One Key West resort owner has turned the city’s “One Human Family” motto into action by forgoing profits for the next 90 days, keeping employees working and providing hotel rooms at cost for construction workers and other essential personnel for $73.52 per night.
Ibis Bay Beach Resort owner Chris Holland announced the move earlier this week in an effort “to help meet the need of local essential business owners, city government and service providers for low-cost essential worker housing during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The flat, nightly price applies to all rooms and suites in the resort, Holland said.
“We all need to really live by the motto ‘One Human Family,’” said Holland, who bought and completely overhauled the 1956 resort several years ago. “The essential worker, net-cost, zero-profit pricing is our way of turning a motto into action. Key West needs to be able to provide essential workers and their employers with quality, affordable temporary housing and support services that don’t generate a dime of profit.”
Holland said the resort is able to take this unprecedented action because it is independently owned and operated.
“We can do it, so we are doing it,” he said, pointing out that the city of Key West, grocery stores, health care providers, transportation companies and construction companies are now bringing in essential workers to perform necessary infrastructure improvements or keep their businesses and services operating normally.
“Our goal is to reduce the cost of safe housing for the essential professionals…while keeping our staff engaged…,” Holland said.
Every day, arriving staff members and guests have their temperatures taken using a no-touch, digital thermometer. The resort staff will also continue thoroughly sanitizing every room between each essential worker guest stay. Even take-out patrons of the Stoned Crab restaurant at the hotel have their temperatures checked before entering the restaurant. Holland said.
“We are all in this together,” he added. “And we will come through this together if we band together. Generosity and love for mankind should be our guide. Each of us is the solution we are waiting for.”
Interested parties can call the resort at (305) 296-1043. Holland can be reached directly at (646) 642-3764.
