As with any business, the bottom line is the almighty dollar. Granted there are some businesses that act responsibly to their customers but not all do. If Club O is holding on to the refunds longer, they gain the benefit of any interest it accrues. I would be willing to bet they are also waiting on the French Government to make ruling(s) on setbacks and construction standards along the waters edge before rebuilding, if that is even going to happen. If I owned Club O I would definitely want to know BEFORE I commit to spending millions on rebuilding only to have the government come in later and make me move or remove the structures I had already built. Based on comments from many it seems that the government of France is in no real hurry to assist Saint Martin. I agree it's wrong to keep any deposit that wasn't gifted and to do so might not be criminal in the country of France but it is at least immoral.