Hurricane Ike Update for Hotels and Timeshare Resorts
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Here are some updates about hotels and timeshare resorts that may have been affected by Hurricane Ike. The list is not complete and is constantly being updated by officials as more information becomes available in the aftermath of this terrible storm.
Remember that damages from Ike have not been limited to Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast states; this storm has left downed trees, damaged roofs, flooding and power outages in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and continues its path of devastation across the US, as well as the damage and fatalities the storm wrought nearly a week ago in the Caribbean, Haiti, Cuba, and the Turks and Cacaos.
Update from Sheraton, Westin, and Starwood (information updated as of 3PM Sunday, September 14, 2008):
Four Points by Sheraton Houston Southwest
“Due to damages from hurricane Ike the hotel is closed to arrivals from Saturday, September 13th through Thursday, September 18. Guests due to arrive during this time are being contacted and reservations cancelled. The Houston area is still experiencing high winds from Hurricane Ike. As a result, please be advised guests are not able to receive phone calls. However all guests are accounted for and there are no injuries at this time.”
Four Points by Sheraton Houston, Memorial City
“Due to Hurricane Ike, Guests are not in their guest rooms, and have been relocated to a central area within the hotel. The area is still experiencing high winds and heavy rains.”
Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotel
“Due to Hurricane Gustav, the Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Hotel will be closed for arrivals September 2, 2008 through and including October 1, 2008 (subject to change).”
Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel
“The Sheraton Houston Brookhollow hotel is closed to arrivals due to Hurricane Ike. All guests with reservations due to arrive on Thursday September 11 through Sunday, September 21 are being contacted and reservations cancelled.”
Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental
“The Sheraton North Houston at George Bush Intercontinental hotel is closed to arrivals due to Hurricane Ike. All guests with reservations due to arrive between Friday, September 12 and Tuesday, September 23, 2008 are being contacted and their reservations are cancelled.”
“Please be advised that the hotel will be closing operations to all arrivals and in-house guests due to hurricane Ike, beginning Thursday, September 11 through Monday, September 15. Any advance deposits or cancellation fees for these dates will be refunded or waived.”
“Due to damages from Hurricane Ike, the hotel is closed to arrivals from September 13 through Tuesday, September 16.”
“Due to damages from Hurricane Ike, the hotel is closed to arrivals from September 13 through Tuesday, September 16.”
Update from Marriott Hotels and Marriott Timeshare Resorts (as of Saturday, September 13, 2008)
“Many hotels are open, and efforts are underway to fully restore operations in those affected by the hurricane … Most of the hotels that housed guests through the storm have essential utilities or are using generator power, if needed. Early reports indicate damage to some rooftops and windows, as well as the landscaping …
… Guests with confirmed reservations for an arrival date of Saturday, September 13, and beyond should contact the hotel directly or our toll-free reservations number at (888) 236-2427 …
… Generally, cancellation fees are being waived for guests holding confirmed reservations at the hotels that are or will be affected by the storm. However, hotels reserve the right to make this decision on a case-by-case basis … the Galveston and Houston area hotels are not accepting new reservations until further notice … We are accepting reservations and have rooms available in Dallas and other areas of Texas.”
Marriott will post updates at: www.MarriottNewsroom.com
Update from Hilton Hotels (as of 5 PM Saturday, September 13, 2008)
The Hilton Americas Houston and Hilton Post Oak are open and accepting reservations.
The Doubletree Hotel Houston Downtown has sustained damage to its elevators and has been temporarily closed. The guests staying at the Doubletree were relocated to the Hilton Americas Houston. The Doubletree Hotel Houston Downtown will remain closed until Tuesday, September 16 at the earliest.
Homewood Suites in Clear Lake remains closed in compliance with the directive of the local authorities.
The Hilton Hotel in Clear Lake sustained damages when a large section of the hotel’s front wall fell on a FOX 26 live truck.
Executives for Hilton state that, “Generally, cancellation fees are being waived for guests holding confirmed reservations at the Hilton Family of Hotels that have been affected by the storm. However, hotels reserve the right to make this decision on a case-by-case basis.”
Galveston Timeshare Resorts
No reports on whether the following timeshare resorts survived the winds and water of Hurricane Ike. As of now, no one is being allowed on Galveston Island except rescue workers, who have been unable to reach large portions of the island. Much of Galveston Island is still underwater and city services such as water and electricity are not available.
- Escapes! to the Gulf at Galveston
- Four Seasons on the Gulf
- Inverness by the Sea
- Silverleaf’s Seaside Resort – Galveston, TX
Willis, Texas Timeshares
The Landing at Seven Coves Timeshares is closed due to power outages. No report on damages.
Other Updates on Damage from Hurricane Ike:
Continental Airlines
According to Fox News, “Continental Airlines is currently assessing the impact of Hurricane Ike at its facilities, including its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), its headquarters building in downtown Houston and other Houston facilities such as maintenance and reservations.
Customers scheduled to travel to, from or through the Houston hub are encouraged to postpone or reroute their trip without penalty to avoid possible inconvenience. The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via www.continental.com.”
Other airlines may resume service from Bush Intercontinental Airport starting Monday, September 15.
Grocery stores in Huston are beginning to reopen as of Sunday, September 14, 2008.
The Caribbean and the Turks and Caicos
“Wind damage appears to have been catastrophic in Grand Turk, on Salt Cay (a small inhabited island to the south of Grand Turk) and on Great Inagua. Widespread wind damage is also reported from South Caicos,” according to the Bahamas Net News.
Carnival will resume cruises to Grand Turk Island on October 8, 2008. On Grand Turk, Carnival Cruise Line’s two-year-old, $60 million cruise ship terminal was damaged, as were more than 80 percent of the buildings on the island. Carnival says its facilities will remain closed until Oct. 8, and assesses the damages to the terminal at $5 to $10 million.
Providenciales, the main tourist island in the Turks and Caicos regained commercial air service last Tuesday and many hotels, including Club Med and others on 12-mile Grace Bay, have re-opened.
Beaches Resort Turks & Cacaos will not reopen until Nov. 15, due to cosmetic damage.
Amanyara Resort also remains closed.
The Timeshare Authority will keep you updated as further information becomes available regarding the resorts and related conditions following Hurricane Ike. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Sell My Timeshare NOW are with the millions of people who are directly and indirectly affected by this storm.
