the worst of Hurricane Dean. And while Belize and Jamaica took harder hits from the storm, the resort areas escaped severe damage. Overall, it was the Costa Maya region of Mexico (just north of Belize) and Martinique that suffered the worst destruction from Hurricane Dean.
On August 19, 2007, Hurricane Dean passed 40 miles south of Jamaica. By 21 August, the airports in Kingston and Montego Bay had reopened but across the island, there are still some power outages and problems with water supplies and transportation in certain areas.
The Travel Diva, Ellen Creager, reported on Thursday that, “Major tourism properties in Jamaica, the rest of the Caribbean and Mexico are mostly intact”. She also says that the north coast of Jamaica (where most tourism properties are located) had much less damage than the residential areas on the island’s southeast side.
A phone call to the Sandals Grande Ochos Rios Beach and Villa Resort assured the Timeshare Owners Blog that the timeshare resort is open and operational for business. Club Caribbean, which is part of the DeCameron All-Inclusive Hotels and Resorts vacation club network, reports no damage at Royal DeCameron.
Here is a list from the Jamaican Tourism Board, of facilities that have reported damages. You may read the full list at the Tourist Board’s website.
- In Montego Bay Coyaba and Tryall Resorts report minimal damages.
- In Kingston the Pegasus Hotel is temporarily out of service.
- In Ocho Rios, only the Bahia Principe and Heart Academy report damage and they identify it as minimal.
- On the Southcoast and in Mandeville, the following resorts report damages and you are advised to contact the resort directly to confirm their availability and operational condition: Appleton Estate, Astra Hotel, Golf View Hotel, Holland Bamboo, Jake’s, Lovers Leap, Mandeville Hotel, and Villa Bella.
We also have reports from Marriott that the Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort, Rose Hall is reopen as of Friday, August 24, 2007. The telephone number to call if you have further questions about Marriott properties in Jamaica is (800) 228-9290.
British nationals experiencing problems in Jamaica can call (+44) (0) 20 7008 500 for assistance. US citizens in Jamaica who require assistance should call (202) 501-4444. For information about US citizens in Jamaica you may call 1-888-407-4747 from the US or Canada.
The website for Belize Emergency Information is a good resource for getting updates about your Belize timeshare or Belize timeshare resale. Director of Belize Tourism Tracy Panton says, “With no major damages, most of the country’s hotels and attractions are welcoming guests merely one day after the hurricane passed”. The Belize Tourism Board reports water, electricity, and telephone services have been restored except in the northern Corozal District.
- Costa Maya Reef Resort has minor structural damage and beach erosion and will shortly be releasing their date for reopening.
- Captain Morgan’s Vacation Beach Club is closed for annual renovations. It experienced minor damages and will be reopening on schedule on October 1.
I do not have specific reports on the status of the Seven Seas Resort Timeshare, the Grand Colony Island Villas, or other Belize resorts and Belize timeshares, but you can contact the Belize Tourism Board at 1-800-624-0686 for further information as it becomes available.
…More Updates on Resorts and Timeshares throughout the Caribbean
The Cay Compass News Online reported, “At the Hyatt Regency, guests will be returning to the hotel on Thursday,” according to Diego Concha, general manager. They also reported that the Westin, Comfort suites, Cobalt Coat, Sunshine Suites and Compass Point were all also accepting guests on Tuesday, the next day after Hurricane Dean passed through.
The Grand Caymanian Resort reopened on Wednesday, August 22, and the Cay Compass carried this quote from Don Foster at the resort, “Timeshare people generally have a specific week and many of them are still hoping to get something out of it. If the visitors can make it down to Cayman on Wednesday they still have Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to enjoy their vacation, for them it’s still worth it.”
On August 22, Marriott issued a news release saying that the Marriott International’s properties in Cancun were open and operational, including The Ritz-Carlton Cancun; the JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa; and the Casa Magna Marriott Cancun Resort. Marriott hotels scheduled to reopen on Friday, August 24 include:
- The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
- Grand Cayman Marriott Resort
- Courtyard by Marriott Grand Cayman Hotel
- And in Jamaica: The Ritz-Carlton, Golf and Spa Resort, Rose Hall
And as one last important note: The loss of life due to Hurricane Dean is its most devastating aftereffect, and Sell My Timeshare NOW mourns with the rest of the world over the 13 (and perhaps more as yet unreported) lives lost due to Hurricane Dean.
Second to the sorrow of loss of life is the loss of income sources for so many of the storm’s victims. Dominica’s Agriculture Minister, Colin McIntyre reports that the island has lost 99 percent of its banana crop. The islands of Martinique and St. Lucia also report losing their entire banana crops, while damages to Jamaica’s crops are still being assessed. The aftermath of Dean will linger long after the sunshine returns to Caribbean skies.