Message from owners of Maya Palms

[tlangell@tsc.com]

I emailed the owner of Maya Palms in Costa Maya to see how their little resort faired in Hurrican Dean. Here is their response for those interested:

 

Doug and I apologize for not answering your concerns sooner. We have had 100's of emails and calls asking about Maya Palms, the staff, Doug and I, our dogs - Nemo, Chapirro, Barney; Kika the pet chicken and Louis Holstein the cat.

 

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your genuine concern and prayers. We truly believe all of your prayers are what saved Ken, Pedro, Kenny, the pets, and Maya Palms. Everyone is safe. They survived the category 5 hurricane without a scratch. The story we finally got from them 3 days after the hurricane was horrifying. Since communications was lost for 3 days, Doug and I were climbing the walls, awaiting word from the staff, especially after Dean was upgraded to a category 5 just before making landfall in Costa Maya. We did not know if they knew Dean was upgraded to a category 5.

 

The three of them made the decision to remain at Maya Palms, feeling safe in our reinforced concrete buildings equipped with hurricane glass. Throughout the night of the hurricane and into the morning hours we did not sleep. We sat in front of the TV watching sporadic CNN and NOAA Hurricane center reports. Finally in the late morning, pictures and live reports started dribbling in. Dean was symbolized as the most powerful storm to ever make landfall in the Yucatan and the 3rd most powerful storm in history to make landfall. It was a horrible catastrophe. Photos appeared showing concrete building uplifted and cut in half. We could only imagine the worst and pray for the best.

 

We made all necessary calls to US Embassy and Mexican Government officials to check on our staff. We received word back through a trusted friend in the government that a government helicopter circled Maya Palms and reported that all our building were intact, and reassured us that our men where unharmed. Being reassured is one thing, but knowing for sure is another. After another day and a half, Ken and Pedro called us from Chetumal, telling us the story. We jumped for joy knowing the guys, and pets were all okay.

 

When they finally walked out of their safe haven for a look around Maya Palms, Ken and Pedro said it made them sick and brought tears to their eyes knowing they would be reporting this catastrophe to us. They told us how sorry they were for our loss, gave us encouragement and offered to work for no pay. They wanted us to know they loved us and are with us all the way. They will do what it takes to get Maya Palms up and running again. What a testimony from our staff. It touched our hearts. Amazingly, our 48' Dive Boat Kai Ha, rode out the storm on her reinforced mooring in front of Maya Palms.

 

We told them how we have been flooded with hundreds of emails, phone calls, and visits from concerned relatives, customers, staff, and many past guests offering there assistance for clean up help in exchange for room and board. Everyone was overjoyed to hear the guys where okay.

 

Fortunately, Maya Palms suffered no structural damage, but all the palatals were destroyed; most of the swimming pool retaining wall is gone; a few broken windows and doors were found, and all of the landscaping was destroyed. They told us about all of the looting going on in the area, and people trying to take advantage of this disaster. The town of Mahahual was devastated. It looks like a nuclear bomb exploded. All the wood buildings are gone and most concrete buildings appeared to be severely damaged. The cruise ship pier is destroyed and will take an estimated 8 months to rebuild. The Mexican Government estimates 8-10 month to rebuild the town of Mahahual.

 

These past few days have been very frightening for all of us. Our staff has been working around the clock very hard cutting trees, restoring electricity, making water, cleaning debris, repairing and securing the resort. Maya Palms is our dream and we will not let Dean get us down! We will rebuild the resort better than before! Doug, the staff, and I have worked tirelessly to make Maya Palms that special place and the best in Costa Maya. Our new goal is to surpass our previous high standards. We invite you to come back and do business with us, support us in rebuilding, keeping our staff employed, so we can share our dream with you. We should have Maya Palms up and running again by October 1. There will still be ongoing repairs, but guests will be able to do enjoy Maya Palms in spite of these repairs.

 

Thank you all for your support. Doug, Ken, Pedro, Kenny and I, again thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers, and concern. All of you are so special! You are giving us the strength to get through this disaster.

 

Please keep us in your prayers! We are now being threatened by hurricane FELIX! It is predicted to be a cat 4 when it makes landfall. Hopefully, the most violent portion of FELIX will miss the Costa Maya! We do not need a double whammy!

 

Catherine Goergens

[hdawson]

Thanks for posting. Having very goood thoughts for all effected.

[kathalinamarie]

two and four legged...

 

My husband and I spent a really delightful day at Maya Palms this past February. I have been daydreaming about spending a week at the resort. The diving was cool and the staff and service at Maya Palms was excellent. Nice to hear it is still there.