The clean up at Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows is making good progress and if all goes well, the iconic hotel could be back in business in July this year.

This was confirmed by Sheraton Samoa’s General Manager, Mark Francis, during a press conference for the 'Sheraton 2 Sheraton 33km Regatta'.

The five-star-hotel was closed after it was heavily flooded when the Vaisigano River burst its banks during Cyclone Gita earlier this year. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer yesterday, the Resort’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Sherrilyn Charles, said their main focus is to get the hotel up and running by July.

She is also mindful that anything could happen between now and July. 

“It’s not confirmed yet, but that is definitely the aim for us,” she said.

“We’ve just completed the first stage by carrying out a very big clean up inside and around the hotel. Now we are on to the next stage and that is the renovation of the rooms,” Ms. Charles said. 

“Works focus pretty much on the rooms, restaurants and other public areas that we need to get the hotel running.”

Tourists and locals alike can expect an extravagant opening of one of Samoa’s iconic buildings.  

“I’ve actually been tasked to do a pre-opening plan. So it’s very important to keep the spirit of Samoa alive because the resort is important to many and it is an iconic building." 

“So we want to open it with a big bang and for people to celebrate. Watch this space we will inform you on the opening.”

Ms. Charles is confident the Hotel will be able to build on the momentum of their rate of occupancy. 

“I am confident that we will retain and also increase our occupancy. I’ve only been here two years and I am confident in Samoa as a tourism destination, so we want to build on that momentum.”

Although she could not confirm the total cost of renovation, she said the works they are carrying out now looks at improving the hotel and ensuring that damages are minimised in cases of natural disasters.  

Of the quick response taken by the Hotel in ensuring the safety of their guests during the cyclone, Ms. Charles said: “It’s amazing how we approached the situation, how we were able to lead everybody through the situation and ensured their safety." 

“It’s the force of nature, it happens, so we keep on smiling and try and work from where we left off developing and improving the resort.”