Quality Inn & Suites Owners Provide Shelter During Hurricane Helene
Located in the mountains of western North Carolina, the Quality Inn & Suites Hendersonville – Flat Rock is more than just a hotel for Sunny and Reema Desai; it is a vital part of the local community. The couple has always prioritized welcoming guests and staff with care, a commitment that was put to the test one year ago when Hurricane Helene struck the area. The storm caused significant damage, leaving many residents without homes, power, or water.
“September 27,” recalls Reema.
“That’s when Helene hit us, and we had no idea it would be as damaging as it turned out to be.”
“This level of damage — so many people lost homes and lives,” adds Sunny. “We were fortunate to have power and water at the hotel. We had a kitchen and supplies of food.”
The Desais then opened their hotel to those who needed a place to stay.
“I didn’t have anywhere to go. I had no power, no water,” says Choice Hotels Area Director Christy Williams, who lives in Asheville, about 25 miles away.
“I grabbed my 84-year-old neighbour, and we drove down here, where we were welcomed.”
Christy, who has worked with the Desais since they purchased the property in 2019, was among the first individuals to find shelter, a bed, and meals at the hotel.
“We were a mixed group of guests here,” Christy says.
“People without power and water, people who lost homes, first responders and rescuers who had come from across the country… This became their temporary home.”
For Sunny, the experience reshaped how he thought about community:
“Most of the time we think of our family as only you and your wife and kids, but when something happens like this, you think of other people around you as your family,” he says.
Choice Hotels recognizes Sunny and Reema as two of many small business owners who operate Choice properties, emphasizing the crucial role these hotels play in supporting their communities during difficult times.
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