Imagery courtesy of Sandals Resorts International.

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has set the completion date for a Jamaican resort remodelling as May 2023.

Sandals Dunn’s River is to make its return to the brand’s portfolio after a full redesign and renovation. The resort will feature first-of-its-kind suite designs and exclusive restaurant and bar concepts.

Nature-meets-luxury accommodation

First opened in 1991, the luxury all-inclusive resort is now undergoing a thorough restoration of 260 rooms, with designs embracing the essence of Jamaica. Brand-new Tufa SkyPool Butler suites will feature glass panels spanning the length of oceanfront balconies for a cascading infinity effect with clear views of the Caribbean Sea.

At the Coyaba Swim-Up Rondoval Butler Suites with private pools, Sandals’ standalone villas are reimagined with vast open-air rooftops featuring private soaking tubs, sun-lounging areas and privileged views of the surrounding flora. Luxurious Mammee Bay Beachfront Butler Suites will be equipped with spacious balconies directly overlooking the ocean, with gold fixtures and green accents that are speckled throughout the resort’s accommodations for a nature-meets-luxury effect.

More on the menu

Culinary offerings at Sandals Dunn’s River will include 12 global gourmet restaurants – with 10 concepts entirely new to Sandals. L’Amande will serve French delicacies and Jamaican fare in a chic setting, while Greek concept Edessa is where the Caribbean and Aegean influences will meet.

From Thailand to Japan, the Asian-fusion menu at Banyu will offer a blend of cultures all in a single dish. Central and South American flavours will be served at Zuka, debuted first at Sandals Royal Curaçao, plus the rustic yet soulful Jerk Shack will dish up its traditional sweet and peppery delights.

High spirits

Nine bars onsite will each have a distinct identity. A first-of-its-kind experience, the hip and sophisticated Dunn’s Rum Club will pour authentic Jamaican craft cocktails, while the Laughing Waters beach bar will offer bed-style seating.

A ‘Sandals First’ in Jamaica, the rooftop bar, Ocarina, will pair spirits with the gentle sea breeze, while the chic Lapidus Lounge pays homage to renowned architect Morris Lapidus, who designed the resort when it was first built as the Arawak Hotel in the 1950s.

Inspired by Jamaica’s quintessential Blue Mountains coffee bean plantations, guests can experience a fresh cup of pour-over coffee at Blūm café, along with Japanese-style and nitro cold brews.

Water wonders

Cascading waters collected from the depths of the Dunn’s River Falls will greet guests upon arrival, with all water features throughout the resort sourced from the natural reserves of the rivers. The resort boasts Jamaica’s largest pool – designed to mimic the flow of the river. Featuring a glass panel edge, the pool will be levelled to the sand for a water-meets-sand-meets-ocean effect. It is one of five pools onsite.

The hotel will also be home to Jamaica’s largest pool, with its design inspired by the natural curves of the Dunn’s River. Furthermore, the Red Lane Spa at Sandals Dunn’s River will debut as one of the most luxurious for the brand, with the sound of flowing water from Dunn’s River and Roaring Waters River cascading into the spa’s pools.

Past to future

Sandals’ executive chairman Adam Stewart said: “This was an extraordinary project and the last one I worked on with our founder and my late father as his final masterpiece. He handpicked this location more than three decades ago for its white-sand coastline, cool breeze, azure waters and its close proximity to the destination’s archetypical falls. It will not only serve to breathe new excitement into a corner of Jamaica loved and cherished by so many, but it will set a new standard of luxury for tourism right here in our backyard with a next-generation resort worthy of its nostalgic past.”

The couples resort brand has further redevelopments planned at two of its St Lucia resorts, Sandals Regency La Toc and Sandals Halcyon Beach, to follow in Q1 and Q2 2023, respectively.

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