Durrant Pate/Contributor

Jamaican-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals and Beaches branded all-inclusive resorts, took home 13 prestigious awards at the 30th Annual World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony.

The ceremony, which took place on Saturday, August 26 at Sandals Grande St Lucian, recognizes and celebrates the top players in the travel and tourism industry each year, bringing together government officials and leaders in the hospitality industry. Amid the glimmer of the gala, SRI was named the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand for the 30th year in a row.

In addition to this top honour, the all-new Sandals Dunn’s River, which opened its doors in May this year, celebrated its first wins as the Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort and Caribbean’s Leading New Resort.

Ushering in a new era of Jamaican hospitality, the all-inclusive resorts boasts entirely new ways to experience the natural treasures of the island, with cascading waters throughout the resort sourced from the nearby Dunn’s River Falls and unique room concepts completely new to the brand, such as the Coyaba Sky Villa Swim-Up Rondoval Suites and Tufa Terrace Skypool Suites.

More wins for other Sandals resorts

Marking another milestone, Sandals Royal Curaçao won Curaçao’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort for the second year in a row, highlighting the resort as the best place to explore the island of Curaçao with its luxury suites and sprawling bungalows, MINI Cooper convertible access, and cutting-edge Island Inclusive dining programme.

Commenting on the wins, SRI CEO Gebhard Rainer remarked: “To be named the Caribbean’s leading hotel brand for the 30th consecutive year is such an honour and a testament to the incredible team members and valued guests that make up the Sandals family. Authentic and exceptional Caribbean hospitality are at the centre of all that we do, and we’re beyond proud to be hosting and recognising the travel industry’s best trailblazers at our very own Sandals Grande St Lucian.”

Located on its own peninsula in Gros-Islet, St Lucia, Sandals Grande St Lucian offered an idealistic backdrop for World Travel Awards guests to enjoy delectable dining, accompanied by panoramic views of the island. The 13 awards won under Sandals Resorts International’s portfolio are:

• ·       Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand 2023: Sandals Resorts International
• ·       Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort 2023: Sandals Dunn’s River, Jamaica
• ·       Caribbean’s Leading New Resort 2023: Sandals Dunn’s River, Jamaica
• ·       Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort 2023: Sandals Grande Antigua
• ·       Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2023: Sandals Grande St Lucian, St Lucia
• ·       St Lucia’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2023: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
• ·       Grenada’s Leading Resort 2023: Sandals Grenada
• ·       Jamaica’s Leading Resort 2023: Sandals Montego Bay
• ·       Bahamas’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2023: Sandals Royal Bahamian
• ·       Caribbean’s Leading Resort 2023: Sandals Royal Barbados
• ·       Curaçao’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2023: Sandals Royal Curaçao
• ·       Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2023: Beaches Negril
• ·       Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2023: Beaches Turks & Caicos

The World Travel Awards, which celebrates its 30^th anniversary in 2023, is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence – voted on by qualified executives working within travel and tourism and the consumer travel buyer worldwide. This year, there was a record-breaking surge in votes, causing an extension for the voting period.

Founded in 1981 by the late Jamaican entrepreneur Gordon “Butch” Stewart, SRI operates 24 properties throughout the Caribbean under four separate brands, including Sandals^, Resorts, Beaches Resorts, the Luxury-Included brand for adult couples and private island Fowl Cay Resort and the private homes of Your Jamaican Villas.