New Orleans, Gulf Coast Hotels Absorb Katrina Damage

NEW ORLEANS— Despite a last-minute downgrade from a category 5 to a category 3 storm, Hurricane Katrina still packed sufficient wallop yesterday to temporarily disable hotels here, elsewhere in Louisiana, and in neighboring markets in Mississippi and Alabama. While hotels in the effected areas experienced flooding, broken windows, damaged exteriors, and downed power lines, hotel managers were generally relieved that the damage fell short of the catastrophic levels predicted. One glaring exception was the 1,184-room Hyatt Regency New Orleans located downtown at Poydras and Loyola Avenue. In addition to flooding damage, most guestroom windows were blown out by fierce winds along one side of the glass-walled hotel tower. “All guestrooms were completely vacated prior to Katrinas arrival,” reported GM Michael Smith. The hotel is closed indefinitely. According to a Marriott International spokesman, 18 of Marriotts hotels in the effected region were evacuated due to the storm and remain closed. As of 11 A.M. (EST), Tuesday, Aug. 30, the hotels were awaiting clearance from local authorities before reopening. Similarly, 19 Hilton-branded hotels were evacuated and dont expect to begin accepting short-term reservations until Thursday, Sept. 1. According to a Hilton spokeswoman, one of the companys properties, the Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach, on the Florida Panhandle, experienced more serious damage and doesnt expect to reopen until December. No injuries were reported to either guests or employees at any of Hilton or Marriotts properties. In the gaming markets along the Gulf Coast, preliminary reports were mixed. MGMs Beau Rivage remained structurally sound, while other properties in Biloxi and Gulfport sustained extensive damage. Floating casinos sustained the worst damage. While hotels officially closed due to the emergency, managers were sensitive to the needs of tourists and other travelers who had no other place to go while waiting out the crisis. At the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, for example, more than 100 guests remained. “Our generators continued to provide power, so we all rode out the storm together,” said GM Tony McHale. He plans an official “reopening” for the hotel on Wednesday, Aug. 31.