Moon Palace Resort in Ocho Rios to Employ 1,200 Persons

The rehabilitated Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, could employ 1,200 persons when the facility is running at full capacity.

The 705-room hotel, which is being refurbished at a cost of US$200 million, is slated for a soft opening on 11.

Making the disclosure, Vice President of Playa Resorts Management, the parent company for Moon Palace Jamaica Grande, Gibran Chapur, told JIS News that the resort is very close to being completed and that bookings are being taken.

He said the company is very pleased that a date for the soft opening has finally been set, as the resort remains a work in progress. “It’s a project that will keep on improving, and we have many plans,” he added.

The former Sunset Jamaica Grande was taken over by the Mexico-based Moon Palace Resort in September 1, 2014.

Meanwhile, General Manager of Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa, Mr. Clifton Reader, said the company has so far employed over 500 workers, which will be increased to 1,200 when the property is at full occupancy.

Mr. Reader also pointed out that Moon Palace has established a Foundation to address some of the needs of its team members and the communities that serve the resort.

“The Foundation will be set up to help team members in problems and it will help the communities around the hotel and Jamaica as well. We committed US$250,000 to start the Foundation. Also, we sold every piece of furniture in the (original) 730 rooms plus lobby furniture and those funds (US$60,000) were donated to the Foundation,” he said.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill and representatives of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) toured the hotel on June 18.