Nearly a year after Hurricane Melissa affected tourism properties across parts of Jamaica, villas on the island are welcoming travelers again. Local staff, from chefs to butlers, are once again serving guests. Villas are one part of a wider tourism recovery across the island.
Jamaica Villas dates to 1985 and began as a project to renovate a home-away-from-home. It now rents fully staffed villas in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. “Jamaica is not waiting for travelers to come back; they are already returning,” said Nicky Farquharson, the company’s guest arrival concierge manager.
About 70% of Affected Rooms Are Back
Phillip Rose, Jamaica’s deputy director of tourism for the Americas, said the island has recovered about 70% of the tourism rooms Hurricane Melissa affected. Rose spoke Sept. 14 at the Jamaica Product Exchange in Ocho Rios.
Rose said over 11,000 more rooms will return between 2026 and 2027, which he called “a remarkable feat.” He said the remaining 30% will open early in 2027.
Rose expects the recovery to keep growing through the rest of 2026, with several properties reopening before and during the winter tourist season. He also said just over 1,900 rooms will come back in December and about 3,500 more in the first quarter of 2027.
4 Villas From Hillside to Beachfront
Privately owned villas in Jamaica have local staff, including chefs, housekeepers, butlers, drivers and other hospitality professionals. Four of the luxury villas in the Jamaica Villas portfolio sit in different parts of the island. The company said each villa supports the local communities around it.
- Windsong in Montego Bay is a private hillside retreat with ocean views and tropical gardens.
- Buttonwood Reef in Ocho Rios sits directly on the water and offers a spacious setting for families and larger groups.
- Breakaway Villa in Runaway Bay has a private beachfront setting and amenities for families and groups.
- Fortlands Point on the Beach in Discovery Bay sits on a peninsula, and Caribbean waters surround it.
Farquharson said what the company sees across its villa portfolio is “a destination that is moving forward,” with villa owners and local teams “investing in their properties.” The company also said returning guests support the people and businesses behind the villa experience, including hospitality professionals and service providers.
If you’re planning a trip, ask a travel advisor which villas and hotels are open for your dates. Travelers can also reach Jamaica Villas through its website.