MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—Hilton Worldwide has signed two Jamaican properties to Curio – A Collection by Hilton: Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa Runaway Bay, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, and Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa Ocho Rios, Curio – A Collection by Hilton. These properties mark Curio’s entrance into the Caribbean.
The signings were announced at a joint press conference including Dianna Vaughan, global head, Curio – A Collection by Hilton; the Honorable Dr. Kenneth Wykeham McNeill, minister of tourism and entertainment for Jamaica; Paul Pennicook, director of tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board; and representatives from the hotel ownership and management companies, Sagicor and Aimbridge Hospitality, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.
“Curio is individual, unique hotels like Jamaica is in the Caribbean,” said Vaughan at the press conference. “On behalf of Hilton, we’d like to welcome and reintroduce these two hotels as part of the Curio collection. When we were looking at growing this brand, we looked at not only the quality of the hotels, but also the connections to the local community: the places, the people, the energy.
“Surrounded by the natural beauty of Dunn’s River Falls and Mystic Mountain, the Jewel properties have long-been synonymous with the best of Jamaica’s nature and culture,” said Vaughan.
Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa Ocho Rios, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, is a premium Jamaican all-inclusive, adult-only resort located near to one of Jamaica’s top attractions—Dunn’s River Falls. The resort offers multiple dining options at The Jewel Dunn’s River ranging from the formal Platinum restaurant to the casual Aquamarina Beach Bar & Grill. Guests can also choose from a selection of bars, two of which allow guests to remain within the pool while sipping cocktails, and an Emerald Tree Lounge that lights up each night. Three buildings feature garden, mountain and ocean view rooms, with suites available as well as Concierge and Butler Services.
Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa Runaway Bay, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, is a completely redesigned, adult-only oceanfront retreat on Jamaica’s north coast featuring an all-inclusive health, spa and fitness theme. It has 210 rooms and 15 junior suites that have been refreshed with new bedding, modern furniture, bathrooms and state-of-the-art technology. Private balconies and patios have been added to guestrooms to allow the natural sunlight and beauty of the surrounding area to enter. Accommodations range from guestrooms to butler-service suites.
“Four short years ago, we quietly launched the Jewel brand. Since then, we have invested over $140 million in three more properties,” said Richard O. Byles, president and CEO, Sagicor Group Jamaica and chairman of Sagicor X Fund. “Alongside that growth are good occupancies, improving rates and an excellent track record of customer service… In this agreement, we keep our Jewel brand but have access to the Hilton booking platform. We’re still building our brand, but have the support of Hilton.”
“It brings us great pleasure to welcome this young global brand to our shores, which signals the continued confidence in our product offerings,” said McNeill. “As a destination, we are eager to attract more unique brands such as Curio – A Collection by Hilton, thereby increasing the number of upscale travelers looking for an unparalleled level of hospitality and distinctive experience.”