Sandals Resorts International has announced its second property in Barbados, Sandals Royal Barbados. But that isn't the only headline Sandals has been making lately, from the announcement of new over-the-water bungalows in St. Lucia to a partnership with Marriott that will see the first AC Hotel developed in the Caribbean.
Get the details on these stories and more.
Original Barbados Expansion Now Deemed a New Hotel Build
Travel Agent told you about plans to expand the company’s Barbados property last year. In fact, ground has already broken to add an additional 222 rooms to the existing property.
However, according to Sandals Resorts chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, “After reviewing the scope of the project, we felt that expanding may compromise intimacy, essential to a romantic setting, and possibly service standards, so we established a management team dedicated exclusively to Sandals Royal Barbados and designed the new resort to complement Sandals Barbados, where in Sandals’ style - guests may ‘stay at one, but play at two.’”
Sandals Royal Barbados will offer 222 rooms, which will all be concierge and butler-level suites, including the brand’s signature Rondovals, Millionaire Butler Suites, and Skypool Suites, which include private Rolls Royce transfers to and from the airport, along with an extensive Crystal Lagoon Pool Complex including Swim-Up Suites. This all suite resort is available for booking now for stays beginning December 20.
Other amenities will include a full-service 13,000 square foot Red Lane Spa, four bars offering unlimited premium spirits and five of the brand’s signature dining establishments including American, French, Chinese-Japanese Fusion, Caribbean and Mediterranean cuisines.
The resort will also debut a 6,000 square-foot conference facility equipped with meeting aids such as a projector screen, microphone with stand, basic Internet and more.
Sandals’ Over-the-Water Bungalows in St. Lucia Open for Reservations
Meanwhile, Sandals also recently announced nine new Over-the Water Honeymoon Butler Bungalows at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, which are available to book now for travel beginning in May.
These new over-the-water bungalows in St. Lucia offer glass floor panels, a private outdoor “Tranquility Soaking Tub” for two, a king-size bed and over-water hammocks.
The bathrooms are equipped with his and hers sinks, a large backlit mirror adorned with mosaic tile, and a walk-in rain shower.
Outside, the private patio is also equipped with an extended sun deck, outdoor shower, sun loungers, and a bistro set for two. "Butler Elite" service, which handles every detail of the guest’s vacation with unobtrusive grace, and 24-hour room service are included.
Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas Opens Three New Restaurants
Sandals Emerald Bay recently announced it opened three new restaurants, bringing the total number of dining options at the resort in the Bahamas to 11.
The new restaurants include Bombay Club, the brand’s latest Indian restaurant concept offering a colorful setting inspired by India’s "Festival of Colors"; Kimonos, a lively Japanese restaurant where the chefs cook right in front of guests and Soy, a sushi bar restaurant amid the ambiance of cherry blossoms and a Japanese night sky.
According to Sandals Resorts CEO Adam Stewart, the company is reviewing restaurant concepts at all Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts.
“We’re excited to bring more '5-Star Global Gourmet' dining options to our guests in The Bahamas and are actively reviewing choices at all our resorts," Stewart said in a written release. "We want to present our guests with a choice of dining opportunities that not only exceed their expectations in terms of quality, but that are distinct, authentic and engaging."
Groundbreaking for New Sandals LaSource Saint Lucia to Commence in the Spring
Sandals Resorts International recently announced its plan to add a fourth resort to its list of properties on the Eastern Caribbean island.
Sandals announced that groundbreaking for the Sandals LaSource Saint Lucia, which will be located on 19 acres of land next to the existing Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Resort, is set to begin in the spring.
Sandals LaSource Saint Lucia will offer an exotic infinity-edge sky pool bar offering views of the island’s beautiful north coast, 350 rooms and suites inclusive of the exotic SkyPool Butler Suites and all-butler signature swim-up Rondoval Suites, a first in the chain.
The new resort will also feature an entertainment package to include a main stage with a 20-foot high LED screen and a mobile DJ party scene.
Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Resort will join the existing Sandals Regency La Toc, Sandals Halcyon and Sandals Grande Saint Lucian properties and bring Sandals’ room count in St. Lucia to more than 800.
Sandals, Marriott Partner to Bring AC Hotels to the Caribbean
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has announced a new partnership with Marriott International, Inc. to bring AC Hotels by Marriott to the Caribbean.
This is the first partnership between the hospitality companies and the first time SRI will manage a brand it did not create. Construction for the new AC Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, the partnership’s debut project, gets underway this month and is slated to open winter 2019.
According to Adam Stewart, the AC Kingston will offer 220 rooms, a 10,000-square foot conference center and full service restaurant.
Parking, often a challenge in Jamaica’s capital, will be plentiful with both valet and self-serve options. Plans call for the AC Kingston to be the centerpiece of an expansive, mixed-use development, located on the last five acres of prime Kingston real estate in the Jamaica House neighborhood, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Jamaica. It has been designed to attract both a local and international audience.
“There is a renewed energy in Kingston and everywhere the city trembles with purpose and productivity,” said Stewart in a written release. “We plan to capture this vitality, to create a destination within a destination, a place where world-class meetings and events happen alongside everyday occasions - from shopping and dining to salon services and cocktails with friends. With its emphasis on design and locally inspired experiences that elevate the guest’s stay, AC Hotels by Marriott is the right brand to bring our vision to life."
In addition to the new AC Kingston, development plans call for a modern BMW showroom, beauty and wellness salon, car rental facility and “The Avenue,” a promenade of indoor and outdoor event space and retail and dining outlets including a fine-dining sushi and seafood restaurant and a well-known coffee bar.
“The Avenue” will begin at the entrance and carry straight through to the conference center with staging areas along the way to accommodate planned and impromptu concerts.
Visit www.sandals.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all your latest travel news. Be sure to follow Travel Agent’s Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike and Instagram @pike5260.