Two existing all-inclusive resorts acquired last year and a newly built one, all located in St Ann

Jamaica-based all-inclusive hotel chain, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has announced the addition of three new all-inclusive resort hotels in Jamaica, under the Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts brands.

All three resorts are located in the garden parish of St Ann, one of Jamaica’s resort parishes.

SRI yesterday (April 21) said it would transform two all-inclusive resorts in St Ann which it bought last year – the former Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios and the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort & Waterpark.

In addition, Sandals has bought a prime parcel of beachfront land adjacent to the Ocho Rios resort, where it will construct a brand new resort. The expansion plans envisaged by Sandals will see the return of one of Jamaica’s most storied resorts, the Dunn’s River property in Ocho Rios, to the Sandals family as Sandals Dunn’s River, the same moniker under which it was originally added to the portfolio in 1990. 

In commenting on the return of the Dunn’s River resort to the Sandals portfolio, SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart remarked that, “Sandals Dunn’s River holds special meaning to our family because its history is the story of Jamaica’s evolution, as a travel powerhouse”.

Stewart added: “My father [the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart] grew up on the beach in Ocho Rios and this hotel, the first of its kind when it was built in the 1950s, captured the era’s glamour and sparked his imagination. When it became available, we jumped at the chance to bring the hotel back into the Sandals fold.”

Top-to-bottom renovation being done

The new Sandals Dunn’s River will receive a top-to-bottom renovation with the adjacent ocean-front land transformed into an additional brand-new resort, Sandals Royal Dunn’s River, which will be a modern luxurious escape featuring approximately 250 lavish rooms and suites. The sister hotels will operate in a similar fashion to Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, offering exchange privileges between the two all-inclusive resorts.

The Runaway Bay resort, a renowned Jamaican property hotel located midway between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay in St James, will also undergo extensive redevelopment to become Beaches Runaway Bay Resort, the third family-friendly Beaches Resort in Jamaica. At its completion, the family-friendly hotel will feature an estimated 400 expansive one, two, three and four-bedroom suites.

Guests of Beaches Runaway Bay also have access to Runaway Bay Golf Club and its par-72, 18-hole championship golf course.

In concluding, the SRI boss stated that, “Jamaica will always play a critical part in our plans to grow and innovate Caribbean hospitality. There is tremendous opportunity here and a ripe moment, as leisure travelers are choosing to return to the places and brands that they know and trust”.