80.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesHotel Icon Lorette Resch Dies at 86

Hotel Icon Lorette Resch Dies at 86

Lorette Resch, prominent member of the U.S. Virgin Islands community, died on April 21 at age 86. Though born in Brooklyn, New York, Resch was an islander at heart and will be deeply missed by family, friends and colleagues.
“Lorette Resch was a unique, fierce force of nature. There was no one quite like her before she arrived on the scene and there won’t be another like her now that she is gone — a true iconic figure in Caribbean tourism,” said Richard Doumeng, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association president.
Friends shared anecdotes and memories about Resch, often commenting on the difficulty of capturing her fiery personality in words. They all agreed that Resch was an invaluable team player who worked tirelessly to promote tourism in the region.
“Lorette Resch and her late husband, Michael, were island icons. They came to the island when tourism was in its infancy and were able to make their own rules. The first word which comes to my mind when I think of Lorette is feisty! She always spoke here mind — no matter what the consequences,” said Mary Gleason, friend and key figure in the local hotel industry.
Lorette Resch and her late husband Michael Resch first came to the U.S. Virgin Islands in the mid-1950s when their cruise ship was indefinitely docked in St. Thomas due to inclement weather. While visiting and enjoying the pristine beaches, the Resches imagined a bungalow-style hotel where guests could stay while they visited St. Thomas. The Island Beachcomber, the first beachfront hotel in the Virgin Islands, became a reality a very short time after. Knowing that their guests needed a way to traverse the island, the Resches also opened the first car rental agency, Sun Island Car Rental. They eventually acquired three additional properties: Tropic Isle Hotel, Contant Great House and Shibui, the first villa-style, mountainside resort. Michael designed and built the properties with insight and integrity, while Lorette was instrumental in hiring and training staff. They were both committed to elevating the island and the services available to visitors.
The Resches, Lorette in particular, traveled with their own funds, accompanying tourism officials and promoting the USVI to travel agents. She became an allied member of the American Society of Travel Agents and attended its trade shows in Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Greece and Amsterdam, where she was able to speak to a captive audience of over 1000 travel agents.
She burst onto the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) scene in 1972 when former association president Jack Gold recruited her to be part of his Small Hotels Advisory Committee (SHAC), which was tasked with expanding membership. The council went from island to island where they personally provided practical assistance to national hotel associations with the development of their hotel and tourism product. The SHAC experts covered everything from food and beverage operation to accounting, public relations and marketing.
Lorette became the first woman elected to the CHA board of directors in 1974 and later was appointed as the first CHA treasurer, a position she held for more than 10 years. She was named Caribbean Hotelier of the Year in 1984, becoming the first woman to receive this prestigious recognition.
She was also an honorary member of CHTA. Lorette was a vital supporter of the CHA Education Foundation from the beginning and was involved in the establishment of the silent auction as a main fundraising event for the foundation.
“Although CHA was officially launched in Puerto Rico in 1962, much of the impetus for its growth and regional recognition came from the Virgin Islands, in particular St. Thomas. Lorette Resch, more than anyone, was the fulcrum on which CHA’s credibility was balanced and who provided the impetus that made it a regional force to be reckoned with,” said former CHA executive director John Bell in 2010.
The Resches were original members of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel Association (now the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association), which was founded by Lorette, Alton Adams Sr. and Milan Glumidge. The Resches received the association’s Award of Excellence at the USVIHTA 2010 Tommy Star Awards Gala.
Michael Resch died on March 15, 2011, at the age of 87. She leaves behind her three loving children: Nancy Cleary (husband Michael), Michael Resch (wife Susan) and Laurie Osuchowski (husband John); as well as grandchildren: Michael Madden Resch, Caitlin Cleary, Nicholas Resch, Erin (Cleary) Alexander, Johnathan Resch, Michael Cleary, and Jecen and Elizabeth Osuchowski; and sister, Irene Heyman of North Carolina.
The family is still involved with the ongoing operation of the Island Beachcomber Hotel, a family commitment that spans three generations.
The viewing will be held at Hurley-Davis Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association’s Scholarship Fund. Please call USVIHTA president Lisa Hamilton at 774-6835 for details.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.