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September 2005 Article
An Update on Krisam Members in the Gulf
Coast Region
The seven hotels that are members of the Krisam Group in the
Gulf Region are reporting as best they can on their condition
and when they can expect to reopen. Find out how they are doing
below:
The Windsor Court Hotel will resume
business November 1, 2005
The Windsor Court was fortunate, reports Simon Sherwood,
president of Orient-Express Hotels. Over 80% percent of the
rooms were undamaged. The hotel was not affected by flooding and
was able to evacuate all guests and staff safely shortly after
the storm. The hotel’s recovery and reconstruction team has
completed a thorough engineering review and begun repairs.
“The hotel will open in stages from November 1st and the room
inventory will increase as staffing levels are brought up,”
explained Dean Andrews, vice president North America for
Orient-Express Hotels. He said that food, beverage and
housekeeping services will be offered, with some initial
reduction in hours and menu selections.
Chateau Sonesta and Royal Sonesta
Hotels New Orleans
The Chateau Sonesta Hotel and the Royal Sonesta Hotel sustained
minimal damage due to Hurricane Katrina. Although damage is
limited, the lack of electrical power and availability of
resources for repairs and operations will likely extend the
re-opening date. The hotels should be up and running by December
31.
All individual reservations for arrival prior to Saturday,
December 31, 2005 have been cancelled without penalty. If you
made your reservations through a third party, please contact
this party directly to confirm its policy.
Groups scheduled for arrival through Saturday, December 31, 2005
may also cancel without penalty.
Approximately 200 guests remained at the Royal Sonesta through
the storm. When the power went out at the Chateau Sonesta, its
guests were also relocated to the Royal Sonesta, whose generator
operated throughout, providing minimal lighting, although no air
conditioning or running water. Most remaining guests and
employees departed from the Hotel on Tuesday evening, August 30,
on buses chartered by the Hotel.
There are a few employees who have remained at the Royal Sonesta
voluntarily, led by Hans Wandfluh. They obtained a larger
generator and now have running water for showers (not drinking),
air conditioning and lights. The Royal Sonesta was one of the
city’s first hotels to safely evacuate its guests. Mr. Wandfluh
also assisted other hotels in their attempts to evacuate their
guests.
InterContinental New Orleans
Intercontinental New Orleans is closed until further notice.
Le Pavillon Hotel to reopen September
25.
“With a whole lot of hard work by our Engineering Department,
assisted by the Chief Engineers of our sister properties out of
state, along with Barry LaFrance and Keith Sills, we have
managed to put our beloved hotel in a position to re-open, ”
reports Ed Morin, managing director. “The power to the building
has been restored and we are re-opening the hotel to guests
beginning on Sunday, September 25, ” he continued.
Maison Dupuy Hotel
The hotel reports that there is no need to cancel any
reservations already made for 2005. No deposits have been
charged and no cancellation fees will be imposed. The hotel is
working to make the Maison Dupuy better then ever for your
return.
Beau Rivage Resort, Biloxi
MGM MIRAGE reports that plans for the recovery and rebuilding of
its Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, MS are underway. As the
assessment process has begun, the company will commit to rebuild
the resort, utilize employees in recovery and reconstruction
wherever possible and aid impacted employees.
Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO of Mirage Resorts, said, “We
plan to rebuild and rebuild quickly. While we will take the time
necessary to carefully assess the situation, we are also
dedicated to identifying the fastest way to rebuild and restart
the Gulf Coast economy and the lives of our employees and their
community.”
Workers have already cleared most of the mud and debris from
Beau Rivage so assessment of the structural integrity and
essential systems such as electricity, plumbing and HVAC can
begin. More than 70 employees have been repositioned to recovery
jobs with contractors performing the initial restoration
activities. “We currently have 300 such positions available and
will continue to fill these with our employees wherever
possible,” Mr. Baldwin noted.
For updated information, please contact
your Krisam representative or e-mail
newsletter@theeventinsider.com.
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