BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts, praised the Government of Barbados following the announcement of a deal which will result in opening of two resorts in the country.

SRI and the Government of Barbados reached the agreement following months of negotiations that will see the Caribbean’s leading resort company open the former Couples resort in St. Lawrence as a Sandals resort as well as managing a new Beaches resort set to be built on the site of the former Almond Beach resort in St. Peter.

According to Sandals Resorts’ Chairman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, the 10-acre former Couples property will open as a Sandals Luxury Included resort and will honour all existing commitments with guests who had booked to stay at Couples up until Nov. 6, 2013.

Stewart commented, “We are delighted to announce the opening of, not one, but two of our first ever resorts in this wonderful country of Barbados. Barbados and its people are so rich in culture, charm and personality and have been one of the leaders in Caribbean tourism for decades. We have been in discussions to bring our award-winning brands to this country for some time and are thrilled that negotiations have now been successfully concluded.

“In the former Couples resort, I strongly believe that we have acquired one of the most beautiful properties on the entire island and we cannot wait to bring the full Luxury Included experience here. We have been voted the world’s best time and time again and have more luxury inclusions than any other resorts on the planet and we promise to give the people of Barbados a resort of which they can be proud of.”

Upon opening as Sandals Barbados, the resort will offer a selection of 280 luxury accommodations that range from beachfront suites to exquisite rooms situated in the resort’s lush tropical garden. A program of enhancements will be launched in order to ‘Sandalize’ the property immediately.

In addition to the opening of Sandals Barbados, SRI also announced that an agreement has been reached with the Government of Barbados regarding the building of a brand new Beaches resort at the site of former Almond Beach resort in St. Peter, Barbados.

“Since it first launched over 16 years ago, Beaches has captured the hearts and minds of vacationers everywhere and I can assure you that what we’re planning in Barbados will become one of the most sought after resorts in the entire world.

“We are a Caribbean company that has been in business here for almost 33 years and no one knows this region like we do. It is an exciting time for Barbados and its people not to mention those looking for the best vacation experience imaginable. We believe the best days of Barbadian tourism lie ahead.”

Sandals Resorts International’s arrival into Barbados marks another milestone of expansion that has seen the recent opening of the Key West Village at its flagship Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos as well as the hugely anticipated opening of Sandals LaSource Grenada in December 2013.