Closed hotels set timelines for reopening after hurricane

Western Bureau:

The powerful Category 5 Hurricane Melissa battered Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny, St Elizabeth, and sections of St James, forcing temporary hotel closures and displacing hundreds of hospitality workers.

Yet Jamaica’s tourism sector is already showing resilience through swift restoration work, foreign reinforcements, and community-based recovery efforts.

While the majority of hotels in Kingston and Ocho Rios escaped unscathed, properties along the island’s north-western corridor bore the brunt of the storm. Major brands such as RIU, Royalton, Princess, Ocean, Hyatt, Decameron, and Grand Muthu are now implementing carefully phased reopening plans.

RIU Resorts: Ocho Rios and Montego Bay remains open

RIU Jamaica says it has relocated visitors to its Riu Ocho Rios and Riu Montego Bay properties and has flown in engineers and technical teams from Mexico, the United States, and Spain to conduct detailed structural assessments and begin repair work.

According to the hotel’s communications team, RIU’s Sales Department will return to taking bookings on Sunday, November 9. The company has also begun distributing emergency aid packages to employees and is finalising a community-support initiative focusing on food distribution and home reconstruction for staff and nearby residents.

Riu Negril is scheduled to reopen on November 15, Riu Reggae Montego Bay on November 20, and Riu Palace Aquarelle on December 15. RIU said its goal is to restore activity in the less-affected areas first, allowing employees to return to work and the surrounding communities to regain economic stability as quickly as possible.

S Hotel remains open:

Montego Bay’s S Hotel remained open throughout the storm and has continued to welcome new guests on a daily basis. The hotel has not lost water, electricity or Internet. Several rescue crews on the island are being accommodated at the resort.

Sandals Resorts: Reopening December 6

Sandals Resorts will begin welcoming guests back, starting December 6.

These include Sandal’s Dunn’s River, Sandals Negril, Sandals Ocho Rios, Sandals Royal Plantation, and Beaches Negril. According to the hotel, each resort has completed its comprehensive assessments to prepare for arrivals. In fact, some resorts could reopen even sooner. “However, we have made the important decision to set one reopening date for all, to offer a period of rest and recovery for our local team members in Jamaica.”

Princess Grand Jamaica: Green Island Reopening December 1

The Princess Grand Jamaica will reopen on December 1 after post-storm inspections. The resort has paused sales for travel dates between October 31 and November 30 while its reservations team assists affected guests. “Princess Hotels & Resorts stands united with Jamaica, wishing for resilience, safety, and a swift recovery,” the company said in a statement thanking travellers for their patience.

Royalton Hotels & Resorts: Reopening December 15

Royalton’s properties in Montego Bay and Negril are showing encouraging progress though some areas remain under review. Arrivals before December 15 have been suspended, and cancellation fees have been waived through that date. Guests who rebook will receive a welcome amenity and bottle of wine upon arrival. The brand said its focus remains on the well-being of guests, team members, and the surrounding communities as it supports national recovery efforts.

Ocean Coral Spring & Ocean Eden Bay: Limited Operations

Part of the H10 Hotels group, the Ocean resorts in Trelawny, reported minor damage and no major structural loss. Electricity, air-conditioning, and water were quickly restored though phone and Internet lines remain unstable. Restaurants and amenities began reopening on October 31, with most guest services now operational except for select premium facilities such as the Privilege Lounge and Restaurant.

Round Hill Hotel and Villas: Back December 8

In Hopewell, Hanover, the timeless Round Hill Hotel and Villas will reopen on December 8 after completing repairs to its beachfront and landscaping.

Hyatt Inclusive Collection: Closed Until January 31, 2026

The Hyatt Inclusive Collection confirmed that all its employees and guests are safe but that its seven Jamaican resorts have suspended operations through January 31, 2026. The closures affect Breathless, Dreams Rose Hall, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Secrets St James, Secrets Wild Orchid, Jewel Grande, and Zoëtry Montego Bay. Hyatt has waived cancellation and room fees through that period and pledged support to local communities impacted by the storm.

Grand Muthu Runaway Bay Club Caribbean: Reopening November 7

Having suffered damage, the Grand Muthu will remain closed until at least November 7 while assessments continue. Management expects to confirm its full reopening date by mid-November.

Decameron Hotels: Flexible Bookings to February 2026

Decameron All-Inclusive Hotels & Resorts, which operates along Jamaica’s north coast, said it continues to face disruptions to water and electricity services. While no firm reopening date has been confirmed, Decameron is accepting new reservations for December and offering rebooking flexibility through February 28, 2026, without penalties.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has indicated that the Government is working with hoteliers and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association to achieve full destination readiness by mid-December, ahead of the crucial winter high season. Restoration of roads, power, and water lines in western parishes remains a top priority.

For thousands of tourism workers, recovery is about more than reopening doors. It is about reclaiming livelihoods.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com