I am going next month and looking forward to seeing the property. I have had difficulty finding accurate information regarding the status of the resort. I received this email from them yesterday, which I found very helpful. I will post a thread upon my return. For those of you looking for the Ritz Carlton HOTEL it has been temporarily renamed the Great Bay resort until the Ritz is completely remodeled.
"We are looking forward to welcoming you back home to The Ritz-Carlton Club, St. Thomas! The Club has recovered from catastrophic damages from Hurricane Irma, the largest Atlantic Hurricane every recorded with winds in excess of 200 miles per hour and Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane that took place 14 days after Hurricane Irma. Category 5 hurricanes are the strongest storms in the western hemisphere with winds exceeding 156 miles per hour and storm surge generally greater than 18 feet above normal. The Island continue to see improvements but many services and facilities you’re accustomed to may not be available. Please carefully read this email in its entirety to understand the current state and what to expect once on Island.
Club Improvements
· Exterior of all buildings painted.
· New roof top air conditioning units installed.
· New guest elevators in all buildings.
· New landscaping throughout the property.
· New state of the art commercial infrared barbeque grills.
· Upgraded large Samsung televisions in all Residences and Suites.
· All Suites have gone through a refurbishment with new mattresses, upholstery, paint color, and refinished cabinets.
· New chaise lounges, cushions, and luxury outdoor seating areas around the pool and beach.
· New easy to use thermostats installed in residences.
· New exterior signage installed
Club Updates
· Coconut Cove restaurant managed by the hotel is open serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day in the week.
· The Club beach did suffer substantial erosion and is experiencing a much smaller beachline. Due to this, there is limited availability of beach chairs available but have options available if you choose to visit off property beaches.
· The Recreation team will assist with the use of the hotel beach if the space at our beach is limited.
· All swimming pools and hot tubs at the Club have been restored.
· Non-motorized watersports and daytrip excursion are available through Cruz Bay Watersports, which has established a tour desk near The Club pool.
· Enhanced daily activity schedule.
· The Grand Palazzo Club restaurant is open for dinner service only.
Hotel Updates - The hotel located next to The Club, is open and temporarily operating as a limited service unbranded 80 room hotel known as The St. Thomas Great Bay Resort. After the completion of significant renovations to guest rooms and public spaces, the hotel will re-open as The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas by the end of 2019.
· The following resort amenities will be closed until the hotel re-opens as The Ritz-Carlton:Bleuwater Restaurant, Sails Restaurant, Essenza Restaurant, In-Room Dining, Zest, The Spa, tennis courts, The Boutique, and Ambassadors of the Environment.
· Lady Lyndsey, the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas’ signature catamaran was destroyed in Hurricane Irma and is not available. An interim catamaran is available and offering excursions until the hotel re-opens and the new Lady Lyndsey II catamaran is debuted.
· The hotel pool is open and available to Club Members, but operating with no poolside service.
· The fitness center is open and available for use 24 hours a day.
Island Updates
· Flights to and from the island are limited. Please be sure to check with your airline to check the status of your flight.
· Island favorites such as ZoZo’s Sugar Mill at Caneel Bay, Havana Blue, Oceana, Room With a View, The Grille Room, and Mahogany Run Golf Course are currently closed for the foreseeable future.
· The hospital is open and offering medical services.
· Many buildings and residential homes continue to show signs of recovery throughout the island.
· Tourism on island increases as cruise ships continue to come into port, hotels and resorts re-open and recovery efforts continue in the British Virgin Islands."