Three Questions for Sandals Resorts International CEO Adam Stewart

by Cheryl Rosen April 04, 2016

Adam Stewart takes on our 3Q this week, talking romance, over-the-water bungalows, new technologies, and even Cuba with TMR editor Cheryl Rosen.

Travel Market Report: What’s new for the rest of 2016 and being planned for next year at Sandals?
Adam Stewart: 2016 is proving to be a tremendous year for us. Demand remains high and we’ve made a considerable investment to enhance and expand our suite product across our destinations and brands [Sandals and Beaches]. New suites have been introduced at Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals Negril, and Beaches Turks and Caicos. This summer, 32 new Lover’s Lagoon suites will debut at Sandals LaSource Grenada, expanding the inventory at a resort that has been so well received.

And fourth quarter, we will unveil our highly anticipated Over the Water Suites at Sandals Royal Caribbean. These suites, which are currently open for bookings, are just incredible—each a standalone bungalow that is connected to a shared dock that links guests to our private island, Sandals Cay. Also under development now is one of the most ambitious and exciting expansions we’ve ever undertaken at Sandals Barbados, which we will debut in time for the winter season beginning in 2017.

The luxury all-inclusive segment is growing and with it, guest expectations. Our forward plans are all about exceeding those expectations in ways guests have not yet imagined—from new technologies that make interacting with our brands easier to fresh dining concepts and partnerships that enhance services and more. As a privately held company, we’re able to remain nimble, taking advantage of opportunities as they arise. But I will say this: expect our brands to come to new destinations in the Caribbean and beyond, and look for us to invest in innovation that impresses our audiences and expands what it means to be a true, luxury all-inclusive resort.

TMR: How did you come up with the idea for those fabulous overwater bungalows? Who is the customer base you are trying to reach?
AS: Love was the impetus. Quite seriously, my wife and I honeymooned in the Maldives and the over-the-water accommodations that are so common in that part of the world captured my imagination. I knew I had to bring them to the Caribbean. I am really thrilled with the incredible over-the-water bungalows we’re introducing at Sandals Royal Caribbean. These suites are the most luxurious, most expensive we’ve ever built. And we took our time to get the design and the interiors just right. The result is stunning and sexy, with see-through glass floors for ocean viewing, Tranquility Soaking Tub, an over-the-water hammock for two, private infinity pool and personal butler.

The Sandals brand is all about romance and we’ve been upping the ante on our signature Love Nest Suites, which are enclaves of privacy, luxury, and bespoke service. This is resonating with our guests and not just honeymooners. In fact, our best suites, which now comprise nearly a third of all inventory, sell the most quickly.

TMR: Are you thinking Cuba at all?
AS: We’ve thought about Cuba quite a bit. We actually operated three hotels in the destination for years, but left when we felt our brand standards could not be maintained there. But things change and we’re watching.