How Resort Closures Are Reshaping Where Visitors Stay in Jamaica
Several major resorts around Montego Bay and Rose Hall are expected to remain closed until November 1, 2026 following Hurricane Melissa. Here’s what it means for travelers—and why more visitors are exploring other resort hubs and private stays.
Montego Bay has long been one of Jamaica’s most popular resort destinations, partly because many flagship all-inclusive properties are clustered close together along the coastline. That proximity can be a strength—easy transfers, short drives, and a familiar resort corridor. But it also creates a unique vulnerability: when multiple large hotels in the same zone pause operations at once, the destination loses a major share of its room supply in one hit.
Why proximity matters in Montego Bay and Rose Hall
In Montego Bay, Breathless Montego Bay, Secrets St. James, and Secrets Wild Orchid are located very close to one another on the same peninsula. Nearby in Rose Hall, properties including Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Dreams Rose Hall, and Jewel Grande sit within a short stretch of coastline as well.
When several hotels in these compact clusters are closed at the same time, the effect is bigger than any single resort. It can temporarily reduce availability across the entire Montego Bay area and encourage travelers who would normally stay there to look elsewhere for a similar experience.
Seven Hyatt-affiliated resorts expected to remain closed until November 2026
According to a Hyatt spokesperson, seven Hyatt-affiliated resorts in Jamaica are expected to remain closed through November 1, 2026, following a detailed damage assessment after Hurricane Melissa struck the island on October 28. The extended timeline is intended to allow for repairs and planned upgrades before reopening.
Resorts listed as impacted include:
- Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa
- Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa
- Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall
- Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall
- Secrets St. James Montego Bay
- Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay
- Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa
What guests should expect
If you have an affected reservation, look for direct outreach from your hotel, booking platform, or travel advisor. In many cases, travelers are offered alternative accommodations within the same brand family or the option to cancel without penalty, depending on booking terms.
What this means for Jamaica tourism
Jamaica’s tourism demand doesn’t disappear—it redistributes. When large resort corridors pause operations, travel patterns shift toward nearby hubs and private accommodations, and visitors often discover new regions they may not have considered before.
Why travelers are shifting toward Falmouth, Ocho Rios, and Negril
With fewer resort rooms available in the Montego Bay/Rose Hall corridor, many travelers are looking to other established hubs. Falmouth offers newer all-inclusive inventory along the north coast and easy access to popular experiences. Ocho Rios remains a strong base for waterfall excursions and day trips, while Negril continues to attract visitors drawn to its beach culture and relaxed rhythm.
The Montego Bay villa & Airbnb boom
Another trend strengthening during periods of reduced resort availability is demand for private stays—villas, apartments, and Airbnb-style rentals. Travelers often cite privacy, extra space, flexible meal plans, and a more customized experience, especially for group travel, multi-generation trips, or longer stays.
A changing landscape, not a decline
Extended hotel closures are significant, but they do not mean Jamaica’s tourism engine has stopped. They represent a period of rebuilding and reinvestment—one that may temporarily change where visitors stay while the Montego Bay and Rose Hall resort corridor prepares for a future return.