Road entering the hotel named ‘Butch’ Stewart Boulevard in honour of late Sandals founder

Jamaican all-inclusive Caribbean hotel chain brand, Sandals has formally opened its 18^th resort in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The hotel, which debut on March 27, comprises 301-rooms and suites spread across 50 lush-laden acres, authentically embracing its Saint Vincent location with an experience that is as thoughtful as it is meticulously. The opening of this latest Sandals resort comes on the heels of the Sandals Dunn’s River debut in Jamaica last May. 

Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is Sandals ninth Caribbean destination. At this resort, accommodations innovation is a priority, such as the first two-story, overwater villas at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines resort, each featuring a rooftop with an outdoor lounge. 

Ribbon cutting ceremony 

The adults-only hotel brand held an intimate ribbon cutting ceremony on March 27, commemorating its entry into Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Witnessed by government officials, led by Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Sandals executives, guests and resort team members, an emerald green ribbon, representative of the island’s flag and lush surroundings was cut, signalling the soft launch of the resort.

In fact, the only Caribbean born super brand welcomed its first guests to a nature-forward experience brimming with island inspiration and stirring, ‘Sandals Firsts’.

Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International Adam Stewart, who spoke at the opening remarked, “this is a multi-generational act in the making that began with my extraordinary father Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart and Prime Minister Gonsalves many years ago. They flirted heavily about flying the Vincy flag not only here but in all the other islands across the Caribbean that Sandals has its operations.”

Continuing, he said, ”little did we know that 43 years later the Sandals brand would grow from one 99-room hotel in Montego Bay to a top 500 brand known on the world stage as a super brand. The only Caribbean born commercial super brand known across the United States, Europe and Canada with over 84% brand penetration and recognition.” 

With Sandals’ expansion to the island, airlift has increased exponentially with more availability on the horizon. Stewart pointed out that numerous airlines have adjusted their schedules in anticipation for the demand. 

He cited as an example, “American Airlines used to fly twice per week to and from the Argyle Airport, since April the airline has increase to four times per week and is expected to have daily flights by the end of 2024.” Air Canada and Virgin, he said have increased their airlift with JetBlue and United Airlines now flying to the island for the first time.  

Record number of travel advisors coming 

Nationals and visitors, the Sandals boss said will have the opportunity to fly more conveniently. Next month the resort is expected to host some 300 top travel advisors from around the world, the largest contingent of international travel professionals to ever visit Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

In his address, Prime Minister Gonsalves announced that the road coming to the entrance of the hotel, which has been built by the government will be named ‘Butch’ Stewart Boulevard in honour of the late Sandals founder.

He pointed to the positive impact Sandals has on his country and the CARICOM community referring to during COVID when unemployment went up, Sandals pitched a proposal to recruit Vincentians and send them to their resorts across the Caribbean to be trained, thereby easing some of the pressure providing opportunities for 500 people.