Jakes Hotel reopens after Beryl, signalling a renewal for Treasure Beach
Published:Monday | October 7, 2024 | 12:09 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Three months after Hurricane Beryl tore through Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, Jakes Hotel has reopened its doors, marking not just a return to business but a community’s determination to rebuild.
The storm caused extensive damage across the area, halting tourism, fishing, and farming – the three pillars that sustain the local economy. But it also presented an unexpected opportunity for renewal.
The storm knocked down walls, tore off roofs, and left the surrounding landscape strewn with debris, but in doing so, it allowed the hotel’s owners to reimagine and improve key aspects of the property.
“We barely paid attention to Jakes for the first few weeks,” admitted Justine Henzell, co-owner of Jakes Hotel. “The priority was the community. Beryl devastated the area – there was debris everywhere but we were fortunate that all our guests had evacuated safely. The immediate needs were water and shelter for the locals.”
Her brother, Jason Henzell, founder of the Treasure Beach Foundation (Breds), mobilised relief efforts with Global Empowerment Mission (GEM), a global relief agency that delivered essential supplies within days of the hurricane. As the relief efforts took precedence, the hotel sat idle, but it wasn’t long before the owners turned their attention to rebuilding it with a fresh perspective.
Among the improvements, Jakes now boasts updated walls, showers, new lighting, and revamped dining areas. The colour palette throughout the property has been refreshed with vibrant hues like peach, coral, and pink, reflecting the lively spirit of the community. The reception building, an original Treasure Beach house, also received significant structural repairs to preserve its 140-year-old history with the help of local contractors who hold a personal connection to the site.
“It wasn’t just about fixing the property,” said Justine Henzell. "We had an incredible outpouring of support from guests and friends overseas, many of whom have visited Treasure Beach over the years. They sent funds to help rebuild the community they love so much.”
This outpouring of support highlights the unique model of community-based tourism that Jakes has fostered. The rebuilding process saw staff members taking on new roles – chefs became painters, dining room servers helped clear debris, and bartenders learned how to distinguish among different types of lumber. It was a collective effort, a labour of love driven by the need to restore not just a business, but a way of life.
A story of resilience
Reflecting on the broader significance of Jakes reopening, Floyd Green, member of parliament for St Elizabeth South Western, praised the unity of the community.
“Treasure Beach has a story of resilience, and we have really shown it through Hurricane Beryl. Treasure Beach is back for business. A number of the people have worked very hard to put their homes and businesses back together. Our community-based tourism model means that when our businesses are down, the community is out of work. Seeing everyone pulling together to get things back up and running was amazing,” said Green.
Emphasising the importance of Jakes’ reopening, he added: “Jakes is a marquee place in our tourism model, and we’re just happy to see people back at work. Our tourism has always been based on people, and the best people in the world are still here, waiting to host everybody.”
Delano Seiveright, senior adviser and strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, also hailed the reopening of Jakes, highlighting its significance in the wider community.
“Jakes is at the very epicentre of Treasure Beach, a phenomenal community-tourism model – probably one of the best in the Caribbean. Beyond that, Treasure Beach represents an almost perfect interconnection with the residents, farmers, and business operators. The reopening is a testament to that bond,” Seiveright said.
He further noted that the Ministry of Tourism had been closely involved in supporting the recovery efforts. “There are exciting developments ahead, including expanded aerodrome facilities that will boost connectivity for the area. But above all, Treasure Beach stands as the very pinnacle of a community-driven, rustic luxury tourism model.”
Beer company Red Stripe partnered with Jakes, hosting the official reopening party at the hotel’s poolside last Saturday night.