Beaches Ocho Rios
Grenada's legendary Pink Gin Beach
A Key West Villa at Beaches Turks & Caicos
The Key West Villa bedroom
If your spring cleaning entails having a little sort-out, some scrubbing and perhaps a lick of paint, think about the folks at Sandals. As founder Butch Stewart and his son and now CEO Adam outlined in detail last week at a Manhatten event, they’ve been spending multiple millions updating and refurbishing their resorts – both new and old.
Take their newest resort in Grenada. Located on the unforgettably-named Pink Gin Beach, LaSource was known as a moderate-sized spa-inclusive facility. No more. The Stewarts are adding 100 rooms, for a total of 231, and are spreading the word that the accommodation will be the most elaborate, most elegant (or, as Adam put it, “mind-blowing”) of any Sandals Resorts. There will be 9 dining options including Caribbean, French, Mediterranean, sushi and - for clients like Butch Stewart who enjoy a quality steak - there’ll be Sandals’ 1st Chophouse, bringing what Adam called “A $200 New York City meal to an all-inclusive on Grenada”. It seems Butch has seriously fallen in love with the island, telling us how he loves its old-fashioned charm and quaintness. Sandals LaSource Grenada resort will open in December after its $19 million renovation.
It’s clear the Stewarts are also pretty jazzed about the addition of the new Key West Luxury Village to Beaches in Provo. Adding 150 suites and villas to the hugely popular resort, the Key West Village also ups the number of restaurants throughout the resort to a whopping 19 – more than any other all-inclusive. Key West debuts in May.
Then there’s Beaches Ocho Rios Resort, which back in the day started as a Playboy Club (!) before morphing into Beaches Boscobel. What does $30 million in renovations buy you? A new quiet pool. Upgraded restaurants, suites, spa piano bar, spa and fitness centre. Chandeliers made from wine bottles. Expanded hangouts for tweens and teens. A Greek Village – 59 oceanfront rooms with their own Bar and OPA Sunset Bar.
The all-inclusives which never get complacent: all it takes is millions and a passion to keep raising the bar.
