Bahia Principe is reopening its Runaway Bay all-inclusive on Jamaica’s north coast on December 1, under a new name. The 647-room property, formerly Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica, will operate as Bahia Principe Explore Jamaica after a renovation that the company says took about one year. The details below come from the company’s announcement as reported by Caribbean Journal on November 7, 2026.

What has been announced

According to that report, the work covered guest rooms and suites, public areas, restaurants, and the recreation and entertainment spaces. Bahia Principe has not, in the material reported, published a room by room breakdown of what changed, so anyone with specific needs, such as a room near the pool, a connecting room or step-free access, should ask the resort directly before booking.

The resort lists three swimming pools, a water park, a kids club and seven restaurants, including Italian, Mongolian and Route 66 themed venues alongside casual options. The activity programme includes Jamaican patois classes, dance classes, live music, a production called “Xaymaca The Show”, beach parties, karaoke, sports, a bike tour and creative activities for children. Bahia Principe also says the reopening will bring back about 1,000 jobs in Runaway Bay, a meaningful figure for a small coastal community.

What the new name signals

The “Explore” label is how Bahia Principe designates its family and group resorts. A separate “Escape” label is used for resorts aimed at adults seeking a quieter stay. That distinction is useful for booking, because it tells you what to expect from the atmosphere: a resort with a kids club, a water park and a busy entertainment schedule is a family property by design, and it will feel different from an adults-only hotel. Our guide to what adults-only means inside a family complex explains why the label on a resort matters, and the comparison between family and adults-only formats is covered in our related planning material.

The company is also part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection through a joint venture between Hyatt and Pineiro, according to the same report, and the renaming is described as part of a wider reorganisation of the Bahia Principe portfolio. If you hold World of Hyatt points, check the programme terms for eligibility at this specific property and for the dates you want, since earning and redemption conditions can differ by resort and period.

The wider Jamaica recovery

The reopening follows Hurricane Melissa in 2025, which damaged much of Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure. The Jamaica Tourist Board projects that 90 percent of the island’s hotel room inventory will be available by December 1, according to the Caribbean Journal report, which links that figure to a separate article on the winter flights and resort reopenings. That is a projection rather than a confirmed count, so treat it as an indicator of direction, and check each individual resort’s own announcements for dates and facilities.

For context on other north coast and west coast resorts, our destination pages on Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril outline how the island’s regions differ. Runaway Bay sits between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, which makes it a reasonable base for travellers who want access to both areas, though transfer times depend on the airport you use and the traffic on the north coast road.

What to check before you book

• Opening status. New and reopened resorts often open in phases. Ask which restaurants, pools and the water park will be running on your dates.
• The introductory offer. Bahia Principe is promoting discounts of up to 50 percent. Read the conditions, including the booking window, travel window, blackout dates and cancellation terms, before you commit. Our guide on how resort cancellation and refund policies work shows what to look for.
• Room type. Ask what each category includes and where it sits on the site. Our guide to what resort room category names actually mean can help you read the descriptions.
• Total cost. Confirm taxes, fees and what is included in the all-inclusive plan, including premium drinks and à la carte dining.
• Transfers. Check which airport is closest and how the resort arranges pickups.

Our view

For families who want a large resort with a water park and structured activities, a fully refurbished Runaway Bay property is a useful addition to Jamaica’s winter choices, and the early opening discount may make it an attractive option for travellers who are comfortable booking a resort that is only just returning. The sensible caution is the same as for any reopening: independent guest feedback will not exist yet, so rely on the company’s published facts, ask specific questions, and keep your booking flexible if you can. We will update our coverage when more details, such as a full room breakdown or confirmed phasing, are published.