Three Sandals properties in Jamaica will not reopen for guests until the end of May next year, following damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Sandals Resorts International has said five resorts: Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Ocho Rios, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril will reopen on 6 December 2025, but Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast won’t reopen for guests until 30 May 2026 – wiping out the hotels’ peak season.
In a message to guests, Sandals said: “Just one week ago, the world watched as Hurricane Melissa grew into one of the most significant storms on record before making landfall in Jamaica.
“Incredibly, we also witnessed something even greater: the unbreakable spirit of Jamaica, along with the incredible support from across the wider Caribbean and around the world.
“Millions sent messages of hope and reached out to express just how beloved Jamaica is as a destination. We are so grateful to everyone who held the Sandals and Beaches Resorts team members, guests, and the local Jamaican communities in their thoughts.
“The support and care we’ve felt has been profoundly moving, and it is already making a difference.”
It said some of the five resorts reopening next month could be available to open sooner, but added: “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.
“They have faced numerous challenges due to Hurricane Melissa, and this will enable our team to focus on themselves and their families before returning to work.”
Yesterday, Travel Gossip reported Hyatt Inclusive Collection has suspended operations at eight properties in Montego Bay for three months, after Jamaica was devastated by Hurricane Melissa last week.
The country’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness described the island as a ‘disaster area’ after it was struck by Melissa.
On Friday, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett announced a task force had been set up to get Jamaica’s tourism fully operational by mid-December. The Task Force includes Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.
He said: “Jamaica is a large and diverse island, and each region has experienced the storm differently.
“In Ocho Rios, which is in the parish of St Ann, our resorts were largely unaffected by the most severe impacts. We have meticulously surveyed each resort, and all systems and amenities will be fully operational, to welcome guests with confidence once again.”
Agents with clients that are due to travel imminently to Jamaica with Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd. (UCHL), the UK inhouse tour operator for Sandals and Beaches Resorts, will be contacted by the operations team shortly.
Sandals has asked agents who have queries in the meantime to email [email protected].
Clients who booked a Sandals or Beaches holiday in Jamaica through a tour operator have been told to contact the operator directly.
