We arrived on Saturday, and have been really surprised, and happy, with the restoration progress. The road into the resort - along the golf course - has been all cleaned up, as have areas around the clubhouse, and in front and back of the units. Work still remains of course, but I guess we expected devastation, and that is not the case. You do see broken trees, especially along the road at the back, and some loss of fronds on the palm trees. But some flowers survived, and others have been planted.
As others have pointed out, the Veranda pool is open, and has been busy. The other pools, as well as all the electrical in the lower pool area, including 27 pumps, were under water for 6-12 hours, so major work has been underway. The pool closest to the fire pit was filled, and the new pump has been running, but they found they were losing water, so 2 steps forward, and one backward. Turned out it was a pressure valve (I think), so theoretically easier to fix. Rey (general manager) hopes he will be able to open that pool by the end of next week, pending Dept of Health approval. For the other lower pool, they initially received the wrong pump, but now the correct pump has arrived, so he is hopeful that that pool will soon be open (No water in that pool yet). Just in case only one of the lower pools can be opened initially , they have ordered fencing so they can block off closed areas temporarily while opening part of the lower deck. Nice move!
Lazy river will be 3-6 months.
WiFi is good, as is the TV, although there was a brief glitch Sunday just before the football game. ”Signal lost, check your cable connection”. Signal came back pretty quickly and no problems with TV since.
The new grills behind buildings 3&4 were under water, so temporarily out of order, but they put two portable propane grills there, so you can still grill if you want.
Elevators in buildings 3&4 are working perfectly.
Buildings 1&2 are still closed to guests (some contractors staying in at least one of the buildings), but elevators not working. Soon they will allow owners to stay in buildings 1 or 2 (not sure which one, maybe both), but will have to sign a waiver if no elevator service. Apparently the surge water went up into the elevator shaft. Not good! I don’t know whether that was the case in all buildings - I think 1,2,3, but 4 OK. Waiting for parts for elevators not yet in service.
This week 35% occupancy; next week 50%.
Sales building will be closed some time in future and given back to developer. New building for sales will be at back somewhere.
Hickory Island had 14-20 feet of water, but they (not sure who they is) say best case scenario is to open that beach by end of January 2023. (probably would have to drive there). All Lee County beaches officially closed now, but can sit on the sand on some. Too dangerous to go in water because of debris and bacteria.
When arriving, we were surprised to see the new road which will lead to the Ritz Carlton residences. That road (short so far) goes straight where we turn right to enter the drive along the golf course into HRC.
Nearby Hyatt hotel opened this week. We walked there, but you can park free since their parking “machines” were damaged. Several new palm trees have been planted along the hotel driveway, and they look good. Still have rope around the fronds on top. About 7 new palm trees are lying on the sidewalk in front of the hotel, waiting to be planted. Behind the hotel, most of the landscaping was devastated. The beautiful elegant tall palms are still standing, albeit with some loss of fronds. However, as you look to the back and to the right, many new and fairly tall palms have been planted. All the landscaping along the back steps leading to the pool was lost, but the area has been completely replanted, and looks good. Needs to grow a bit more, but that will happen quickly in Florida climate. Lots of new flowers, so looks great.
One sad thing: When turning onto Coconut Rd from Tamiami, there is a huge debris pile - furniture, mattresses, pieces of homes.
Most of information above is from owner update meeting today. We will be here for 3 weeks, so I will report any more news.
