Royalton Negril in Jamaica Reopens After Hurricane Recovery
by Briana Bonfiglio
Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett greets workers at Royalton Negril on the property’s reopening on Aug. 25. Photo: Jamaica Tourist Board
Royalton Negril reopened on Aug. 25, marking another milestone in Jamaica’s tourism recovery following Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
Due to storm damage, the 573-room resort had fully closed and underwent extensive restoration and renovations. It has now resumed operations, with 960 workers returning to employment.
“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,” said Jamaica Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett. “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.”
Royalton’s other Jamaica resorts, Royalton Blue Waters and Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters, are set to reopen on Sept. 15, representing another 578 rooms that will return to the market and 1,200 staff members back to work.
The phased reopening of Jamaica’s hotels and resorts will continue through 2026 and into 2027. Later this year, Sea Garden Hotel, Zoetry Montego Bay, Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay, and Sandals Royal Caribbean are all set to reopen.
According to the Jamaica Tourist Board, about 80,000 tourism sector workers have returned to employment since Hurricane Melissa, and about 5,648 hotel rooms were scheduled to return to inventory through 2026.





