Newly designed rooms reflect the new spirit at Beaches Ocho Rios Resort.
Sandals Resorts International made waves in October with the announcement that it had purchased the new Couples Resort in Barbados that had just opened in June. But it wasn’t the only splash the all-inclusive giants made this year. Travel Agent breaks down a busy year for Sandals, including new resorts, expansions and renovations.
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Expanding to Barbados: Just last month, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) and the Government of Barbados reached an agreement following months of negotiations whereby the resort company would open the former Couples in St. Lawrence under the Sandals flag as well as manage a new Beaches hotel on the island.
Sandals Barbados, which opened earlier this month, has a selection of 280 luxury accommodations, ranging from beachfront suites to guest rooms in the lush tropical garden. The brand new Beaches resort will be built on the site of the former Almond Beach Resort in St. Peter.
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Sandals LaSource Grenada: Sandals Resorts International will be expanding to another new island in the Caribbean on December 12 when it officially opens Sandals LaSource Grenada, formerly LaSource, which officially closed its doors last year due to lingering financial woes.
The best rooms at the resort will be the Skypool Suites, Millionaire Suites and Rondoval Suites. For the best views, however, clients should look no further than the ocean-view Skypool Suites, which give outstanding views of the Caribbean Sea and come with large balconies, lounge chairs, dining tables and soaking tubs. Private butler service is available in 75 of the Butler Suites, which are found among the Millionaire, Rondoval and Skypool Suites.
Beaches Turks and Caicos: A fourth village opened at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa in May, the first major expansion since the grand opening of the resort’s Italian Village in 2009. The new Key West Luxury Village offers more than 150 rooms, suites and villas, three additional gourmet restaurants, private pools and more.
Beaches Ocho Rios Facelift: Formerly Beaches Boscobel, Beaches Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club rang in 2013 with a new name and a new look, and we can say with certainty that this is a great spot for both kids and adults. The $30 million renovation unveiled four distinct villages, additional restaurants, and more.
The Greek Village is one of the four neighborhoods to debut at the resort. It sits on a hill with 59 rooms overlooking the resort’s private beach. True to Greek architecture, the buildings are whitewashed and lined with cobalt blue. The other villages are French, Italian and Caribbean.
An enhanced children’s program brings kids camps, the Pirates Island Waterpark and kid-friendly scuba programs. New hangouts for teens and tweens also bring an extra level to the experience. The hangouts will include XBOX Play Lounge, Scratch DJ Academy, Trench Town, and a crafts studio.