S Hotel to build 60 homes for residents displaced by Hurricane Melissa

S Hotel Jamaica — one of the country’s most celebrated, award-winning boutique resorts — has rolled out a major humanitarian initiative to support recovery efforts in western Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. The hotel has committed more than $21 million to construct 60 one-bedroom homes for families who lost everything, with the goal of getting as many units occupied as possible before Christmas.

The project, called “S for Shelters,” is being led by the Montego Bay property as part of its broader mission to contribute meaningfully to national rebuilding. Known for its luxury offerings, world-class spa, and repeated recognition on international “Best Hotels” lists, S Hotel is now leveraging its brand strength, resources, and staff expertise to deliver rapid relief on the ground.

Hotel manager and brand ambassador Andres Cope said the initiative grew out of emotional messages the hotel received from loyal guests, many of whom were concerned about the storm’s impact.

“This initiative is very important to us… We really want to ensure that Jamaicans, especially with Christmas fast approaching, have a roof over their heads,” Cope said.

Construction of the homes — each a sturdy 10×12 unit built from lumber — is taking place at an impressive pace. Workmen were completing two structures in the hotel’s car park on Tuesday as part of an assembly-line approach that allows teams to build two to three houses per day.

So far, three houses have been delivered: two in Hartford, Westmoreland, and one in Black River, St. Elizabeth. Additional units are already underway. Recipients are identified through reports from S Hotel employees who live in affected communities and personally know families in urgent need, including vulnerable individuals who lost their homes entirely.

S Hotel Projects Manager Tardo Nelson said the units are durable and expected to last a decade or more with proper care.

“We forecast that they can last about 10 years or more… This one is also a much stronger and sturdy house than most of the regular board houses that you normally see around the place,” Nelson said, noting that the hotel’s projects team has become highly efficient, able to complete two houses within 24 hours.

The initiative also reflects the hotel’s broader corporate ethos. As a Jamaican-owned, internationally lauded property, S Hotel has consistently positioned itself as more than a luxury resort — prioritizing cultural preservation, community partnerships, and authentic engagement with Jamaica’s social landscape. “S for Shelters” builds on this foundation, demonstrating what strong private-sector leadership can look like in times of national crisis.

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As the holiday season approaches, the S Hotel team says it remains committed to delivering as many homes as possible, ensuring that families across western Jamaica can begin rebuilding with dignity and security.