Sandals Resorts International Plans for Three New Hotels in Jamaica

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) announced on Wednesday it will add three new hotels in Jamaica under the Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts brands.

Sandals Resorts will transform two all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica acquired last year: the former Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios and Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort & Waterpark plus a prime parcel of beachfront land adjacent to the Ocho Rios resort.

The expansion plans return one of Jamaica’s most storied resorts, the Dunn’s River property in Ocho Rios, back to the Sandals family as Sandals Dunn’s River, the same moniker as when it was originally added to the portfolio in 1990. 

“Sandals Dunn’s River holds special meaning to our family because its history is the story of Jamaica’s evolution as a travel powerhouse.  My father 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,” said SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.

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, 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, will also undergo extensive redevelopment to become Beaches Runaway Bay Resort. 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.

“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,” said Stewart.