Prime Minister Hails Mobay’s S Hotel as the ‘Dawn Of A New Era’

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the new S Hotel in Montego Bay, St. James, represents the “dawn of a new era” for the city’s business community.

Mr. Holness, who was speaking at the hotel’s opening on January 27, said he was confident that the establishment will enhance Montego Bay’s status as a resort city and Jamaica’s tourism capital.

“This is another significant investment. This demonstrates a certain level of confidence [and] a certain level of buoyancy…that can only lead to bigger and better things that will not only boost the businesses in the area, but will also have a trickle-down effect that will positively impact the lives of the people of St. James,” he stated

Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Winston Lawson, who echoed similar sentiments, said the S Hotel’s European Plan (EP) model is tailor-made for the entertainment atmosphere synonymous with Gloucester Avenue, popularly called the ‘Hip Strip’, where the resort is located.

He praised the hotel’s management for incorporating the model, citing the potential “seamless spin-offs and benefits to the surrounding communities and attractions”.

“It is with great pleasure that we officially welcome them as part of the business and general community of Montego Bay. The fact that it is an EP model where the guests will be in such close proximity to the entertainment offerings of the ‘Strip’ will certainly bode well for businesses in the area. These are exciting times for Gloucester Avenue,” the Chamber President added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lawson said the resort’s opening coincides with plans to revitalise Gloucester Avenue, which he noted has been identified as a prime location for investments in developing Jamaican-owned and operated hotels offering EP packages.

The Hip Strip, which has been declared Montego Bay’s official entertainment centre, boasts several notable establishments.

These include: the Coral Cliff Gaming Lounge, 2727 Ganja Café, Doctor’s Cave Beach, Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records, Margaritaville, and now the S Hotel.

The new resort, formerly Breezes Montego Bay, was off the market for a decade, following its closure in 2009.

It was sold by joint owners, NCB Staff Pension Fund and the State-operated National Insurance Fund, to hotelier Christopher Issa, owner of the Crissa Group, in 2011.

For his part, prominent Montego Bay businessman, Mark Hart, described the property’s renovation and transformation as an architectural masterpiece.

“We the citizens of Montego Bay are truly grateful for this development. A lot of work and thought was clearly put into this project and we are very confident that this will be a tremendous success for the operators. This will undeniably be the place to be on the Strip,” he said.

The 120-room S Hotel features spa suites, lounges, and a private pool for the fifth and sixth floors, a sky deck, and pool bar.