KINGSTON, JAMAICA — Royalton Negril has officially reopened following an extensive post-Hurricane Melissa restoration and refresh, returning 573 rooms to Jamaica’s hotel inventory and bringing 960 employees back to work.
The resort resumed operations on Aug. 25 as part of a broader phased recovery across Jamaica’s tourism sector.
“The return of Royalton Negril strengthens the recovery of Jamaica’s vital tourism sector while restoring hundreds of livelihoods and renewing economic activity across Negril and surrounding communities. The reopening comes as hotels across the island continue to return to service, with additional properties scheduled to reopen in the months ahead and reinforces our resilience,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.
Royalton Blue Waters and Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters are also scheduled to reopen Sept. 15, returning another 578 rooms to inventory and bringing approximately 1,200 additional employees back to work.
According to Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, about 80,000 hotel workers have already returned to work across the sector, while approximately 5,648 hotel rooms were scheduled to return to inventory through 2026.
“This demonstrates what is possible when the public and private sectors, tourism partners and communities work together toward recovery. It means real income and a return to the livelihoods or our most treasured asset – our people. It means visitor spending and supporting businesses and communities throughout the tourism value chain – from transportation and attractions to agriculture, entertainment and small and medium-sized enterprises,” added Minister Bartlett.
MORE HOTEL REOPENINGS AHEAD
Jamaica’s hotel recovery is continuing in phases, with Sea Garden Hotel, Zoetry Montego Bay, Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean among the properties scheduled to return later this year.
“These reopenings are expected to progressively restore room capacity and provide more for us to market globally. It is a significant move that will support our value proposition to attract more visitors,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism.
Royalton says its restoration program has included investments in infrastructure, accommodations and guest experiences as it prepares its Jamaica portfolio for a broader return.
For more information about Jamaica, go to www.visitjamaica.com.
Lead image caption: Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlet, greets workers at Royalton Negril on the property’s reopening on Aug. 25, 2026
