Luxury resorts pivot to wellness travel
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Luxury resorts internationally are retooling their offerings as travellers increasingly seek vacations that combine high-end leisure with structured wellness experiences, a trend highlighted this week by Forbes, which reports that wellness is becoming a core part of the modern luxury travel proposition rather than a niche add-on.
S Hotel Montego Bay has emerged as one of Jamaica’s most internationally recognised boutique properties, earning fresh attention following its recent naming as Best All-Inclusive Caribbean Resort for 2026 in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
The hotel has also secured high rankings in major international travel awards over recent years, including strong placements in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best and recognition from Condé Nast Traveler readers.
Located on Doctor’s Cave Beach, S Hotel has been cited by travel publications for consistently high service standards and a product offering that blends contemporary design with a relaxed Caribbean aesthetic, positioning it among Jamaica’s more competitive small luxury resorts.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, in responding to the latest round of international awards, said the continued recognition of Jamaican properties underscores the sector’s resilience and evolving competitiveness at a time when the industry is seeking to strengthen value-added offerings.
“This kind of recognition signals that Jamaican hotels are not only maintaining high service standards but are adapting to what today’s travellers are looking for,” Bartlett said.
He pointed to wellness tourism as an area of opportunity for Jamaica as the country works to diversify its tourism product and attract higher-value visitors.
READ: S Hotel Montego Bay named best all-inclusive Caribbean resort by USA Today
