Sandals Emerald Bay to be converted into Beaches Exuma

Luxury all-inclusive Caribbean specialist, Sandals^*, has announced it will close Sandals Emerald Bay^* in The Bahamas in August 2024.

The famous swimming pigs of Exuma, Bahamas - photo courtesy of Sandals Resorts

The temporary closure will enable a complete refurbishment of the property before it reopens as the family-friendly Beaches Exuma^*. The opening date for this is yet to be revealed.

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Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines to open in 2024

Sandals has announced that its latest super chic resort is due to open on 27 March 2024 in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

This plush Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines^* resort is located in the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles just south of St Lucia and marks the company's eighteenth property in its ninth Caribbean location.

Located in the capital Kingstown, the property was previously the Buccament Bay Spa & Resort, which closed in 2016 and has since had a complete overhaul.

The 50-acre resort includes 301 rooms of varying categories^* including the exclusive two-bedroom butler villas, which Sandals claims will be the most spacious yet.

Guests can choose from 17 restaurants and bars and enjoy five swimming pools, tennis courts, sports, snorkelling, day trips and the signature Red Lane spa.

Sandals to expand suite options at Halcyon Beach & Beaches Negril

Sandals has announced that it is expanding two of its properties with new accommodation options which can now be booked for stays from 6 April 2023.

Sandals Halcyon Beach^* in St Lucia will benefit from 25 new butler suites taking the total room capacity to 194.

These will include 20 Joli Beachfront Suites^*, built right on the water's edge with access directly onto the beach as well as with private pools. There will also be five new Koko Rondoval Villas^*, with their all-natural feel, rounded walls, thatched roofs and private patio complete with a plunge pool.

Meanwhile, over at Beaches Negril^* in Jamaica, there will be 12 new suites, bringing its total room count to 197.

These will include six Firesky Reserve Villas^* right on the beach, which will be able to accommodate up to 10 people. Each will see well-appointed living areas, stylish kitchens, private plunge pools and sea-view dining terraces.

Then there will be the six new Eventide Penthouse Collection^* suites, which will accommodate up to 18 people each. There will be a kitchen, living area, balcony and terrace in each.

There will also be the brand new Camp Sesame at Beaches Negril for kids from summer 2023.

Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, said: "Our guest experience drives everything we do, and these new suites are emblematic of our unrelenting move across the brands as we challenge ourselves to reimagine every facet of the business.

"We wanted to go beyond traditional luxury and these new suites are stunners; it's about design and amenities that make connecting with each other more comfortable and more fulfilling."

Sandals to open new resort in Jamaica in May 2023

Sandals has revealed details of its latest resort that's due to open in Jamaica^* in late spring 2023.

The new 260-room resort is, in fact, not new to Sandals. Formerly owned by the group, Sandals reacquired it in 2020 and it has undergone a major renovation, adding stylish new suites, restaurants, swimming pools and much, much more.

Located in Ocho Rios, the new Sandals Dunn's River^* is set to open its doors on 24 May 2023.

Adam Stewart, Sandals' Executive Chairman, worked on rejuvenating Sandals Dunn's River with is late father, the founder of Sandals, Butch Stewart. Stewart said, "This is his final masterpiece. He handpicked this location more than three decades ago for its white-sand coastline, breezes, azure waters and proximity to the archetypical Dunn's River Falls.

"It will serve not only to breathe new excitement into a corner of Jamaica loved and cherished by so many, but also set a new standard of luxury for tourism right here in our own backyard with a next-generation resort worthy of its nostalgic past."

Sandals to expand two resorts in St Lucia by early 2023

Sandals has announced plans to upgrade and expand two of its three resorts on the island of St Lucia^*.

The new developments, set to coincide with Sandals' 40th anniversary and the 30th anniversary since the company began operating on St Lucia, include changes to Sandals Halcyon Beach and Sandals Regency La Toc.

Sandals Halcyon Beach^* will benefit from 25 new rooms, which will be open from February 2023. These will include 20 beachfront villas and five super-luxe Rondoval suites.

Meanwhile, Sandals Regency La Toc^* will gain a completely new village concept comprised solely of 20 Rondonval suites, seven of which will have open-air rooftops, all built alongside the existing golf course.

Also due to open in 2023, these luxurious suites will be seen as a "resort within a resort" and all include butler service along with exclusive dining options.

Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart, said of the developments: "As we expand, we will grow from the top down. That means we lead with the development of suites, and here, Sandals is by far and away the most innovative resort company.

"Concepts such as our signature Skypool Suites with their infinity plunge pools that seem to blend in with the horizon, over-the-water bungalows with their incredible views and glass floors, and our Rondovals are all-suite categories that drive demand and generate the longest stays.

"That is good news for St Lucia and good news for team members who train and earn the butler role."

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