TORONTO — With hurricane season on the minds of many travellers, Saint Lucia’s top hotels and resorts are offering peace of mind with an expansive Hurricane Guarantee program.

Originally created in 2018, the program ensures that visitors can book vacations to the island with confidence at any time of year, particularly during the traditional hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

“Consumer confidence is extremely important to us in Saint Lucia, so the Hurricane Guarantee is in place to assure our visitors that they are covered in the unlikely instance that an established hurricane will alter their travel plans,” said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. “Based on history and statistics, the likelihood of a major hurricane landing in Saint Lucia is low but we want our guests to feel confident booking their holiday.”

As part of the program, individual hotel groups plus hotel operators associated with the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) are offering the Hurricane Guarantee, which covers cancellations made prior to arrival and if a vacation is cut short due to a hurricane.

Details of the guarantee include:

• If a hurricane warning is issued by the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service (MET), guests can cancel their hotel reservation without penalty. (“Hurricane” Storm being classified as a hurricane category force storm)
• Hotel deposits may be applied to any future bookings.
• Group booking cancellations will be handled on an individual basis in accordance with the group contract.
• In the event that a member hotel is not able to continue its operations due to damage incurred by a hurricane (as determined by the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service), the member hotel will invite the guest to return for a complimentary stay within one year from the reopening of the member hotel.

Nearly two dozen hotels are participating in the program, including: Anse Chastanet, Bay Gardens Resorts (five properties), Bel Jou Hotel, Calabash Cove, Hotel Chocolat, Jade Mountain, The Landings Resort & Spa, Marigot Bay Resort and Marina, Royalton Saint Lucia Resort & Spa, St. James Club Morgan Bay, Ti Kaye Resort & Spa and Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort.

Moreover, the following hotels offer their own individual hurricane policies: BodyHoliday Saint Lucia, Castles in Paradise, Palm Haven, Oasis Marigot and Sandals Resorts (three properties). Terms and details can be found on the individual websites for these hotels.

For more information click here.