HOWARD COOKE BOULEVARD, Montego Bay – DEVELOPERS have provided details about a hotel that will be part of the eagerly anticipated Harbour City Mall project in Montego Bay. In what is believed to be a first for Jamaica, the US$10-million shopping mall will also offer accommodations.

“One of the major highlights of Harbour City Mall is that we have a hotel inside the mall, Sky Harbour Hotel. It is a 10-suite hotel which is located also on the waterfront, on the top level,” Harbour City Mall Managing Director Zhiqiang King Lu told Jamaica Observer West.

“I believe it is the first of its kind; and the view, it’s an unparalleled view,” he gushed.

Lu said the idea to include a hotel in the project evolved over time.

“This idea didn’t come up all at once. It was an idea that was contributed to by various stakeholders, friends and so on. Things have changed gradually,” he told Observer West.

In response to questions about whether the project had to receive additional approval from the local authorities, Deputy mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon explained that the hotel was included in plans originally submitted.

“The entire development was approved to include a number of suites on the building,” he said on Tuesday.

The hotel, which will welcome both locals and visitors, will include the mall’s offerings among its amenities.

“Of course, fine dining is also a major highlight. We have units located at the waterfront — gorgeous view. We have dedicated those locations for some of the fine dining experiences; we reserve that area for fine dining restaurants,” Lu explained.

Then there’s the much-touted shopping experience.

“Harbour City Mall will bring in additional brands to the city. We have over 50 brands coming to the mall including a supermarket, a trendy fashion store, and an essential pharmacy,” Lu stated.

Real estate listings, not yet updated to include mention of the planned hotel, describe Harbour City Mall as four blocks of spacious waterfront and highway units located at the intersection of Howard Cooke Highway and Market Street. Just 10 minutes’ drive from the heavily used Sangster International Airport, it will be an attractive option for airline passengers who want to stay in the heart of the western resort city.

The venue is within walking distance from Harmony Park, two minutes from Sam Sharpe Square, and about five minutes from Fairview Shopping Centre if traffic is not heavy.

Initially expected to provide 200 parking spaces, a highly valued commodity in congested Montego Bay, Lu said Harbour City Mall has also scaled up in terms of that amenity.

“We have two levels of parking on the rooftop which offers about 220 parking spaces. In addition to that, close to the mall we have another additional parking area which could house approximately another 150 vehicles. So, in total we have over 300 parking spaces available,” he said.

Meanwhile, there is still no word on the opening date for Harbour City Mall.

“We don’t have a date but very, very soon,” assured Lu.