Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,434
Posts310,117
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
Todd 40
jazzgal 40
Member Spotlight
bdeeley
bdeeley
United States of America
Posts: 1,625
Joined: October 2013
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
LONGISLANDSHARON, Sca2la
Who's Online Now
21 registered members (boucharda, Leagle49, jagmansr, nevar37, IWIWSE, tradewinds, deputydog1157, SANFILIP, SirRichard, SteveH, Tom, Jc1925, Zanshin, Memphré, Colour1, 6 invisible), 1,063 guests, and 66 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Club Orient - Status #142812
09/13/2017 11:12 AM
09/13/2017 11:12 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 720
Paris VA USA
JimRuos Offline OP
Traveler
JimRuos  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 720
Paris VA USA
We receive many inquiries on the status of Club Orient and questions about reservations. No details or guidance has yet been possible from resort management. A historical perspective may be of value.

Hurricane Irma has been noted as 4 times worse than the last devastating, Hurricane Luis on September 5, 1995. While the recovery of Club Orient from Irma may not be comparable to that of Luis, there are similarities. Following Luis, Club Orient did not reopen until November 1, 1996 ... over 1 year later.

.. Jim

SXM Sponsors
Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: JimRuos] #142813
09/13/2017 03:01 PM
09/13/2017 03:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,116
missouri
Cathyg Offline
Traveler
Cathyg  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,116
missouri
Jim ....Thank you for this information. You have done such a great job for us all these years. I don't know what we would have done without you...especially in times of crisis...I.E. expired Passport oh boy....

I am praying with every fiber of my being that we can return April 2019...I knew it was not realistic to make the trip April 2018. It takes 4 months here to build a subdivision house. It has to take much longer than that to settle with the insurance...tear down all the existing damaged buildings...ship in the supplies required...get all the furnishings and appliances...fix the landscaping...on and on and on.

and it has to all be done all over the island.

Who gets top priority? How do they get enough skilled labor and where will they house them and feed them when so many of the buildings have been damaged?

Even if we do get to go back in April 2019...will grand case be back? How about the supermarkets and gas stations?

It would be so much simpler if we were talking about just rebuilding Club Orient...but we all know we are not.

I can tell you...if Club Orient is back ...we will be back

I have been extremely upset by all this...I cry everyday. I have been looking at the thousands of beautiful pictures we have taken since 1999...and reread all of my trip reports.

The last paragraph of my April 2017 report is this

I have to say…of all the places we have traveled…. Club Orient is the most organized of all. Check in is always perfect and so is check out. The office staff, boutique staff, wait staff, maids, gardeners, beach workers…. everyone…is always so kind and so helpful and so pleasant. It makes the vacation that much more wonderful. There are some things about club orient that are looking a little tired. The entrance for example…used to be so beautiful….and now it is half dead and overrun with weeds and grass. Much of the board fencing needs to be repaired or replaced. Some of the picnic tables on the patios are warped and rotten. None of these things would keep me from coming back…but it would only take a little time and money to put things back in tiptop shape…
We say this often….if there was no Club Orient….we would not go to SXM….that’s how important it Is to us.

Almost prophetic isn't it? Let me tell you...I would give anything to have it back...just the way it was.


[Linked Image]
Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: Cathyg] #142814
09/13/2017 03:20 PM
09/13/2017 03:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
Kathleen Offline
Traveler
Kathleen  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
Amen to everything that Cathy says.

If anyone is interested, there is a GoFundMe page set up by the owner of BareNecessities Cruises for the benefit of the employees of ClubO. PM me for the details.


That's why I wander and follow La Vie Dansante, that's all I want, La Vie Dansante (JB)
Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: Cathyg] #142815
09/13/2017 04:19 PM
09/13/2017 04:19 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 363
New Jersey
wbsander Offline
Traveler
wbsander  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 363
New Jersey
Regarding skilled labor, I know this is significantly worse than Luis, but I had several roofers as clients back in 95 who spent the winter (when their business in the NE is limited) in SXM, housed by the insurance companies, and made pretty good money for a winter in SXM. Bottom line, if the insurance companies are solvent and cutting checks there will be no shortage of contractors ready to spend the time away from home for the virtually unlimited work, especially over the winter.

Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: Cathyg] #142816
09/13/2017 04:35 PM
09/13/2017 04:35 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 71
S. Carolina
J
JoeD1949 Offline
Traveler
JoeD1949  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 71
S. Carolina
Quote
Cathyg said:

We say this often….if there was no Club Orient….we would not go to SXM….that’s how important it Is to us.

Almost prophetic isn't it? Let me tell you...I would give anything to have it back...just the way it was.


You're not alone. We discovered Club O late in life. I was 65 the first time we went and in our minds had contingency plans in case we arrived and didn't like it at all. We booked a week and we were hooked. We were both still working and had to wait a year until we could return. Over the years each trip got longer until we were up to a full month in a mini-suite deluxe. Last year, we booked our November trip as we were checking out. Our biggest worry was the condition of the beach. Now I fear Irma dealt a death blow to our favorite place on earth.

I'm a bit jealous of those who don't go to Club O and really love St. Martin, but if Club O isn't rebuilt, we won't go back.

Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: JoeD1949] #142817
09/13/2017 04:52 PM
09/13/2017 04:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,116
missouri
Cathyg Offline
Traveler
Cathyg  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,116
missouri
Quote
JoeD1949 said:
Quote
Cathyg said:

We say this often….if there was no Club Orient….we would not go to SXM….that’s how important it Is to us.

Almost prophetic isn't it? Let me tell you...I would give anything to have it back...just the way it was.


You're not alone. We discovered Club O late in life. I was 65 the first time we went and in our minds had contingency plans in case we arrived and didn't like it at all. We booked a week and we were hooked. We were both still working and had to wait a year until we could return. Over the years each trip got longer until we were up to a full month in a mini-suite deluxe. Last year, we booked our November trip as we were checking out. Our biggest worry was the condition of the beach. Now I fear Irma dealt a death blow to our favorite place on earth.

I'm a bit jealous of those who don't go to Club O and really love St. Martin, but if Club O isn't rebuilt, we won't go back.


To us...Club O is the draw...

We have been to 12 Caribbean Islands...They have all been gracious...and we have enjoyed our visits to each one.
But we have been to SXM 15 times...the first time we stayed at St Tropez and every trip since at club orient.

If club Orient were located on a different Island....we would go to that island. It happens to be on SXM.

That is not to say that we don't love SXM on its own merit because we certainly do. We love that we can drive...we love that we can choose between hundreds of restaurants for dinner. We love that we feel safe. We love that SXM has a very European feel....and we always stay two weeks and it is never enough.

we also love Jamaica and have been there 20 times...but we stay at an all inclusive resort which we never leave and we stay only one week which is enough to usually eat at the restaurants on property once or twice...and while we gain weight...the food is never spectacular.

It is a different vacation...it is not SXM and it is not CLub Orient. We have cancelled our upcoming April trip to club o...and we have rebooked to Jamaica.

It will be a lovely trip...just like it always is. But it wont be CLub O.


[Linked Image]
Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: Cathyg] #142818
09/13/2017 06:50 PM
09/13/2017 06:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 178
New Hampshire
H
Hdrdr911 Offline
Traveler
Hdrdr911  Offline
Traveler
H
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 178
New Hampshire
Club Orient will be back better than ever I'm sure. We have stayed all over the island and Club O outclasses them all. The rebuild will be no different.


If the phone doesn't ring .... it's me
Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: JoeD1949] #142819
09/13/2017 07:06 PM
09/13/2017 07:06 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
P
PelicanPirate Offline
Traveler
PelicanPirate  Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
Club o is a big draw for us. Shall i dare to ask if Club O werent to continue as a "hotel" would the beach remain au naturelle? If it does, we would be back to SXM. We have beeen to SXM amnyntimes and 3 times in last 20 months and stayed on/ off club o with mostnof our day time spend under a yellow umbrella.

Trip 1 was new years at club o - awesome and we'd done that before
Trip 2 was at mt vernon and drove each day to club o - loved it
Trip 3 was at mt vernon and added 2 nights mid trip at club o

We love dinner at papagayos and the immediate ability to walk out of our unit...........but we loved our place at mt vernon and the getting in the car each late afternoon

So, i think we would go back if only the beach were operating hopefully with resturant and bar and we would definitely throw in stays if the lodging is rebuilt.

Ive kept thinking about some RV scheme for club O and when bad weather comes they roll them up the island to a concrete bunker and back down when storm passes.

Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: PelicanPirate] #142820
09/13/2017 08:59 PM
09/13/2017 08:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 635
Palm Beach County
jenniboston Offline
Traveler
jenniboston  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 635
Palm Beach County
Quote
PelicanPirate said:
Club o is a big draw for us. Shall i dare to ask if Club O werent to continue as a "hotel" would the beach remain au naturelle? .


Unfortunately I wouldn't count on it. The whole beach used to be C/O (back when Club Orient was just about the only establishment down there), but over time that become more and more restrictive as more and newer businesses moved in. Now I think the concern should be, can Club O rebuild fast enough to protect the clothing optional second of the beach! I sure hope so!

Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: jenniboston] #142821
09/14/2017 08:22 PM
09/14/2017 08:22 PM
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
O
outofthebox Offline
Traveler
outofthebox  Offline
Traveler
O
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
From Club O Facebook page -

CLUB O STAFF - SAFETY CHECK-IN

First of all, we sincerely apologize for the delay in updating you on the impacts of Hurricane Irma, as our communications team in Florida was also impacted by the storm and has had no means of communication due to lack of power, phones and internet. We would first like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your many messages of concern, prayers for our safety and offers of help and assistance! We have been deeply touched and humbled by the outpouring of love and support from all of you! I know that many of you are very anxious for news of our beloved resort and, most importantly, confirmation of the safety and wellbeing of our many staff members that you have also grown to know and love over the years. As we were all scattered to the winds to seek safe haven with our families during the storm and left with no cell service, internet or other means of communication afterwards (not to mention the bare necessities like food, water and shelter), our first priority has obviously been in locating and ensuring the safety of all our Club O staff and their family members. We are happy to announce that we have now been in touch with most of them, and a full list of those confirmed safe is below. Please note that we are continuing these efforts and will update the list as we locate others. Just because someone is not on the list does not mean they are not safe – just that they have not yet been evacuated or they may not have found a means of communication to contact us yet. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as the recovery will take some time and it is difficult to determine just how much time at this point. We will update you on all the other issues raised on this page and in emails to us in subsequent posts or direct communication, just as soon as possible. Please bear in mind, however, that evacuations are still underway and we have not yet been able to connect with critical resources, such as banks, insurance companies, emergency funds, etc. because many of these were also located on the island and our contacts are just not available to us. Please rest assured that all issues will be addressed in the coming days. Meanwhile, these, our people, take top priority at this time. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding!

STAFF MEMBERS CONFIRMED SAFE:
Ana - Massage
Anne - Accounting
Annette - Reservations
Benjamin - Watersports
Bert - Maintenance
Carlos - Restaurant
Catherine - Housekeeping
Chi-Chi - Maintenance
Christina - Accounting
Christine - Restaurant
Erikson - Maintenance
Fernand - Security
Florence - Office
Francisco - Maintenance
Gaelle - HR
Gloreen - Housekeeping
Ivon - Security
Jocelyn - Accounting
Junior - Front desk
Karima - Reception
Kenny - Restaurant
Leila - Housekeeping
Linda - Office
Manu - Watersports
Mimi - Boutique
Moby - Maintenance
Nathalie - Reception
Nathalie - Massage
Naty - Restaurant
Niel - Maintenance
Patou - Restaurant
Patsy - Housekeeping
Randy - Restaurant
Ruby - Reception
Ruddy - Security
Sabrina - Housekeeping
Shane - Maintenance
Stephen P.- Office
Stephen S. - Night audit
Valerie - Office
Vanessa - Boutique
Willie - Perch
Zoe - Boutique

Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: outofthebox] #142822
09/14/2017 08:37 PM
09/14/2017 08:37 PM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
SXMbeacher Offline
Traveler
SXMbeacher  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
Good to hear so many have checked in safe!



Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: outofthebox] #142823
09/14/2017 09:25 PM
09/14/2017 09:25 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
P
PelicanPirate Offline
Traveler
PelicanPirate  Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
We got this email from club o too today.

This is mostly very good news. One name in particular we know is not on this list and we are now praying for.

Hope the list is updated periodically.

Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: PelicanPirate] #142824
09/15/2017 08:47 AM
09/15/2017 08:47 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,116
missouri
Cathyg Offline
Traveler
Cathyg  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,116
missouri
I am so happy to know many of our friends are safe.


[Linked Image]
Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: PelicanPirate] #142825
09/15/2017 08:54 AM
09/15/2017 08:54 AM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,463
Vermont
sxmmartini Offline
Traveler
sxmmartini  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,463
Vermont
Quote
PelicanPirate said:
We got this email from club o too today.

This is mostly very good news. One name in particular we know is not on this list and we are now praying for.

Hope the list is updated periodically.


I don't see Gilbert, Victor and Bruno on list?

Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: outofthebox] #142826
09/15/2017 09:35 AM
09/15/2017 09:35 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
Kathleen Offline
Traveler
Kathleen  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
Emma from massage is also safe. I have communicated with her.


That's why I wander and follow La Vie Dansante, that's all I want, La Vie Dansante (JB)
Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: Kathleen] #142827
09/15/2017 05:12 PM
09/15/2017 05:12 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 135
Florida
Barry Offline
Traveler
Barry  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 135
Florida
I don't see Loretta on the list.

Re: Club Orient - Status [Re: wbsander] #142828
09/15/2017 06:10 PM
09/15/2017 06:10 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 131
Simsbury, Connecticut
shieneehead Offline
Traveler
shieneehead  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 131
Simsbury, Connecticut
Quote
wbsander said:
Regarding skilled labor, I know this is significantly worse than Luis, but I had several roofers as clients back in 95 who spent the winter (when their business in the NE is limited) in SXM, housed by the insurance companies, and made pretty good money for a winter in SXM. Bottom line, if the insurance companies are solvent and cutting checks there will be no shortage of contractors ready to spend the time away from home for the virtually unlimited work, especially over the winter.


<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Great Insight! This point has given me the most hope so far. As long as the insurance companies comply, rebuilding COULD happen at a reasonable pace! If I didn't already have a business, I'd grab my hammer and be there!


[Linked Image]

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1