Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina is the first full-service resort to return to business in the Virgin Islands in the wake of the hurricanes last year. Photo: Internet Source

The Anegada Beach Club reopened its doors on Thursday, March 15, 2018. Photo: Internet Source

Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort in Virgin Gorda was severely impacted by the hurricanes of September 2017 and is now expected to re-open sometime in 2019. Photo: Guillermo Houwer/AP

A notice on the Peter Island Resort and Spa website, seen today, March 20, 2018, stated that damage assessments are still underway from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and the resort will remain closed for the duration of 2017 and into late 2018. Photo: peterisland.com

Six months later many of the major resorts remain closed, leaving hundreds jobless.

But it was even before the hurricanes of September 2017 that more than 300 persons were made unemployed when Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort closed for renovation with a promised reopening at the end of 2017.

The decision was seen as a controversial one as Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) had publicly lamented that the resort did not inform government of its intended closure, even though Chief Executive Officer of the Planning Authority and Chief Planner Gregory W. Adams had said Rosewood Little Dix Bay Resort had received approval for their renovations since as far back as 2013.

The resort had promised it would welcome back its "associates" to the resort to interview for available positions.

Then came the hurricanes and an announcement that the resort was severely impacted and the re-opening would now be sometime in 2019.

Peter Island Resort depending on Gov’t to ‘restore normal operations’

Meanwhile, the popular Peter Island Resort and Spa also remains closed since the hurricanes of 2017.

Management of the resort could not be reached; however, a notice on its website seen today, March 20, 2018, stated that damage assessments are still underway from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, “and like many similarly situated properties, we unfortunately have to share that the resort will remain closed for the duration of 2017 and into late 2018.”

It noted too that a reopen date has not been identified as yet “as this will depend on the progress of the BVI government to restore normal operations, the return of staff, and our rebuild. The combination of these factors will be the basis of our eventual reopen date. Until we are confident we can provide you, our valued Peter Island guests, the experience you deserve, we will not be taking reservations for future bookings.” 

Scrub Island Resort back in business!

One major resort that is back in business is Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, which had announced since February that it was welcoming locals back this spring with a partial opening of the private-island resort.

The property is the first full-service resort to return to business in the Virgin Islands in the wake of the hurricanes last year.

“Like so many hotels and resorts in the Caribbean, Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina was forced to temporarily close this past September in the aftermath of the 2017 hurricane season to assess and recover from damage sustained from the storms,” said Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging & Development, in a press release on February 27, 2018.

“After months of clean-up and restoration, we’re excited to reopen the resort this spring, once again giving our valued guests access to a slice of private island paradise.”

Meanwhile, Scrub Islands’ public relations person Sarah Weaver told this news site on March 13, 2018 that the resort is currently accepting reservations for all guests through the Tampa reservations office at (813) 849-4116.

Anegada Beach Club reopens

The Anegada Beach Club on the sunken island of Anegada reopened its doors on Thursday, March 15, 2018.

“We are freshly rebuilt, upgraded and open for business,” a press release from the establishment stated.