Reopening of Bahia Principe delayed by Hurricane Melissa, redundancies announced
Toriann Ellis / Our Today
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Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts has extended the closure of its Grand Jamaica property to December 1, 2026, a year beyond the original schedule, due to extensive damage and reconstruction delays caused by Hurricane Melissa.
The Spanish hotel chain says recovery across its Runaway Bay complex has been more difficult than expected, with technical assessments confirming that the 850-room Grand Jamaica requires a longer and more extensive renovation than originally planned.
While the Grand Jamaica faces a prolonged closure, Bahia Principe confirmed that its sister property, Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay, is slated to reopen on February 1, 2026—the first step in restoring operations at the complex.
An internal memorandum issued to employees on November 15 stated that the extended closures will trigger a redundancy exercise affecting staff at both hotels. The company said it will work with service providers to help employees secure alternative employment or counselling support, and will continue consultations with the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) to ensure transparency throughout the process.
Bahia Principe noted that the Grand Jamaica had already been marked for major renovation before the storm. However, the destructive impact of Hurricane Melissa—which caused severe damage across multiple parishes—has significantly shifted timelines and expanded the scope of required work.
Despite the delays, the company says it remains committed to Jamaica and will closely monitor reconstruction efforts, promising that the resort will reopen “fully renewed,” with upgraded facilities and an enhanced guest experience once the project is complete.
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