Growing Array of Jamaica Hotels this Winter

The Jamaica hotel scene is heating up this winter with a variety of new options for travelers, ranging from dormitory-type cottages to Hyatt's multimillion-dollar makeover of the former Ritz-Carlton and the debut of the Palace Resorts brand in February.

In all, more than 1,400 new or refurbished hotel rooms are being added to Jamaica's portfolio over the next few months, from well-known brands to newcomers and from adult-only resorts to ecofriendly hotels.

These developments are located in various resort areas and are aligned with the destination's overall strategy to broaden its appeal to consumers, according to Paul Pennicook, director of tourism.

"These new additions reinforce Jamaica's appeal as a tourism destination that continues to attract the best brands in the industry and provides travelers with an increasingly diverse menu of accommodations," he said.

Jack Sprat Shack at Jake's HotelHere's the latest:

• The 60-room Grand Port Royal Marina and Spa near Kingston, the former Morgan's Harbour Hotel, will undergo a $60 million rehab under new operators Lashmont Financial  Services, which took possession of the property in October 2013. The hotel is located on the archipelago leading to the historical town of Port Royal.

• Palace Resorts' Moon Palace Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios is the company's first resort outside of Mexico.

• The solar-powered Jack Sprat Shack at Jake's Hotel on Jamaica's south coast targets eco-conscious travelers and groups.

• Courtyard by Marriott is set to open a 130-room hotel in Kingston in 2015, the eighth Courtyard in the Caribbean.

• Following a renovation, the family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall and the adjacent adults-only Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall on the site of the former Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay are slated to open Dec. 10.

The two all-inclusive properties, owned and managed by Playa Hotels & Resorts, include more than 500 rooms, cascading pools, beach butler services, several restaurants, a spa and 24-hour suite services.

In other hotel news, Kevin Hendrickson is the new owner of the Wyndham Hotel in Kingston, the fifth property in his portfolio, which includes the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites, the Knutsford Court Hotel, all in Kingston as well as the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort in Montego Bay.

Source: Travel Weekly