Officials of Moon Palace Jamaica Grande and the Palace Resorts family told members of the media and local business partners on Tuesday, March 24 about the property’s exciting new offerings.
The hotel has been in the news with many issues of work stoppage on their US$50 million rehabilitation of the property, smack in the middle of Ocho Rios. Though the press conference wasn’t about those issue, it was learnt that the company had re-engaged Icon as sub contractors and it was reported that wage issues would be settled as the final, finishing stage of construction gets underway.At a press conference held at Evita’s Restaurant in Ocho Rios, officials spoke about the attractions, job opportunities and the company’s philanthropic organization, the Palace Foundation. Following a multi-million dollar transformation of what was formerly the iconic Sunset Jamaica Grande, Moon Palace Jamaica Grande will boast more than 700 guestrooms and suites with oceanfront views of the Caribbean Sea. The opening date has not been set, because of repeated delays in the construction work.General manager of Moon Palace Jamaica Grande, Clifton Reader explained that reinvestment in workers and community involvement were a core part of the hotel’s focus. “Moon Palace decided to invest in training from the very beginning. Two hundred workers were taken from Jamaica and trained in Cancun, Mexico.” Mr. Reader also noted that a local chef, Dennis McIntosh will be an executive chef working with the team at Palace Resorts to aid with the infusion of Jamaican spices into other Palace hotels internationally.There was also mention of the philanthropic arm of the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande called the Palace Resorts Foundation. This foundation focuses on areas such as health, wellness education, environment and dreams and seeks to collaborate with local organizations including Dolphin Cove and the Jamaica Cancer Society. Funding in the sum of $250,000 was received initially from the Chapur family, who owns and operates seven of the leading resorts in Mexico. Additional funds were raised through the sale of furniture from the former Sunset Jamaica Grande. The foundation seeks to assist communities in and around the hotel environs and extends throughout Jamaica.
According to Kathy Halpern, vice president of sales and marketing at Palace Resorts, the opening date for the hotel has been pushed back and will be announced at a later date.
