Part of Jamaica’s appeal to travelers is the diversity of its tourism offerings, especially in the hotel sector, which includes everything from budget-friendly, all-inclusive resorts to sophisticated boutique properties. And this sector continues to grow, with new or newly refurbished resorts adding more than 2,000 rooms to the island’s portfolio in 2014, with more to come.
Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa
The 225-room Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa recently opened in Ocho Rios. The adults-only oceanfront retreat is situated on Runaway Bay and boasts on an all-inclusive health, spa and fitness theme. This is the third Jewel property to be opened in Jamaica by the Sagicor Group.
Azul Sensatori
Jamaica's first Azul Sensatori hotel by Karisma Hotels & Resorts in Negril opened its doors in December 2013. The Karisma brand has grown tremendously in Mexico’s Riviera Maya region; Azul Sensatori Jamaica marks the company’s first property outside of Mexico and its sixth property overall. The 136-room hotel features separate adults-only and family sections.
Spanish Court Hotel
Kingston’s newest property, the Spanish Court Hotel, opened last month and offers 108 standard deluxe, junior and penthouse suites. Guests can visit the recently opened gift shop to take a piece of Jamaica back home, or relax in the new lounge set to debut in April. The hotel’s Sky Terrace and Mountain Deck are available for private or business events.
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall
The lion’s share of hotel development is taking place in Montego Bay, and the all-inclusive, family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall is among the recent openings. The hotel was formerly the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort & Spa and will reopen later this year with expanded facilities and more rooms. Playa Hotels & Resorts owns and manages the brand.
Braco Village Hotel & Spa
Jamaica has seen increased investment by Spanish hotel operators, such as the 226-room Braco Village Hotel & Spa in Trelawny, the first Melia Hotel International property on the island. The hotel is now undergoing a comprehensive renovation and will reopen as the upscale, all-inclusive Melia Jamaica in November 2014.
Riu Palace Jamaica
Riu recently opened the Riu Palace Jamaica, located next to the Riu Montego Bay. The all-inclusive Riu Palace Jamaica is an adults-only, 238-room hotel and is considered Riu's most luxurious property in Jamaica. This is the island’s fifth Riu hotel.
Royalton White Sands
The luxurious Royalton White Sands opened last November, expanding the all-inclusive, five-star hotel pool in Trelawny. The site was formerly Breezes Trelawny and has undergone an extensive renovation. It now offers 352 guestrooms and is being marketed as an "all-in connectivity" resort, with free in-room calls to North America and most of Europe as well as free Wi-Fi access throughout the property.
The Oasis at Sunset
The Oasis at Sunset was formerly the Beach Inn, a wing of the Sunset Beach Resort Spa & Waterpark. The 124-room section was renamed The Oasis at Sunset and opened in December as a separate hotel. Here guests will enjoy attentive service, a dedicated concierge, a private beach (with a nude section tucked out of the way) and access to all of the facilities, activities, entertainment and restaurants at the Sunset Beach all-inclusive resort.
The Details
Jamaica Tourist Boardwww.visitjamaica.com
