Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

The new Riu Montego Bay. These rooms overlook the spectacular swimming pool and sit on top of three of the resort's restaurants. - Photo by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

Reporting one of its most impressive openings in the most difficult month to fill hotel rooms in Jamaica, Riu Montego Bay says it will see a 45 per cent occupancy level during September.

The 681-room resort, threw its doors open on Friday, welcoming more than 300 guests from Europe, Canada, the United States and Jamaica on the weekend.

The group's local director of sales, Angella Bennett, confirmed, that there has been a lot of momentum and interest from tour operators to sell Riu's latest product. Among them are the highly regarded Go-Go Tours, Apple Vacations and The Mark Travel Corporation.

These US-based tour operators are complemented by Canada's Sunquest Vacations, a subsidiary of Thomas Cook North America.

Increased airlift

"In support of our inventory, we are anticipating increased airlift from Canada, Europe, and Latin America, to beef up the winter tourist season," Bennett said, adding that she was extremely optimistic about the chain's foray into the tourist capital, Montego Bay.

The new resort, brings to four, the number of resorts in the island by the Spanish chain, having constructed Riu Club Hotel and Riu Tropical Bay, in Negril and its three-year-old, 850-room Riu Ocho Rios, in the Garden Parish of St Ann.

"Jamaica is a very special island for us and Riu Montego Bay is a welcome addition to our family of resorts. Over the past seven years, we have invested more than US$425 million in Jamaica," stated Luis Riu, CEO of Riu Hotels and Resorts. "We invested $140 million in developing Riu Montego Bay and we think our guests will really enjoy the resort and exploring this beautiful part of Jamaica."

Shimmering beach

In harmony with the island's architecture, Riu Montego Bay lies along a shimmering beach surrounded by nearly 450 square feet of lush vegetation. The resort is located less than three miles from downtown, Montego Bay and approximately seven minutes from the Sangster International Airport.

The resort, an island oasis, offers a wide variety of activities and deluxe accommodation in a fabulous beach front setting, comprising 32 suites, ocean front, ocean view and garden view rooms.

In its centre sits a magnificent swimming pool, with an adjoining Jacuzzi. A fitness centre, two lit tennis courts, a 2,905 sq. ft conference room, which has the capacity to accommodate 120 people, a games room and a signature discotheque, tagged Pacha, are all embedded in the resort.

It is home to five bars, complemented by in-room mini bars and liquor dispensers, five restaurants, offering a main buffet, for show cooking, serving inter-national and local speciality, an Italian, Asian, grill and steakhouse.

One of the most spectacular areas on the property is the amphitheatre which holds up to 1,400 guests, and is the place for nightlife.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com