MONTEGO BAY — Sandals Resorts International is going full circle with a new development in Jamaica that brings the island’s Dunn’s River property in Ocho Rios back into the Sandals collection after many years.
Sandals says 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, will be developed into three resorts under the Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts brands.
The result will be three new resorts for Sandals and Beaches …
- Sandals Dunn’s River, which will receive a top-to-bottom renovation from its former ilife as Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa
- Sandals Royal Dunn’s River, with approx. 250 rooms and suites, built as a brand new resort on oceanfront land adjacent to sister property Sandals Dunn’s River.
- Beaches Runaway Bay Resort, the third Beaches Resort in Jamaica, with some 400 one, two, three and four-bedroom suites on the site of the former Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort & Waterpark. Guests of Beaches Runaway Bay also have access to Runaway Bay Golf Club and its par-72, 18-hole championship golf course.
SRI acquired the former Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios and Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort & Waterpark last year, along with the prime parcel of land next to the Dunn’s River property.
The expansion plans return the Dunn’s River property back to Sandals family. Sandals Dunn’s River was first added to Sandals collection 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,” says SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.
Stewart added: “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 travellers are choosing to return to the places and brands that they know and trust.”
