ST. THOMAS — The 470-room Frenchman\u2019s Reef Marriott and Morning Star Beach Resort (\u201cFrenchman\u2019s Reef\u201d) which sits on a 29-acre plot overlooking the Charlotte Amalie Harbor and owned by DiamondRock Hospitality Company — a public real estate investment trust located in the United States —\u00a0have continued to pay employee wages and benefits since Hurricane Irma hit the islands, the company said in a release issued Wednesday.<\/p>\n
In a recent all associate meeting, employees were informed that their paychecks would continue with full benefits through the end of the year, with accrued vacation and personal time paid in early 2018. \u201cWe are truly blessed,\u201d said Chris Donohue, former Marriott general manager as he addressed the gathering.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur primary concern after the storms was the safety of our 530 employee hosts,\u201d explained Chris Donohue, former general manager of Marriott Frenchman\u2019s Reef, now serving as general manager of the Ritz-Carlton, San Juan. \u201cWe reached out to our staff and determined that they and their families were safe while in need of basic living assistance.\u201d One hundred and fifty generators and emergency supplies were also provided for those with immediate need, the company said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe realize the past success of Frenchman\u2019s Reef is largely due to the dedication and commitment of all associates at the resort who went above and beyond in taking excellent care of our guests,\u201d said DiamondRock vice president of asset management, Shalinder Singh. \u201cMany employees lost homes or roofs and all lost power. DiamondRock and Marriott International felt taking care of our people after the storm was the right thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the release, Frenchman\u2019s Reef employees are also entitled to benefits such as transfers to other Marriott properties in North America for career development, relocation financial support, low-interest loans via the\u00a0Marriott Credit Union, and access to grants through Marriott\u2019s Take Care Relief Fund. Employees were also urged to contact remediation contractors for job opportunities as work continues on the property.<\/p>\n
Governor Kenneth Mapp, who the release says has been acting as a strong advocate for the Frenchman\u2019s Reef employees, and working closely with Frenchman\u2019s Reef since the storm, said DiamondRock and Marriott International are to be commended for their generosity. \u00a0\u201cThey are taking exceptional care of their employees. As the second largest employer in the U.S. Virgin Islands, they are contributing to their community by keeping dollars flowing through the economy affecting thousands of people and businesses. We consider this group to be a model employer and good corporate citizen,” the governor said.<\/p>\n
Frenchman\u2019s Reef suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Irma, where storm winds compromised the 8th floor roof of the main hotel and walls, setting off sprinklers that poured thousands of gallons of water into the rooms on the lower floors of the main building. Twelve days later, Maria\u2019s storm surge and wind driven rains exacerbated the damage. Frenchman\u2019s Reef was closed to avoid injury and allow for the assessment of remediation and stabilization of the property. Extensive remediation efforts commenced shortly after the storms and are continuing.<\/p>\n
Frenchman\u2019s Reef and Morning Star properties are currently undergoing the massive job of assessment and planning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ST. THOMAS — The 470-room Frenchman\u2019s Reef Marriott and Morning Star Beach Resort (\u201cFrenchman\u2019s Reef\u201d) which sits on a 29-acre plot overlooking the Charlotte Amalie Harbor and owned by DiamondRock Hospitality Company — a public real estate investment trust located in the United States —\u00a0have continued to pay employee wages and benefits since Hurricane Irma […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":59148,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,11,191,2474,147],"tags":[7692,68],"yoast_head":"\n