Seventy per cent of Florida Keys accommodation now open as post-Irma recovery continues

More than 70 per cent of the total visitor accommodation inventory in the Florida Keys is now open and available for booking as the destination continues its recovery from Hurricane Irma.

Less than 10 weeks after the tropical cyclone impacted the sub-tropical island chain, the Keys are providing quality sun holiday experiences for visitors.  More than 90 per cent of hotel rooms in Key West and almost 80 per cent of Key Largo rooms are welcoming guests, while the vast majority of attractions throughout the Keys are operating normally.

A number of Atlantic oceanside properties in the Islamorada, Marathon and Lower Keys districts, including some resorts popular with international visitors, are continuing recovery and renovation efforts and most are to begin reopening in early 2018.

Some may be ready earlier, including Islamorada’s 110-room Amara Cay Resort which is taking bookings for mid-December and onwards.

Most bayside properties in Marathon and Islamorada, including Hyatt Place at Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club in Marathon, have been open for weeks. Others in the region, including Hawks Cay Resort, will not fully be ready for another six to 12 months, depending on the extent of renovations.

“We are thankful that so much of our island destination is open and welcoming visitors after Irma,” said Stacey Mitchell, Director of Marketing for the Florida Keys Tourist Development Council. “Our basic infrastructure is operating normally, including the famed Florida Keys Overseas Highway.

“We still have a little way to go in some areas, but progress has been very quick and recent visitors have been delighted that Irma has not prevented them from enjoying satisfying, memorable travel experiences in the Keys,” she added.