Dozens of costal communities are still recovering in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, the Category 3 hurricane that swept by the U.S. last weekend. The Westin Jekyll Island off the Georgia coast was just one of the many businesses stunted by the storm. “Jekyll Island has not been hit with a direct hit in over 100 years by what we’ve been told from many historians of the islands,” says Alex Lugo, general manager of the hotel.
Preparing for a storm with Matthew’s magnitude takes phases of planning that start in June with a debriefing meeting to kick off hurricane season. Keeping guests and associates constantly updated on storm and government warnings curbs stress and anxiety, although it becomes exceedingly difficult to keep the business operating normally. Lugo says, “I think first and foremost was educating a lot of the folks, both guests and our associates, on the potential impact of the storm hitting us and what was going on.”
Jekyll Island was very fortunate during Matthew—because of sand dunes, oceanfront properties were safe from water damage and storm surge. With the right teams and associates in place, the Westin had it’s power back within two days of the storm’s passing, leaving the hotel in a good position to readily help those whose hotels and homes did not hold up as well.
Normally, rates at the Westin begin at $189, but the hotel is currently offering a $107 rate for displaced residents, the price in reference to the day the storm hit, Oct. 7. Other fees the hotel usually charges for amenities have been waived and food prices have been lowered to accommodate the displaced community. The Westin Jekyll Island’s sister properties in Savannah, Ga., and Hilton Head Island, S.C., have much more damage, but first responders from as far as Oklahoma and New Jersey are helping the island recover. “Being a pillar in the community and being one of the main hotels on the island and the surrounding area, we want to make sure that we’re helping the community as best we can to get everyone back on their feet.”
