Over J$5 billion being pumped into Excellence expansion
Published:Tuesday | February 10, 2026 | 12:15 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Luxury Resort Excellence Oyster Bay, in keeping with its long-term commitment to Jamaica, has announced a massive US$25-million (J$4.02-billion) expansion programme, alongside a further US$8-million (J$1.28-billion) investment in staff accommodation and welfare, for its Trelawny property.
The announcement was made by Excellence’s Chief Executive Officer Antonio de Montaner during a tour of the Falmouth, Trelawny property with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and a delegation of senior tourism officials on Sunday. It comes weeks after the resort reopened on December 15 following US$15 million (J$2.4 billion) in damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.
De Montaner said the expansion will see the addition of 50 new ultra-luxury villas by the end of this year, building on the success of five villas already in operation. The new villas will offer a highly exclusive experience, including private butler service and 24-hour personalised attention.
“It’s another step for us, and another step for Jamaica,” he said, noting that demand for high-end, private accommodation continues to grow.
Despite the hurricane setback, the resort is already recording occupancy levels above 60 per cent, a recovery de Montaner described as “very hard” to achieve so soon after a major weather event. He added that 40 per cent to 42 per cent of guests are repeat visitors, a loyalty rate that mirrors Jamaica’s national tourism performance.
Bartlett welcomed the investment, describing the visit as part of the Government’s ongoing effort to roll out fully restored tourism assets and demonstrate that Jamaica’s recovery is not only on track, but accelerating.
“This is not just about reopening,” the minister said. “It is about expansion, development, and sending a signal to the world that Jamaica is recovering stronger, better, and with more exciting experiences for visitors.”
WORKFORCE ESSENTIAL
Central to that recovery, both men stressed, is the tourism workforce. De Montaner confirmed that Excellence will complete 60 on-site staff rooms by year end, with further phases planned as the resort and surrounding developments expand. The broader US$8-million staff investment will also include recreational and support facilities aimed at improving quality of life for workers.
“The most important thing for us is the employees,” Montenegro said. “You can build a beautiful hotel, but without good, well-trained and comfortable staff, the business doesn’t work.”
He added that no workers were laid off during the post-hurricane closure, describing the decision as non-negotiable for the company.
Bartlett said the staff accommodation initiative aligns with the Government’s wider push to place workers at the centre of tourism growth, pointing to more than J$1 billion already committed under the Tourism Opportunities Programme to assist with housing repairs for industry employees. He said the aim is to reach 5,000 workers by the end of the programme.
Looking ahead, de Montaner also revealed plans to introduce Finest, the group’s family-oriented brand, to the Oyster Bay area, targeting an opening between late 2028 and early 2030. Over the next decade, Excellence is projecting additional hotel developments in the wider Trelawny, Falmouth corridor that could add up to 2,000 rooms.
Bartlett said such investments reinforce Jamaica’s appeal to global investors, particularly given the island’s strong repeat-visit rate.
“When you wake up knowing that more than 40 per cent of last year’s visitors are coming back, that makes Jamaica a very exciting destination for investment,” he said.
As Jamaica continues to rebuild after Hurricane Melissa, Bartlett said the message to visitors and investors alike is clear.
“Coming back to Jamaica will not be the same as before. We are bigger, more exciting, and more alluring, and hospitality is in our DNA.”