South Coast hotel considers closure amid coastal erosion

Serious beach erosion and rising sea levels are threatening the structure of the centuries-old Savannah Beach Hotel in the UNESCO Historic Garrison area, forcing its owner to consider closing the property if emergency measures cannot be taken to mitigate what the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) has described as a crisis.

Beach erosion along a section of the shoreline behind Savannah Beach Hotel, where the sea is encroaching towards the property. (Photos by Maria Bascombe)

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Veteran hotelier Bernie Weatherhead, who owns the south coast property, said on Friday that the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that he had paid out more than $100 000 in refunds to guests affected by the eroding beach. Some of the trees along what remains of the beach have also fallen into the sea.