In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, one of Jamaica’s most storied resorts is preparing to reopen — not just to guests, but to a community still finding its footing.
Hopewell’s Round Hill Hotel and Villas will resume operations on Dec. 8 following a temporary closure, after the storm caused widespread disruption across western Jamaica. That will make it the first major resort to reopen in Jamaica since the storm, and ahead of Jamaica’s planned mid-December national tourism reopening.
This is a hotel I’ve stayed at countless times, and it remains one of my favorites — for its charm, its Ralph Lauren-designed rooms, and its marvelous distillation of the Jamaican soul into a hospitality experience. And did I mention the historic villas?
While the resort itself sustained only minor physical damage, surrounding areas in Hanover Parish suffered significant infrastructure and housing losses, prompting the hotel to pivot its operations toward relief and recovery.
In the days following the storm, Round Hill became something more than a resort. Under the guidance of Managing Director Josef Forstmayr, who has led the property for more than four decades, it turned into a vital support hub for its employees and neighbors. Kitchens that typically prepare gourmet meals for guests began serving more than 500 people each day — staff, their families, long-term contractors, and local first responders. Conference spaces and villas were repurposed as temporary housing for team members who lost their homes.
“Our staff is the heart of Round Hill,” said Forstmayr. “In times like these, hospitality must be about humanity. Taking care of one another is not only our responsibility, it is who we are.”
The storm’s impact across Hanover Parish was extensive, with localized flooding and road closures slowing the region’s recovery. For Round Hill, that meant supporting not just its 250 employees but the broader network of suppliers, maintenance crews, and artisans who rely on the resort year-round. Many of those individuals have spent decades tied to the property, which has operated as a cornerstone of Montego Bay’s hospitality scene since its founding in the 1950s.
To provide direct assistance, Round Hill’s Board of Directors launched an employee relief fund within days of the storm. The initiative, spearheaded by Chairman Stephen Lari, has drawn contributions from shareholders and longtime guests — a testament to the deep connection between the resort and its community. “As we begin the recovery process, we want to remind everyone that you are not alone,” Lari wrote in a letter to staff. “Our hotel family has always stood together through challenges, and this time is no different.”
Forstmayr and his team continue to coordinate closely with local authorities to restore full operations. Utilities and access roads have steadily improved, and the property expects to reopen all guest facilities on Dec. 8. For visitors planning winter travel to Jamaica, the reopening marks not just a return to service, but a moment of resilience for one of the Caribbean’s most enduring luxury resorts.
Round Hill’s recovery effort has underscored a broader truth about the Caribbean’s hospitality industry: that the same ethos of care and connection that defines guest service often extends far beyond the walls of the hotel.
Rooms at Round Hill start around
Karen Udler
2025-11-12 00:52:00