Kensington Hotel Saipan will temporarily close to repair significant damage from super typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi, with some of its employees possibly facing furlough while the work is underway.
Kensington general manager Ted Jung confirmed the planned closure last Aug. 13 in a social media exchange with Marianas Press, but said the hotel has yet to determine when it will close or how long repairs will take.
“Kensington Hotel Saipan suffered significant facility damage from [super] typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi,” Jung said.
He said Kensington could have closed earlier to begin repairs, but instead kept its doors open because accommodations were needed for relief personnel who came to the CNMI following the two storms.
“Although we could have temporarily closed the hotel to carry out the necessary restoration work, we have continued operations because there was a shortage of accommodations for the relief teams that came to the CNMI to support the recovery efforts,” Jung said.
That will change once the relief teams finish their work and leave.
“Once the relief teams have completed their work and returned home, we plan to temporarily close the hotel, carry out the necessary repairs and restoration of the facilities damaged by the typhoons, and reopen as soon as possible,” Jung said. “The date for the temporary closure has not yet been determined.”
Asked which parts of the property need work, Jung said the repairs involve “mainly swimming pools.”
The temporary shutdown could also affect Kensington’s workforce.
“Some employees may be placed on furlough,” Jung said.
Jung did not provide a number when Marianas Press asked how many employees could be affected. He also said the hotel has not settled on a timetable for completing the repairs.
“The restoration period is still under review,” he said.
Kensington was among the major Saipan properties battered by Super Typhoon Sinlaku in April. In an April 23 interview with Marianas Press, Jung said the hotel suffered shattered glass and ceiling damage on multiple floors, while flooding affected its elevator systems. Guest rooms, however, largely escaped major damage.
Despite the damage, Kensington was able to maintain power, water, and Wi-Fi using generators and its reverse osmosis system. At the height of the typhoon's aftermath, it housed about 70 to 80 stranded tourists.
As those tourists departed, the hotel shifted toward housing first responders and recovery personnel, including personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Kensington had also been operating on a limited basis following Sinlaku, with East Moon restaurant open while the swimming pool remained closed because of debris and the lack of tourist demand.
Jung did not confirm information raised by Marianas Press that FEMA personnel staying at Kensington would be transferred to another hotel.
The cost of the damage from Sinlaku and Bavi also remains unclear, with Jung not providing an estimate as of the morning of Aug. 13.
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