Jamaica Tourism Faces Extended Pause as Royalton Resorts Delays Reopenings to Late 2026: What You Need to Know

Published on November 24, 2025

Jamaica’s tourism recovery has hit a significant milestone as Royalton Hotels and Resorts confirmed it will delay the reopening of its major Jamaica properties until late 2026 amid ongoing post-Hurricane Melissa restoration. This move underscores a “safety-first” philosophy, with Royalton emphasizing compliance with national tourism authority standards, long-term operational security, and a commitment to both visitor and employee welfare.

Delayed Timelines for Major Jamaica Resorts

Royalton Negril, Royalton Hideaway Negril, and Grand Lido Negril will now reopen on August 25, 2026, while Royalton Blue Waters and Royalton Hideaway Blue Waters are scheduled to welcome guests again on September 15, 2026. The decision follows extensive inspections revealing that significant repairs across guest areas, infrastructure, and back-of-house operations are necessary before resuming operations safely and sustainably. Royalton informed global travel partners that these timelines are subject to review if readiness is achieved sooner, but the overriding priority remains safety and operational stability.​

Guest and Travel Advisor Flexibility Prioritized

In acknowledgment of the disruption to travel plans, Royalton is allowing guests to cancel or rebook without penalty, or transfer their reservations to other properties within the Royalton Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Relocated or rebooked guests will receive a welcome amenity and wine on arrival as a gesture of appreciation. The company emphasized its responsibility to stakeholders, highlighting that only when all guest and staff safety protocols are assured will reopening occur, aiming to support Jamaica’s reputation for safe, world-class tourism.​

Tourism Sector Recovery: Mixed Timelines

Royalton’s decision contrasts with other leading Jamaican resorts like Sandals and iconic Montego Bay resorts Half Moon and Round Hill, which are reopening as soon as December 2025 after swifter restoration efforts. Nevertheless, Royalton’s extended closure highlights the unique operational challenges posed by Hurricane Melissa’s impact on Jamaica’s north coast, including infrastructure, utilities, and broader logistics across some of Jamaica’s most in-demand tourism corridors.​

This approach is also mirrored by other resorts along the north and northwest coasts that face protracted reopening timelines due to severe storm damage. In contrast, hotels in less severely impacted regions or those able to accelerate restoration have sought rapid return to service in time for the high-season winter tourism rush.​

Jamaica’s Focus on Safe, Sustainable Tourism Recovery

Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism continues to encourage a full restart of tourism by December 15, 2025, targeting restored infrastructure, services, and operational standards as critical to long-term tourism competitiveness. The phased reopening allows the tourism workforce, recently supported by a billion-Jamaican dollar fund for affected staff, to gradually transition back to stable employment as resorts finalize extensive post-storm works.​

The delay at Royalton’s key properties is positioned as part of a broader, deliberate vision to reinforce Jamaica’s status as a premier Caribbean destination offering not only scenic and cultural appeal but also robust, reliable hospitality infrastructure in face of intensifying climate-related risks.

Forward-Looking Recovery and Tourism Incentives

Royalton’s safety-driven reopening stance provides a unique opportunity for incremental upgrades, with the company and others on Jamaica’s coast using closures to invest further in guest amenities and property improvements. As a result, travelers can anticipate enhanced facilities and services once doors reopen, reinforcing Jamaica’s tourism value proposition.​

A transparent and flexible guest handling policy maintains traveler trust and can fuel pent-up demand when resorts are ready, with Jamaica’s diverse hotel market, culinary experiences, and legendary hospitality primed for a rebound supported by airlift recovery and revived global interest.​

Conclusion

The extension of Royalton’s Jamaica resort closures to August and September 2026 is a measured, safety-centered response to extraordinary hurricane impacts, marking a slow but confident pathway to recovery for both the brand and the national tourism sector. By focusing on operational excellence, guest and staff welfare, and collaborative coordination with Jamaican authorities, Royalton strengthens the island’s foundation for resilient, high-standard tourism growth.

As Jamaica’s tourism recovery gathers momentum, the anticipation for a revitalized, world-class hospitality offering in 2026 continues to grow, ensuring that the island remains one of the Caribbean’s most desired, and safeguarded, destinations for years to come.

Image Credit: Royalton Resorts