Riu Says All Seven Jamaica Properties will Reopen by December 15

Riu Hotels & Resorts says it is ready to reopen all seven of its hotels in Jamaica before the end of the year, leading the reactivation of hotel operations in the destination. 

The country is dedicated to the recovery of its main industry as the best way to overcome the crisis caused by the passage of Hurricane Melissa. The reopening is accompanied by the return of charter flight operations from key markets including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, thanks to the commitment of Sunwing and TUI to the destination’s recovery.

Operations are being reactivated in phases. The Riu Ocho Rios, located in one of the destinations least affected by the storm, has remained open and has already recovered all its services. 

The Riu Montego Bay reopened its doors on Sunday, November 23, and the Riu Palace Jamaica reopened November 24, reintroducing the premium product in this first stage of reactivation. 

The four remaining establishments (Riu Reggae; Riu Negril; Riu Palace Tropical Bay, and Riu Palace Aquarelle) have tentative opening dates scheduled from November 30 to December 15, 2025.

RIU’s operational and technical team worked on the necessary cleaning and repair work just a few days after Melissa passed to ensure the hotels would be ready for the winter season. The main challenges were restoring water and electricity services, which are already functioning in all destinations.

RIU says its commitment to Jamaica has focused on its employees, in line with the Proudly Committed strategy. This has materialized in the form of direct aid and the restoration of employment. The chain has mobilized a fund of US$1,000,000, of which 80% has been assigned directly to staff. This support includes $570,000 specifically for providing materials for the reconstruction of employees’ homes, and $230,000 for immediate aid packages with basic necessities. Additionally, it has enabled an interest-free credit line of $1,300,000 to facilitate the management of damages.

The remaining 20% of the aid fund is being allocated to the Jamaican community. In collaboration with the Jamaica Basic School Foundation, US$200,000 has been donated in humanitarian aid to deliver 1,750 support packages to isolated communities with limited assistance.

RIU has also partnered with the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) to prepare and distribute more than 7,000 solidarity meals daily from Negril and Montego Bay to affected communities. The company says this initiative pursues the dual objective of providing one hot meal a day in the most affected areas while also offering a source of employment to employees while normal operations are being restored.

After 24 years in the destination, RIU has seven hotels in Jamaica in Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth, totaling more than 4,000 rooms and 4,000 employees.