Two new resorts are to be opened in Barbados by Sandals Resorts International following months of negotiations with the island’s government.
A former Couples resort in St Lawrence will reopen as a Sandals property while a new Beaches resort is to be built on the site of the former Almond Beach Resort in St Peter.
Sandals chairman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart said the 10-acre former Couples property will open as a Sandals ‘luxury included’ resort.
The company pledged to honour all existing commitments with guests who had booked to stay at Couples up until November 6.
The Sandals Barbados resort will open at the site from that date with 280 rooms following refurbishment.
Stewart said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of not one, but two of our first ever resorts in this wonderful country of Barbados.
“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 in the entire island and we cannot wait to bring the full luxury included experience here.”
Talking about the former Almond Beach property, he added: “Since it first launched over 16 years ago, Beaches has captured the hearts and minds of holidaymakers 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’ arrival into Barbados follows the recent opening of Key West Luxury Village at the flagship Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos. The Sandals LaSource in Grenada is due to open in December.
Sandals has also launched a new online video channel designed as a tool for travel agents to share an in-depth look at what the brand offers.
Videos.sandals.com will feature ‘webisodes’ featuring anything from destination wedding planning and the best places to dive in the Caribbean, to the perks of having a personal butler or details on the work of the Sandals Foundation.