Hyatt Closes Eight Caribbean Resorts in Jamaica Until 2026 Following Hurricane Melissa’s Devastating Impact

The Caribbean hospitality industry faces one of its most significant disruptions in decades as Hyatt Hotels Corporation announces the temporary suspension of operations at eight all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. The closures, extending through January 31, 2026, come in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to strike the island since record-keeping began in 1851.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, as a catastrophic Category 5 storm with sustained winds reaching 185 mph and a central pressure of 892 millibars. This historic weather event represents the strongest hurricane to directly impact Jamaica in 174 years, surpassing the legendary Hurricane Gilbert from 1988, which previously held the record with Category 4 strength at 130 mph.

The storm’s devastating power was unprecedented. According to meteorological data, Melissa maintained Category 5 intensity for 36 consecutive hours, a feat matched by only four other hurricanes in the satellite era since 1969. The hurricane brought catastrophic flooding, with some areas of eastern Jamaica receiving up to 40 inches of rainfall, and mountainous regions experiencing wind speeds exceeding 200 mph.

The closure affects eight prominent properties within Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, all located in the Montego Bay area of western Jamaica. These luxury all-inclusive resorts represent a significant portion of Hyatt’s Caribbean portfolio:

Family-Friendly Resorts

• Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa – A premium family destination known for its comprehensive amenities and beachfront location
• Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall – Multi-generational resort featuring extensive dining options and entertainment
• Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa – Part of the Playa portfolio acquired by Hyatt earlier this year

Adults-Only Luxury Properties

• Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall – Sophisticated adults-only experience with premium services
• Secrets St. James Montego Bay – Upscale all-inclusive featuring gourmet dining
• Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay – Intimate luxury resort with exclusive amenities
• Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica – Boutique wellness-focused property

Lifestyle Resort

• Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa – Contemporary adults-only party atmosphere resort

All affected properties are located in Jamaica’s primary tourism corridor and represent various price points within Hyatt’s all-inclusive brand portfolio. None of Hyatt’s European Plan (EP) hotels in Jamaica were affected by the closures.

What This Means for Travelers

Hyatt has implemented comprehensive guest accommodation policies in response to the resort closures. Understanding these provisions is essential for anyone with existing or planned reservations.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

Guests with reservations at any of the eight affected properties through January 31, 2026, can cancel without penalty. The company has waived all cancellation fees for bookings made during this period. Travelers who prepaid for their accommodations will receive full refunds, typically processed within ten business days of cancellation.

For guests who were on property when Hurricane Melissa struck, Hyatt has waived room rates for those awaiting departure and provided comprehensive support during their extended stays. This humanitarian approach reflects the company’s commitment to guest welfare during crisis situations.

Rebooking Options and Alternatives

While these specific properties remain closed, Hyatt operates approximately 80 all-inclusive resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean as part of its Inclusive Collection. World of Hyatt members and affected travelers have numerous alternative destinations to consider, including properties in:

• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Multiple Dreams, Secrets, and Sunscape properties
• Cancun and Riviera Maya, Mexico – Extensive portfolio including new Hyatt Vivid locations
• Los Cabos, Mexico – Luxury options including upcoming Park Hyatt Los Cabos
• Aruba – The new Secrets Baby Beach Aruba (expected to open in 2025)

Travel advisors have been notified of the closures and are working with affected guests to rebook at comparable properties. According to information shared by Hyatt’s Regional Vice President for Latin America and the English-Speaking Caribbean, Irene Prado, the company remains committed to supporting both guests and local communities throughout the recovery process.

The decision to suspend operations until late January 2026 reflects the extensive damage assessment and rebuilding required following Hurricane Melissa’s historic impact. The company has announced it is conducting detailed evaluations of all affected properties to determine the full extent of physical damage.

The nearly four-month closure period allows for comprehensive damage evaluation, securing necessary permits, sourcing materials, and completing renovations to Hyatt’s exacting standards. Caribbean hurricanes often cause damage to critical infrastructure including:

• Roofing systems and exterior structures
• Electrical and HVAC systems
• Water treatment and distribution networks
• Landscaping and outdoor amenities
• Interior fixtures and furnishings

Industry experts suggest that the January 31, 2026, reopening date may be conservative, potentially allowing for gradual reopening as individual properties complete restoration work. Some resorts may become operational earlier if assessments reveal less extensive damage than initially anticipated.

The closure of these eight major resorts represents a significant economic impact for Jamaica’s western region. These properties collectively employ thousands of local residents and contribute substantially to the regional economy through direct employment, supplier relationships, and tourism spending.

Hyatt has committed to supporting its employees during the closure period and contributing to broader community recovery efforts. The company stated its focus remains on “supporting our colleagues and guests currently on property” while also “assisting local communities and contributing to Jamaica’s broader recovery efforts following this devastating weather event.”

Hurricane Melissa’s impact extends far beyond Hyatt properties, affecting Jamaica’s entire tourism infrastructure. The storm caused widespread devastation across the island, with particular severity in western parishes.

As of late October 2025, Jamaica faced significant infrastructure challenges:

• Power outages affecting more than 490,000 customers (72% of the island)
• Complete power loss in several parishes including St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and Hanover
• Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay reopened November 1 for limited commercial flights
• Extensive road damage from landslides and flooding
• Telecommunications disruptions affecting emergency coordination

The Jamaican government has mobilized comprehensive response efforts, with international assistance arriving from the United Kingdom, United States, China, and neighboring Caribbean nations. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described the recovery as a long-term process requiring substantial international support.

While Jamaica bore the brunt of Hurricane Melissa’s fury, other Caribbean destinations have taken notice. The storm subsequently impacted Cuba as a major hurricane and passed near the Bahamas, though with diminished intensity. Tourism officials throughout the region are reassessing hurricane preparedness protocols and infrastructure resilience.

Ironically, the Hurricane Melissa closures come during a period of aggressive expansion for Hyatt in the Caribbean and Latin America. The hotel giant has announced plans for more than 30 new property openings in the region through 2027.

In June 2025, Hyatt completed its acquisition of Playa Hotels & Resorts, adding 15 all-inclusive properties across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic to its portfolio. This transaction significantly expanded Hyatt’s Caribbean footprint and made the Inclusive Collection the world’s largest luxury all-inclusive portfolio.

The Playa acquisition included several of the properties now affected by Hurricane Melissa closures, including Dreams Rose Hall and Jewel Grande Montego Bay. These resorts had only recently transitioned to Hyatt’s operational systems when the hurricane struck.

Despite current challenges, Hyatt remains committed to Caribbean expansion with significant developments planned:

Jamaica

• Long-term commitment to rebuilding and enhancing affected Montego Bay properties
• Continued operation of unaffected properties in other regions

Other Caribbean Destinations

• Andaz Turks & Caicos at Grace Bay (expected 2026-2027)
• Grand Hyatt St. Lucia (planned opening)
• Secrets Baby Beach Aruba (expected 2025)
• Multiple property expansions in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Mexico

• Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo del Sol (expected 2025)
• Grand Hyatt Cancun Beach Resort (expected 2025)
• Park Hyatt Cancun (future opening)
• Thompson Puerto Vallarta and Monterrey locations

This development pipeline demonstrates Hyatt’s confidence in Caribbean tourism’s long-term viability despite short-term weather-related disruptions.

Hurricane Melissa’s historic intensity has reignited discussions about climate change impacts on Caribbean tourism infrastructure. The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has proven exceptionally active, with Melissa representing the third Category 5 storm of the year, following Hurricanes Erin and Humberto.

Meteorological data reveals concerning patterns. The 2025 season marks only the second time on record that the Atlantic has experienced more than two Category 5 hurricanes in a single year, with 2005 being the previous occurrence (Hurricanes Emily, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma). Scientists attribute increasing storm intensity to warmer ocean temperatures, which provide more energy for hurricane development and enable storms to produce heavier rainfall.

While climate change is not expected to increase the total number of hurricanes annually, research indicates that storms forming in warmer oceans will likely be more intense and produce more extreme precipitation. This trend poses significant challenges for Caribbean destinations heavily dependent on tourism revenue.

The hospitality industry is responding to these climate realities through various strategies:

Infrastructure Hardening

• Enhanced building codes requiring Category 5-resistant construction
• Improved drainage systems to manage extreme rainfall
• Backup power generation and water treatment capabilities
• Storm surge barriers and coastal protection measures

Operational Preparedness

• Advanced early warning systems and evacuation protocols
• Comprehensive insurance coverage for business interruption
• Flexible cancellation policies for guest protection
• Employee training for emergency response

Diversification

• Developing properties across multiple Caribbean islands to spread risk
• Creating inland resort options less vulnerable to coastal impacts
• Expanding shoulder season operations to reduce hurricane season dependency

Hyatt’s experience with Hurricane Melissa will likely inform industry-wide best practices for future storm preparedness and recovery operations.

For travelers planning Caribbean vacations, Hurricane Melissa’s impact offers important lessons about risk management and travel planning.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity typically occurring from mid-August through October. Travelers seeking to minimize weather risk should consider:

• December through April – Prime dry season with minimal hurricane risk
• May and November – Shoulder season with reduced rates and lower storm probability
• June through October – Hurricane season with significant weather variability

However, as Melissa demonstrated with its late-October Category 5 landfall, tropical systems can threaten the Caribbean even during traditionally lower-risk periods.

Smart travelers can mitigate weather-related disruptions through several strategies:

Travel Insurance

• Comprehensive coverage including trip cancellation, interruption, and delay
• “Cancel for any reason” (CFAR) policies providing maximum flexibility
• Medical evacuation coverage for hurricane-related injuries or displacement

Flexible Booking Policies

• Properties offering free cancellation within specified windows
• Loyalty programs providing rebooking flexibility
• Credit card benefits including trip cancellation protection

Destination Diversification

• Consider booking multiple shorter trips rather than one extended vacation
• Research alternative destinations with similar attractions
• Monitor extended weather forecasts before finalizing travel dates

Checking Resort Status Before Travel

Before departing for any Caribbean destination, travelers should verify:

1. Current property status – Confirm the resort is operational and not undergoing storm repairs
2. Airport accessibility – Verify commercial flight operations at destination airports
3. Regional infrastructure – Research power, water, and road conditions
4. Weather forecasts – Monitor tropical weather systems up to departure date
5. Government advisories – Check for travel warnings or restrictions

Supporting Jamaica’s Recovery Efforts

As Jamaica embarks on its long recovery from Hurricane Melissa, international support plays a crucial role in rebuilding tourism infrastructure and local communities.

How Visitors Can Help

Future travelers to Jamaica can contribute to recovery efforts through several approaches:

Economic Support

• Continuing to visit unaffected areas of Jamaica, supporting local businesses
• Booking future stays at affected properties once they reopen
• Purchasing Jamaican products and services to support the economy

Direct Assistance

• Donating to reputable relief organizations working in Jamaica
• Supporting community-focused tourism initiatives
• Engaging with local artisans and businesses during visits

Responsible Tourism

• Respecting rebuilding efforts and avoiding disaster tourism
• Following guidance from local authorities about safe travel areas
• Understanding service limitations during recovery periods

The Caribbean Tourism Organization has coordinated relief efforts across affected nations, working with member states to facilitate recovery and eventual return to normalcy.

Hyatt’s decision to temporarily close eight Caribbean resorts following Hurricane Melissa represents both the immediate impact of an historic natural disaster and the hospitality industry’s commitment to thorough recovery. The January 31, 2026, target reopening date provides time for comprehensive damage assessment, quality repairs, and ensuring guest and employee safety.

For travelers, this situation underscores the importance of flexible booking policies, comprehensive travel insurance, and understanding seasonal weather patterns when planning Caribbean vacations. While Hurricane Melissa’s unprecedented power disrupted thousands of travel plans, the affected properties will eventually reopen with enhanced infrastructure and renewed commitment to guest experiences.

Jamaica’s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience following previous hurricanes and natural disasters. The island’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality remain unchanged despite Hurricane Melissa’s devastating passage. As reconstruction progresses over coming months, Jamaica will welcome visitors back to experience the destination that has captivated travelers for generations.

For those with affected reservations, Hyatt’s customer service teams are available through the company’s Global Contact Center and property-specific email addresses. World of Hyatt members can also access support through the loyalty program’s dedicated channels.

The road to recovery will be long, but with international support, strategic rebuilding efforts, and the determination of Jamaica’s people, the affected Montego Bay resorts will eventually reopen to create new memories for future generations of travelers.

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