SHOAL BAY EAST, ANGUILLA — An official reopening date for one of Anguilla’s most luxurious hotels has been set following last year’s devastating hurricanes, a sign that the badly hit island is well on its way to a full recovery.

Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa, the luxury boutique hotel nestled on world-famous Shoal Bay Beach, will be the first five-star property to reopen on the island. Its developer, Fountain Beach Residence, has set the opening date for Feb. 15 and has confirmed that the hotel has returned to its award-winning five-star status.

Repairs made at the property include the transformation of the 300-year-old Thai House spa, an authentic Thai Rice Barn, into a luxury spa. Guestrooms were also brought back to their high standards, with suites and beachfront villas getting an upgrade of soft goods. Internet, cable TV and telephone connections were restored, plus the lush grounds have been re-landscaped back to its original beauty.

Its beachfront was redone with additional sand brought in, and the pool areas were also restored. What’s more, Zemi Beach House’s restaurants – Stone and 20 Knots – will reopen with all-new menus.

Immediately following Hurricane Irma, the Zemi Beach House team worked with several real estate owners and private employers on the island to create Anguilla Stronger, a relief effort designed to provide the most effective relief support to the permanent residents of Anguilla as quickly and efficiently as possible. Thus far, the fund has helped raise over US$1 million for the island and its people.

Other island development updates can be found on irma.ivisitanguilla.com, the central portal launched by The Anguilla Tourism Board to share updates on the island’s recover post-Irma. The user-friendly site also provides up-to-date information on access to the island via air and sea, ground transportation, proposed reopening dates for restaurants and attractions, and updates on essential services like telecommunications, banking and medical facilities.