OCHO RIOS — The completely new and transformed Sandals Dunn’s River has begun welcoming its first guests.

Located on a beautiful stretch of white sand beach – a site originally selected by Sandals Resorts International founder the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart when the first Sandals Dunn’s River opened over 30 years ago – the resort is now in full operation following its grand debut on May 19.

Sandals Dunn’s River is the 17th resort in the Sandals Resorts portfolio.

The 260-room luxury all-inclusive resort features new culinary concepts and elevated suite designs, and offers a personal connection to its setting on Jamaica’s north coast, said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI).

“Ocho Rios has been the backdrop of some of my family’s most pivotal moments, including along this very beach where my father grew up and turned a perhaps once unimaginable dream into one of the world’s most well-known hotel brands,” said Stewart. “Today, we celebrate innovation and a commitment to excellence as we unveil the next generation of Sandals Resorts in our home country of Jamaica. I cannot think of a better way to honour his legacy and acknowledge the incredible future of our brand than to welcome our very first guests to Sandals Dunn’s River. It’s great to have you home.”

Sandals Dunn’s River infuses its Jamaican roots into every sense, Stewart added, designed to embrace the essence of the destination’s rivers, lush forests, and majestic banyan trees. Upon arrival in the open-air lobby, guests will even experience Sandals Resorts’ first-ever signature fragrance, a mix of white florals and fruits, with notes of musk and sandalwood.

Edessa, serving up Mediterranean flavours and ocean views, is one of 12 gourmet restaurants at Sandals Dunn’s River

More highlights from the resort …

ACCOMMODATION

• Sandals “firsts” at Sandals Dunn’s River include Tufa Terrace SkyPool Butler Suites, a first in Jamaica with glass panel edge infinity pools spanning the length of balconies flanked by views of the Caribbean Sea.
• Coyaba Sky Swim-up Rondoval Butler Suites with Private Pools, standouts thanks to their iconic stand-alone circular villas, have been reimagined with open-air rooftops.
• Mammee Bay Beachfront Butler Suites feature expansive balconies that overlook the sea with sunset views
• Travertine Beachfront Club Level Rooms are named after the well-known Dunn’s River Falls’ giant, natural limestone steps.

Dunn’s Rum Club

DRINKS, DINING & MORE

• Sandals Dunn’s River’s connection to Jamaica continues at BLŪM, one of 12 new culinary concepts at the property. A tip of the hat to the island’s Blue Mountains, BLŪM offers a first-of-its-kind coffee drinking experience with 25-cup cold drip towers, nitro cold brew on tap and Modbar pour-over units. Pastries and treats are on offer too.
• Dunn’s Rum Club features the largest selection of rum on the island of Jamaica and any other Sandals Resort. Curated and cleverly named rum flights elevate the experience even more.
• The luxurious Lapidus Lounge is an homage to Morris Lapidus, the famed architect who designed the site’s first resort – the Arawak Hotel. Lapidus’ aesthetic also epitomized 1960s Caribbean chic.
• For an authentic taste of Jamaica, the Jerk Shack is as traditional as it is delicious, offering crispy festival – fried sweet corn cakes, alongside spicy “jerked” meats and seafood infused with local allspice and scotch bonnet pepper. There’s also Laughing Waters Beach Bar.
•  Culinary offerings include: Hamani, an izakaya-inspired sushi restaurant; Edessa and its Mediterranean flavours; an Asian-fusion menu at Banyu; Central and South American flavors at Zuka; Italian at Cascata; a taste of France at L’Amande; grilled delights and island staples at Galene; and Saltaire, offering live-action breakfast and lunch selections.
  

  BLÜM Café, an ode to Jamaica’s majestic Blue Mountains

DIVERSIONS

• The source of the water that flows through Sandals Dunn’s River is from the natural reserves of the Dunn’s River Falls, from the lobby waterfalls to the cascading pools of the Red Lane Spa.
• Guests can tee off with complimentary green fees at the nearby and newly refurbished Sandals Upton Estate Golf & Country Club
• Other options include diving the depths of the ocean and exploring marine sanctuaries with  PADI, or rafting the Martha Brae River.
• Stewart introduces Sandals Dunn’s River and welcomes the Caribbean’s newest dream destination to the Sandals portfolio via the Sandals Palmcast; click here.
  

  Coyaba Sky Rondoval Villas feature secluded patios with private pools and stand alone soaking tubs

“Building extraordinary resorts that make it easy for our guests to authentically experience our home countries and the people that bring these incredible places to life, is the work of Sandals Resorts. The Caribbean is wide and diverse and brimming with flavour, and fun. There is so much to discover here and we want to bring our guests closer to it all,” he said.