By Robert Luckock
MARIGOT–No one surely can dispute that reopening of the five-star Belmond La Samanna was the best thing to happen to the French-side’s hospitality sector and tourism in general, given that critical period when months of uncertainty prevailed and employees were in turmoil.
It seemed unthinkable then that the island’s only niche market for the discerning well-heeled traveller and La Samanna’s enduring legacy could suddenly disappear.
Happily, La Samanna has a spring in its step following a soft re-opening on December 10. From outward appearances the hotel and grounds look immaculate; back to a pre-Irma state with freshly painted white-washed buildings and sounds of birds rejoicing amongst a kaleidoscope of colours and greenery in the gardens.
It’s hard to believe the Atlantic’s most intense hurricane to date passed through here and that’s testament to the scale of the restoration work that got up to speed from July of this year with numerous contractors on board while some have been working since April.
“The majority of the damage was done to the landscaping and shrubbery which was wiped out, as was the beach. We had to replant everything. But the buildings survived very well, even the interiors,” explains the hotel’s new General Manager Eléonore Astier-Petin who took over from predecessor Michael Schoonewagen. “The most damage we had was because of the hotel remaining idle for a year with equipment not used and textiles becoming mouldy.”
For Astier-Petin the opening is still a work in progress hence the absence of any fanfare, and reflects hers and Belmond’s exacting high standards. Just three months into her new role, she is taking on a new challenge having spent five years in South East Asia with Alila Hotels and Resorts, a luxury Asian centric brand and part of the Hyatt group, working in Cambodia and Indonesia. Prior to that, she spent two years as General Manager of the Cotton House in Mustique, Grenadines.
“I came in at the end of August not only as general manager but also because of my pre-opening experience to drive the completion of the work but it hasn’t been an easy task,” she admits. “But we are now very happy to be past our soft opening date. We don’t consider we are 100 per cent ready. New furniture ordered for public areas and rooms has been delayed and that is now arriving in the next two months. So, it’s going to be a nice refresh in style and by February you will see the new face of La Samanna.
“The state of the grounds and the property has come back nicely,” she adds. “When you are in my position you tend to see only the problems and the issues and not the good side but overall, we have worked out the kinks and are fairly happy with the condition of the property.”
She acknowledged Belmond considered not reopening due to profitability concerns and the amount required to invest which was above and beyond what insurance would pay out. But fortunately, the company was able to turn the situation around. The expenditure on restoring the hotel has been “in excess of US $20 million.”
As for the employees, out of the total staff only the managers and head of departments were retained. All other past employees were invited back but on a different pay scale and on nine-month seasonal contracts. For various reasons many did not come back and accepted a compensation package.
New hiring accounted for 80 per cent of the workforce and included taking staff from unopened hotels such as Le Beach and the Riu Hotel.
“Those that did come back are the face and the soul of La Samanna and among the new employees we have some gems who are going to grow into their roles,” enthuses Astier-Petin. “I think the change was needed. La Samanna has been operating continuously since the 1970s. What happened maybe was a blessing in disguise.”
The hotel has 83 rooms and suites and eight villas, six of which are four-bedrooms and two three-bedrooms. Some minor work in rooms is in the process of being finalized by contractors. The names of the food and beverage outlets have changed in keeping with the expected new furniture and concept.
The dinner restaurant is now called L’Oursin (formerly Trellis), the breakfast room is named Corail (formerly Interlude) and the beach bar is now La-Plaj, for lunch and serving drinks around the pool.
As for other facilities, the water sports are up and running, the beach having returned to its former glory naturally without any intervention. Hotel boutiques are open as are the fitness centre and spa.
“The room occupancy projection for December is 35 per cent,” she notes. “That sounds unreasonably low but it is just above budget. We didn’t want to have any crowding. As I said before we don’t feel completely ready from a physical standpoint. It’s also because with a large intake of new staff we want to keep the service level on a smaller scale.”
The hotel is currently not open for outside reservations from the island for dinner until between mid-January and mid-February 2019.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/83710-refreshed-and-energised-luxurious-belmond-la-samanna-re-opens
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