Hurricane Hermine is the first hurricane to hit Florida in more than a decade, and the sights you see on news are definitely scary. For people who are affected, our thoughts are with them, and we hope for a fast recovery. As hurricane Hermine was approaching Florida, hurricane Madeline was approaching Hawaii. It was weakened as a tropical storm as it got closer. However, with the inclement weather, many hotel closed for business and guests were asked to leave the property, including the Four Seasons Hualalai.
Wai’olu Suite at the Four Seasons Hualalai. Photo courtesy of hotel.
The Four Seasons Hualalai is a top celebrity honeymoon destination, yet it too announced it was closing for business on Wednesday.
Guests staying at the hotel were asked to leave and seek alternative accommodations. One guest posted on TripAdvisor:
Guests are being asked to vacate by 3PM tomorrow and will reopen Friday if are able to. Did not anticipate that happening and am now scrambling for alternate arrangements. Lots of others will be in the same boat, maybe including other lodging establishments closing also, looking for options. I just booked two nights at Lava Lava, but frankly am concerned they might close also — their accommodations are also very low lying – even more so than Four Seasons! Before I booked I did call, and they said right now they are planning on staying open, but… I am actually wondering whether I should double book another option at this point, before everything is snatched up.
Rooms at the Four Seasons Hualalai don’t come cheap. I can imagine guests paying top dollars for a top resort aren’t too happy about having to leave.
I can certainly understand the hotel’s decision, and I think it was made in the interest of safety. Not just for the hotel staff, but the guests themselves as well. I truly hope no one was severely affected by the storm in Hawaii.
Of course, we are also only seeing one side of the story. I am sure many things factor into the hotel’s decision. However, with the hurricane having been down-graded to a tropical storm, some people say the hotel was over-reacting. I am a bit torn. On one hand, some people say this isn’t all that uncommon in Hawaii. If that’s true, I’d think that hotel would have some contingency plan. I doubt the hotel guests are safer outside the hotel than inside. But at the same time, the entire region is affected, after all. I don’t think the re-booking guests into other hotels would relieve them of any liability.
Ultimately, this is a less than ideal situation. As someone who runs on the “better safe than sorry” mindset, I think the hotel did what they had to. I don’t envy people who have to scramble for accommodation in a storm like this.
Has something similar happen to you? What do you think of the hotel’s decision?
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4 comments
In the last 67 years, Hawaii has been hit by 40 storms of any type. Fewer than 20 people have died during that same period as a result.
Scientists actually have studied why Hawaii is so lucky and avoids major storms. They are NOT used to this.
This is not the Waikiki Motel 6. For $800/night, heck yes I expect them to to book my alternate accommodations, no ifs, ands, or buts.
This is not unforeseen, like an earthquake. For the Four Seasons to simply kick guests to the curb is absolutely, completely unacceptable.
Agreed.
If I understood well, they asked to their guests to leave for safety reasons but they didn’t arrange there relocation in a safer place ?
It’s totally unacceptable. To pass an Hurricane I can imagine that it’s better to be inside a hotel than to be put on the street.
They put their guest away and they don’t care about what will happen to them, at least no in their property.
It’s for insurance reason but not for guest’s safety.
It’s totally abject and non client oriented. I don’t recognize 4 seasons policy in that decision, or I missed something ?