On Site: Sandals Eyes Aruba, Grand Cayman

adam stewartMONTEGO BAY, Jamaica -- As part of our ongoing coverage of the 2014 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Travel Agent chatted with Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International, and learned that the company has its sights on Aruba and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands for possible Sandals Resorts expansions.

RELATED: 2014 Caribbean Travel Marketplace Kicks Off

During an Island Routes press event on Monday night, we asked Stewart what the chances of an expansion to Mexico were.

"There is nothing we won't do so long as it makes sense for the brand," Stewart told Travel Agent. "But before we even talk about Mexico, there are other islands in the Caribbean that we want to be in first and those would be Aruba and Grand Cayman and some others we are talking about."

Although these plans are still in the brainstorming phases, this is the latest news from the Caribbean all-inclusive chain. In fact, Stewart also recently announced the company's plans to build five over-the-water suites at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

The over-the-water suites will also be built in St. Lucia at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian, although that project is still being held up, says Stewart. However, the over-the-water suites at both resorts will be by different designers, Stewart says. Stewart says work on the over-the-water suites in Jamaica could begin by the first or second quarter of 2014.

RELATED: Sandals to Build Five Over-the-Water Suites at Jamaica Resort

The newest addition to Sandals Resorts Luxury Included portfolio, Sandals Barbados debuted on November 6 and offers a selection of 280 luxury accommodations that range from beachfront suites to exquisite rooms situated in the resort’s lush tropical garden.  In Barbados they say they have mastered the art of how to truly live and Sandals Resorts is honored and excited to bring the Sandals difference and lifestyle to this Caribbean paradise. A program of enhancements is planned to further ‘Sandalize’ the property, with changes to the design aesthetic and the addition of new restaurants, for a total of seven gourmet dining choices throughout the resort, to choose from. In fact, Stewart says the resort will feature Sandals' first ever restaurant serving authentic Indian cuisine. 

Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort & Spa opened its doors on December 12, 2013.  Situated on 17 acres of stunning land along the pristine Pink Gin Beach, Sandals LaSource Grenada will offer guests the highest level of luxury with an unprecedented look and feel for the resort company’s portfolio. There will be nine global gourmet dining options, including the brand’s very first steakhouse, Butch’s Chophouse, named after the resort company’s founder and chairman. There will also be a state-of-the-art fitness center and the signature Red Lane Spa. Conveniently located only minutes from Maurice Bishop International Airport, Sandals LaSource Grenada will boast a total of 225 rooms housed within three distinct villages: Pink Gin, Italian and South Seas.

Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island in Nassau, The Bahamas is in the midst of multi-million dollar renovation of the resort’s Windsor building. Each of the building’s 174 suites will undergo complete refurbishment including updated furnishings and the installation of new bathrooms that will feature Carrera marble and glass mosaics as well as magnificent new showers or deep tubs.  All-new swim-up suites will also be created, with the addition of a spectacular river pool on the ground floor.

A Zen Garden, complete with peaceful water features and serene gardens will also be a part of the renovations, providing guests a quiet and private escape. Last year, the former Manor Building at Sandals Royal Bahamian underwent a complete transformation both inside and out reopening with a spectacular new contemporary feel.  Renamed ‘The Balmoral Tower’ in recognition of its rich regal history, the $17.5m renovation was unveiled to much acclaim and has since attracted glowing praise from both the travel industry and guests alike. 

Also, the Windsor building at Sandals Royal Bahamian will soon debut a fresh and contemporary feel for clients of these luxurious suites.
Set on Negril’s famed seven-mile beach, Sandals Negril’s Paradise Block will get a complete makeover with a newer contemporary design that includes fresh and modern furnishings and color schemes, along with the addition of expansive patios to walkout rooms on the ground floor and the creation of romantic French balconies on the 2nd and 3rd floors.  Bathrooms will also be redesigned with contemporary marble, mahogany and glass finishes.  

The ground floor of the Paradise Block at Sandals Negril will feature walkout rooms with expansive patios only steps away from the beautiful seven-mile beach. 
 
Visit www.sandals.com and keeping visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for more updates from our ongoing coverage of the 2014 Caribbean Travel Marketplace.