By Alexander Britell

A game-changing resort has opened its doors in Jamaica.

Set on a private cove in the heart of Montego Bay, the beautiful Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa officially debuted this week as a new kind of all inclusive resort in the Caribbean.

Indeed, Jewel Grande is the first all-suite, all-inclusive in Jamaica, with large, well-equipped rooms that are unique in the Caribbean — in other words, they’re the Caribbean’s first all-inclusive residences.

Even better? Every suite has butler service.

It all adds up to a property that immediately raises the bar for hotel design and all inclusive expectations in Jamaica, with a truly impressive design and the kind of luxurious feel that’s hard to find at many all inclusives in the Caribbean, right on a classic white sand beach.

A collection of three beachfront towers (along with 11 large villas), Jewel Grande has a total of 217 accommodation options, with a culinary offering that will include eight restaurants, meeting space totaling 25,000 square feet and one of the Caribbean’s most innovative spas.

The project is managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, which operates a portfolio of five hotels in Jamaica owned by X Fund Properties, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sagicor Real Estate X Fund Limited.

“This is the crown jewel of all of them,” said Rich Cortese, senior vice president of Caribbean operations at Aimbridge Hospitality.

And that’s clear from the moment you walk in — the build quality is exceptional, the design is modern but authentically Caribbean and the overarching feel is one of true luxury.

That’s in part due to the project’s roots as a condominium hotel, until it was transformed by Sagicor and Aimbridge, mostly in the last year.

And then there are the little touches: the lobby piano, the bluetooth charging stations in the bedrooms and, perhaps most welcome, guest bracelets that you can actually take on and off (and also function as the room key).

The impressive pool area.

“It is an honor to launch one of the most exciting luxury all-inclusive resort openings in the Caribbean,” said Aimbridge President and CEO Dave Johnson. “This bespoke beachfront location provides the ideal backdrop for our distinctive and curated experiences that are personalized for all of our guests. Unparalleled hospitality is our inspiration with the new Jewel Grande.”

The food and beverage options will soon total 12, from white-tablecloth venues to casual poolside bars to a French brasserie.

“Driven by Jamaica’s deeply rooted tradition of hospitality and cultural vibrancy, we wanted to deliver a sophisticated travel experience that’s uniquely our own,” said Rohan Miller, CEO of Sagicor Real Estate X Fund Limited. “That said, we’ve tailored all touchpoints throughout our all-inclusive journey to provide elevated relaxation infused with local charm.”

The spa, which boasts 30,000 square feet, is helmed by Jamaican yoga instructor (and founder of “Reggaelates”) Sienna Creasy, offering everything from traditional spa treatments to Jamaica’s only Himalayan Salt Halotherapy Lounge.

“This is one of the great resorts I’ve been able to be associated with,” Cortese said.

Of course, the story is really the massive rooms, from junior suites to three-bedroom units that are effectively villas, the sort of accommodations you simply don’t find at an all inclusive resort.

Until now.

It’s a new level of all inclusive in the Caribbean, and a new level of resort for Jamaica.

For more information, visit Jewel Grande.