Hurricane Melissa left a large swath of Jamaica in tatters, but much of its tourist infrastructure is either back online or quickly making its way to re-opening better and stronger than ever. Case in point, three beloved icons: Jake’s Hotel in Treasure Beach, The Tryall Club in Montego Bay and .
The Social Heart of Jamaica’s South Coast
Jakes Hotel on Jamaica’s south coast has reopened following repairs from Hurricane Melissa, which passed through the area in late October. Happily, Treasure Beach was largely spared heavy damage, allowing this well-known property to return with 30 accommodations and four suites undergoing final enhancements. The Henzell family continues to lead restoration and design projects, focusing on native plantings and sustainable land improvements.
Established by Sally Henzell, the late filmmaker Perry Henzell’s wife, the hotel was originally built with local labor and salvaged materials, shaping a creative and personal aesthetic that still defines it. Jakes has long been a gathering place for writers, filmmakers and locals drawn to its open community, and the on-site Jack Sprat Bar & Restaurant remains a hub for local seafood and relaxed evenings.
The property’s community involvement continues through BREDS The Treasure Beach Foundation, founded by Jason Henzell in 1998. BREDS has raised over $5 million since its inception and recently secured $400,000 in post-storm funding for education, environmental, and youth initiatives. The surrounding area’s literary heritage endures through the Calabash International Literary Festival, co-founded by Justine Henzell, bringing global authors to Treasure Beach every two years. This reopening marks a steady return for the south coast. The property is about 2.5 hours by car from Kingston, offering a quiet, lived-in Jamaica distinct from larger resort areas.
For more information, visit jakeshotel.com.
Welcome back to Luxury at The Tryall Club
The Tryall Club is welcoming guests back to its 2,200-acre property near Montego Bay. More than 70 percent of the Club’s private villas are now open, with the remainder undergoing final touches. All core facilities, including the beach, pro shop, tennis complex, kids club, spa, fitness center and restaurants, have resumed operations. The golf course is open, with only minor adjustments to the fourth hole, while restoration continues at the Great House.
“From the moment the hurricane passed, I was on the ground with our team checking in, listening, and working side by side to begin the recovery,” said Managing Director Kenton Jones in a press statement. “Reopening Tryall was never just about restoring buildings; it was about restoring a sense of home and continuity for our guests, our staff, and the wider community. The dedication and resilience I’ve seen from our team over the past weeks has been extraordinary, and we are incredibly proud to welcome our Tryall family back.”
The rebuilding effort was guided by safety and sustainability standards, with the team conducting detailed inspections and cleaning throughout the property. The winter season continues as scheduled, with holiday programming that includes Christmas Reggae Night, Santa’s Arrival and the New Year’s Eve Sparkling Soiree. The Tryall Fund remains active in supporting the community by securing food, clean water, supplies and construction materials, with 100 percent of contributions going directly toward local recovery initiatives.
Of note: Sangster International Airport (MBJ) remains open with normal transport service to the resort.
For more information, visit tryallclub.com.
Sunset at the Palms is Back and Better than Ever
Sunset at the Palms in Negril, Jamaica, an adults-only, all-inclusive resort, has restored full utilities, reopened its dining venues and reactivated leisure programs. Known for its treehouse-style design, Sunset at the Palms offers 85 guest rooms surrounded by gardens near the beach and pool area. Winter visitors continue to find daytime temperatures hovering in the mid-80s F, a consistent draw for travelers seeking tropical conditions during colder months back home.
The resort reported no major structural damage from the storm, though several palms and portions of its landscaping were lost. Over the past month, staff have completed cleanup and replanting work, joined by the property’s resident goats—regular fixtures around the grounds—as the team prepared for reopening. The downtime also gave employees a chance to focus on their own household and community needs while Jamaica began repair efforts across affected regions. Inquiries from returning and prospective guests have focused on helping recovery projects connected to the resort.
Sunset at the Palms has set up an online fund supporting staff and community initiatives and continues to welcome future bookings for 2026 travel. The boutique property, set among tropical foliage, operates as a quiet escape with Caribbean cuisine, a private beach and personal service.
For more information, visit thepalmsjamaica.com.
