One year after Hurricane Irma devastated the Florida Keys, a long-established resort reopened at the end of August.
Hawks Cay Resort experienced extensive damage during last year’s storms. Over the past year, the property completed a $50 million renovation to repair Irma-related destruction and update facilities throughout the resort.
“After Hurricane Irma, we didn’t just look at recovering from the storm,” said Sheldon Suga, managing director of Hawks Cay. “That would have been the quickest and easiest way to do this, but it was an opportunity for us to reimagine Hawks Cay.”
Following the hurricane, the resort had to lay off a significant portion of its staff. For the reopening, Hawks Cay rehired and recruited more than 200 team members to restore operations and guest services.
The property now offers 177 guest rooms, returning the resort to roughly 90 percent of its pre-Irma operating capacity.
“We have this family that works here and we take pride in that,” Suga said. “That’s one of the most important things … bringing the family back together.”
The renovated resort emphasizes refreshed accommodations and improved amenities, designed to enhance guest comfort while preserving the resort’s coastal character. Management focused on both structural repairs and aesthetic upgrades, ensuring guest rooms, common areas, and recreational facilities meet modern standards.
Reopening also signals a renewed commitment to the local community and the regional tourism economy. Restoring staffing levels and guest capacity helps support surrounding businesses that rely on visitor traffic to the Keys.
With hurricane resilience in mind, the renovation incorporated repairs and improvements intended to better protect the property from future storms. These upgrades aim to speed recovery times and minimize damage should severe weather occur again.
Guests returning to Hawks Cay can expect a blend of familiar hospitality and refreshed spaces. The resort’s leadership framed the project as an opportunity to move forward stronger, combining lessons learned from the storm with investments in long-term guest experience.
As the destination continues to rebuild and welcome travelers, Hawks Cay’s reopening stands as an example of recovery efforts across the Florida Keys following the disruptions caused by Irma.