After hurricanes Irma and Maria, many Caribbean resort destinations took a devastating hit. Destinations such as Puerto Rico, Anguilla, Barbuda, B.V.I., Dominica and the U.S. Virgin Islands were among the worst affected islands. Coincidentally, they are among the most popular for tourists, as the region as a whole receives more than 25 million tourists a year. Prime minister of St. Lucia, Allen Chastanat, says the return to tourism is integral to the recovery of the islands.

Luxury Caribbean hotels are opening and reopening at a rapid pace amid recovery efforts. In Puerto Rico, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort announced it would reopen in October following a $60 million renovation. The property will also launch The Ocean Drive Beachfront Residences and the Atlantic Drive Estates, and has other plans in the works for further expansion.

The renovation includes upgrades to the hotel’s Plantation House, The St. Regis Bar, the property’s signature restaurant, the seaside pool and esplanade, the spa and the oceanfront golf course. Each space and room will also undergo a transformation from the ground up. The 139 guestrooms and suites will be refurbished, and an additional 60 oceanfront rooms will be added to a secluded stretch of land.

In Anguilla, The Reef by CuisinArt, the sister property to CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, officially reopened in April. The property returns with 80 accommodations, two restaurants, a revamped lobby bar and lounge, and expanded wellness offerings on Anguilla’s Merrywing Bay.

The Reef is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with 25 junior suites; 25 seaview junior suites with impressive views; and 30 beachfront, corner beachfront, superior and deluxe junior suites.

The Reef is dedicated to wellness offerings including several fitness classes, aquatic conditioning, water sports, tennis, golf and more. The menus at the resort feature fresh produce from the Hydroponic Farm and a variety of locally sourced ingredients.

Another popular Anguilla property, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, returned in March after months of restoration. The resort is applauded for its popularity with millennial couples and baby boomers for its intimacy and access to multiple beaches.

As of February, nearly 50 percent of Caribbean properties have reopened and made a comeback in the region — and more continue to make progress as recovery efforts continue throughout the islands.