Heard earlier this PM on local news reports (facts must be substantiated by bona fide reports, but):

Grand Beach Palace is no more as of Aug 22 2004...

Closing a week early, but willing to pay through the original closing date PLUS a week's severance pay on top of it. So that's 2 week's severance, in a way...

Don't get me started. They say that they feel unwelcome. The first thing they do when they get here is cancel all of the local folks' memberships to use the tennis courts, etc. and request 85 bucks a day to use the facilities (or was it 95? ach, no matter!)... Raise the price on the Sunday Brunch and announce that it is not their intent to service anyone except those who will be able to afford to cough up the all-inclusive daily fee.

Duck out of 2 opportunities to dialogue with the public via a local radio station.

On season or off season, local residents support all industries in varying degrees. Any business that fails to see the value in this relationship will not succeed in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

While I must concede that there are employees who are in need of training, a disgruntled one is not likely to give you a bright, shiny face. No excuses, just reality. Managers are the ones who get the big bucks to deal with training and guidance of employees.

I wish them well where ever they land.

Jules,

The same happened to my wife and I in Co years ago.

My adviceto you is try get any depoits you made back ASAP. From someone I know says the hotel is changing hands and the new operators are no prepared to operate that type property.Take this from someone who has been around the hotel buisness, this closing sound right.

Get over it and start make new plans, I know that is easer said then done.

I wish you well, St. Thomas is beautyful and I hope all goes well for you.

I'm trying to save you some of the stress my wife went thru.

Neil

Thank you for your comments. I did get my deposit back right away. The wedding coordinator at the resort called me right away and charged it back to my credit card.

I have made other arrangements at the Marriott in St. Thomas. Everything is going smoothly and the wedding coordinator at the Marriott has been very helpful.

Jules

"South Coast: Marriott Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort: "Do Not Get Married Here!"
Date: August 12, 2004
Reviewer: A TripAdvisor User, Alexandria, VA
:
My husband and I just returned from our wedding/honeymoon in St. Thomas. We got married at Frenchman's Reef and stayed at the MorningStar Resort. After our experiences, I really feel I have to write this review and warn others to steer clear of this place for a destination wedding. I know that I read these reviews before our trip and really found them helpful and pretty accurate.
The wedding coordinator we got stuck with messed up so many things, that this wedding was anything but stress-free! There are too many things to list, but simply put, our wedding was constantly shoved to the side. It was almost impossible to speak with anyone over the phone and also, when we arrived. Our rehearsal and appointments were cancelled by her, and decisions were made the on the day of the wedding. Things were so rushed and confusing for us and our guests, that instead of enjoying ourselves, we were stressed out and disappointed. It was a poorly planned and organized wedding and embarassing to our guests. Since we had no rehearsal, our guests were both standing and sitting and didnt know where to go when the matron of honor started down the aisle! Instead of being contacted by the coordinator, we had to always track her down, which wasnt easy. In our opinion, for the package price you pay, the coordinator should at least be able to confirm appointments (since she couldnt even make any) and follow through on getting you the information you need. Instead, the details were botched and no apologies or responsibility was taken for it. I would recommend staying at Morningstar for a honeymoon, but getting married elsewhere. The package price is definetely not worth the hassle and disappointment. Although the gazebo location is beautiful and the officiant was great, I would say if you get a bad vibe from the coordinator (like we did months before), dont listen to the "dont worry, we do this all the time" phrase, but instead go somewhere else while you still can. They may do weddings all the time, but now we know that it doesnt mean they do a good job. They may not have to care since it is already paid for and you are just another wedding, but its a day you cant redo and we sure wish we could."

Well, TPTB @ GBP have consented to go easier on the workers being displaced by their closing the hotel. Read the V.I. Daily News story here:

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=6916344

They are also going to offer insurance assistance for a limited time so folks don't end up twisting in the wind. A nice gesture, considering everything. What matters is that they were willing to be more humane towards those workers. Atty Dudley got to the heart of the matter in her statements: the dialogue opened again at last and a compromise was reached.