Round Hill Hotel & Villas Sets Re-open Date, Launches Relief Fund for Hurricane Melissa Recovery

Round Hill Hotel & Villas, a 4.5-star luxury property in Montego Bay, has announced its reopening date after Hurricane Melissa forced its closure last month.

On Oct. 28, a category 5 hurricane battered Jamaica, resulting in widespread damage to the heavily touristed Montego Bay area. The devastating winds and heavy rainfall resulted in flooding, loss of infrastructure, and property damage across the island nation.

In a release, Round Hill Hotel & Villas said the property “sustained only minimal impact to its facilities” from the storm, but had to temporarily close due to “the considerable challenges affecting the surrounding community, including local roads and infrastructure.”

The resort has announced it will reopen on Dec. 8, 2025—ahead of Jamaica’s planned Dec. 15 reopening target. In the meantime, the resort is doing what it can to help with the recovery efforts, including serving over 500 meals a day and hosting employees and their families who have been displaced.

“Our staff is the heart of Round Hill,” said Josef Forstmayr, managing director. “In times like these, hospitality must be about humanity. Taking care of one another is not only our responsibility, it is who we are.”

Round Hill’s Board of Directors has also established a fund to provide financial support for employees and long-standing contracted workers.

“At Round Hill, we have always believed that our greatest strength lies in our people, and at this time, our people need help,” said Board Chairman Mr. Stephen Lari in a letter to staff.

Round Hill Hotel & Villas also announced a special Black Friday deal, promising to pledge 5% of proceeds to the relief fund.

“As we begin the recovery process, we want to remind everyone that you are not alone,” added Lari. “Our hotel family, including our shareholders, have always stood together through challenges, and this time is no different.”