fp Turks and Caicos

After closing for five weeks, Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa re-opened Oct. 6 to guests with lots of fanfare.

“We have touched basically every area of the resort,” said General Manager Adrian Whitehead of the repairs, which included everything from landscaping, to painting, to draining of pools was completed during the five week closure.

“We have managed to achieve about double the amount of work we did after Hurricane Ike in about half the length of time,” he said. “We are proud of the team that have come together to make this happen and even prouder to welcome the guests back to the resort.”

Guests were warmly welcomed back with music, dancing and rum punch cocktails.

“It is a great feeling to see guests back in the resort,” said Whitehead, who greeted the first guests.

However, it was not only the guests who were happy the resort opened its doors. Taxi drivers who busily rushed in and out of reception, delivering hotel guests from arriving flights, were happy to be back to work. “It has a large affect on the local economy when Beaches has to be closed and we are glad everyone can get back to work,’ explained Public Relations Manager, Elanor Finfin Krzanowski.

Following a brush with hurricane Irene on Aug. 23, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International Gordon “Butch” Stewart announced the temporary closure for urgent repairs. He said every effort would be made to complete the repairs swiftly to limit the closure time not only for guests, but also for staff which was put on leave during that time.

He said approximately half the workforce who were entitled to paid leave were given the opportunity to take leave while the others stayed on, working in various capacities as part of the repair and re-launch efforts. In addition, Stewart said some 20 local contractors were engaged to assist with various aspects of the effort to fully restore the property to the high standards that guests have come to expect.

Work has also begun to add 120 permanent employees in various categories to the 1,100 employees currently on staff.

Photo: Guests returned to Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa on Oct. 6 after being closed for five weeks for repairs due to Hurricane Irene.