Above: a rendering of the project

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Palace Resorts has launched its multimillion-dollar enhancement project on the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios.

The project will be the company’s first resort outside of Mexico.

The company said it was retaining all of its original employees, including longtime general manager Clifton Reader.

“The entire Palace Resorts team has been eager to expand our awe-inclusive offerings, and Moon Palace Jamaica Grande marks the first step in taking the company to the next level as a major force within the industry. We are confident this new and exciting property will redefine Jamaica’s hospitality landscape,” said Gibran Chapur, executive vice president of Palace Resorts. “The iconic property former known as Sunset Jamaica Grande has been a cherished treasure for guests from around the world for many years. We understand this is largely a testament to the resort’s phenomenal employees, and as the property evolves into Moon Palace Jamaica Grande, we embark on this transformation with the goal of preserving the original resort’s allure and capturing the spirit of the destination.”

The resort is slated to open in “early 2015,” according to the company, following an enhancement project that will include a new decor and the addition of a 35,000-square-foot “wellness sanctuary,” among other changes.