The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Withstands Hurricane Ivan

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, currently under construction on the island's Seven Mile Beach, fared extraordinarily well after Hurricane Ivan struck the area September 12, 2004. According to company officials who toured the property on September 21, the $440 million hotel "appears to have suffered no structural damage."

The 365-room property, which was scheduled for a December opening, will experience a delay as the island nation returns to full operations. Structural engineers have determined that the property's infrastructure seems to be intact. Cleanup from flooding is underway. An assessment of other construction needs, including mechanical and electrical components, is also being made. Property management plans to announce a new opening date in early October.

"I am impressed with the resilience of both the building itself and the development and pre-opening teams on Grand Cayman," said Simon Cooper, president and chief marketing officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. "I've no doubt that The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman will fulfill its promise and set a new standard for Caribbean resorts."

Headquartered in Chevy Chase, Md., The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. currently operates 58 award-winning hotels and resorts around the world. The only hospitality company to be honored twice with the coveted Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, The Ritz-Carlton was also ranked the No. 1 luxury hotel company by J.D. Power and Associates in the 2003 North American Guest Satisfaction Index Study. Hotels under development are slated to open in Grand Cayman; Bali (Bvlgari); Beijing (2); Guangzhou, China; Jakarta and Tokyo.

About The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Situated on 144 acres stretching sea-to-sea from the acclaimed Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman blends a lush Caribbean backdrop with classic British-Colonial architecture. The resort features 365 guestrooms and suites, the first La Prairie Spa in the Caribbean, five dining venues including two restaurants by Eric Ripert of top-ranking New York restaurant Le Bernardin, a tennis center designed by Nick Bollettieri, Ritz Kids® Ambassadors of the Environment by Jean-Michel Cousteau and a Greg Norman-designed nine hole golf course.

Source: Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman