UK Volume 21

uk.superbrands.com Superbrands UK Annual Vol.21 By offering luxury, innovation and choice , Sandals and Beaches Resorts has been at the forefront of the Caribbean all-inclusive travel sector for almost 40 years . In an industry brimming with new contenders, the passion, knowledge and experience of Sandals’ management team and resort staff has maintained its market-leading position Market Sandals Resorts sets itself apart by steering away from off-the-shelf five-star package holidays, placing an emphasis on personal choice and offering customers more for the price of their holiday. Sandals Resorts’ holidays include cuisine at multiple 5 Star Global Gourmet ™ speciality restaurants at each resort, unlimited premium brand alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, tips and taxes, as well as complimentary land and water sports such as golf and scuba diving for PADI certified divers. There are 15 Sandals Resorts created exclusively for ‘two people in love’ located in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua, the Bahamas, Grenada and Barbados. Its sister brand, Beaches Resorts, comprises three resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, catering for families, groups, and couples. Product Sandals Resorts launched the Caribbean’s first Over the Water Maldivian-style suites in Jamaica at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island in 2016, with more Over the Water additions at resorts in Jamaica and St Lucia thereafter. In 2019, Sandals Resorts completed a multi-million- dollar renovation of the company’s flagship resort, Sandals Montego Bay, including refurbished suites, a new Over the Water bar, and an Over the Water wedding chapel with a glass-bottomed aisle. Extensive renovations also took place at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island in Jamaica in 2019, including the addition of three new 5 Star Global Gourmet ™ dining options including Bombay Club, Spices and La Tavola. Two new room categories were introduced at Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort in St Lucia – the Crystal Lagoon Walkout Swim-up Club Level Suite and the Crystal Lagoon Poolside Luxury Room. The company’s newest resort, Sandals Royal Barbados, which opened in December 2017, features 222 butler and concierge level suites, a rooftop infinity pool, bowling alley and gourmet doughnut shop. More recently, a new complimentary live wedding streaming service has been launched for nuptials taking place at Sandals Resorts in 2020 and 2021, allowing brides and grooms to share their special day with loved ones back at home. Achievements In 2019, Sandals Resorts received an array of travel trade awards including the coveted Hotel & Resort Operator of the Year, for the 11th consecutive year, at the TTG Awards. Sandals Resorts also won Tour Operator of the Year at the Food and Travel Reader Awards, and Best All-Inclusive Resort Operator for the 11th year at the Travel Weekly Globe Awards, amongst others. The company was also awarded 11 gongs at the prestigious 2020 World Travel Awards including the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand 2020, the Caribbean’s Leading All- Inclusive Family Resort 2020, for Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa and the Caribbean’s Leading Resort 2020 for Sandals Royal Barbados. Sandals Resorts’ philanthropic arm, The Sandals Foundation, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019. The organisation aims to unite the region with one common goal: to elevate its people and protect its delicate ecosystem under the pillars of community, education, and the environment. The Sandals Foundation has implemented projects and programmes valued at more than US $70m, which have affected the lives of more than 990,000 people to date. Sandals Resorts is one of the only hotel chains in the world to have nine resorts holding Master Certification from EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for sustainability in travel and tourism. Five resorts hold Platinum, one holds Gold and two hold Silver EarthCheck Certifications. Recent Developments Expansive renovations took place in 2019 at resorts in Jamaica and St Lucia, including the addition of the Caribbean’s longest river pool at Sandals Halcyon Beach Resort. In addition, Over the Water wedding chapels were added at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort and Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica. Flagship resort, Sandals Montego Bay, benefited from a new Over the Water bar and the addition of three new restaurants, as well as a complete refurbishment of the swim-up pool bar, originally the first of its kind in the Caribbean. In 2018, all 18 Sandals and Beaches Resorts eliminated the 21,490,800 plastic straws and stirrers used across the resorts each year. Recently Sandals acquired the CapEstate Golf Club in St Lucia which is currently being redesigned with the help of pro golfer, Greg Norman. The 18-hole Championship golf course is the second partnership between the two global Stay at One, Play at All means you can stay at one Sandals Resort and enjoy the amenities of all the others on the same island DID YOU KNOW?