Riu sets mid-December target for Jamaica properties reopening

Riu Hotels & Resorts will reopen all seven of its Jamaican properties by December 15, 2025, following Hurricane Melissa, with charter flight operations from Canada, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands resuming through Sunwing and TUI.

The Riu Ocho Rios has remained open throughout the recovery period and has restored full services. 

The Riu Montego Bay reopened on November 23, and the Riu Palace Jamaica reopened on November 24. 

The four remaining properties—Riu Reggae, Riu Negril, Riu Palace Tropical Bay and Riu Palace Aquarelle—have tentative opening dates scheduled between November 30 and December 15, 2025.

Riu's operational and technical team began cleaning and repair work days after the hurricane passed. 

The main challenges involved restoring water and electricity services, which are now functioning at all properties.

The company reports it has mobilized $1 million USD in relief efforts, with 80% allocated directly to staff. 

This includes $570,000 USD for materials to reconstruct employees' homes and $230,000 USD for immediate aid packages with basic necessities. 

An additional interest-free credit line of $1.3 million USD has been made available to employees.

The remaining 20% of the aid fund is being allocated to Jamaican communities. 

In collaboration with the Jamaica Basic School Foundation, RIU has donated $200,000 USD in humanitarian aid to deliver 1,750 support packages to isolated communities. 

The company has also partnered with World Central Kitchen to prepare and distribute more than 7,000 meals daily from Negril and Montego Bay to affected communities.

Riu operates seven hotels in Jamaica across Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Falmouth, totaling more than 4,000 rooms and 4,000 employees.

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