It all started when Gordon “Butch” Stewart bought an old hotel, called the Bay Roc hotel, on one of the largest beaches in Montego Bay. Although he didn’t have any hotel experience at all, Sandals Montego Bay opened back in 1981.
By 2007, Stewart was controlling the family-owned ATL Group that includes the Jamaican-based Sandals.com Resorts International (SRI), which analysts have estimated at one billion dollars. ATL Group remains privately owned to this day and includes not only 25 SRI Caribbean resorts, but also The Observer newspaper, and Appliance Traders Ltd.
Today, the late Butch Stewart’s son, Adam, is SRI’s Chairman and Gebhard Rainer is CEO. SRI also owns and operates Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts, Fowl Cay Resort, several private villas, and Beaches.com Resorts. Here are a few SRI milestones:
1984- Launched the first swim-up bar in the Caribbean at Jamaica’s Montego Bay Resort.
March 2009- Launched the Sandals Foundation, which is SRI’s philanthropic arm.
March 2012- Launches Sandals Corporate University (SCU), a regional adult education program for the benefit of SRI and Beaches.com Resorts (teaches courses on leadership, customer service, professional communications, and more).
What Activities Do the Resorts Offer?
There are plenty of things to do at Sandals.com Resorts, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Celebrating anniversaries and other milestones that are worthy of recognition.
- Enjoy water-sports available at the Aqua Center, including Aqua Trikes.
- Go on an ATV Adventure.
- Bo Bamboo River Rafting.
- Play Basketball. …
- Play Beach Volleyball. …
- Enjoy gazing at Beachfront Views.
- Enjoy some gourmet dining plus unlimited drinks (soft and alcoholic).
- Enjoy the 24/7 entertainment. options for.
- Play a few rounds of golf.
- Play tennis (day or night)
- Shoot some pool.
- Stay in shape via state-of-the-art equipment at the fitness center.
- Attend Martha Stewart Adult Crafts classes.
- All gratuities and taxes included!
On top of that, Sandals.com Resorts make excellent wedding venues. In fact, back in July 2009, they formed a partnership with Martha Stewart Living Omni media for bringing fully customizable Martha Stewart Weddings for the lucky brides and grooms who are having their destination wedding at any Beaches.com or Sandals.com Resorts starting on January 1, 2010.
What different locations do they operate in?
SRI has properties all over the Caribbean islands, including:
~ Antigua
~ Barbados
~ The Bahamas
~ Curacao (opening 4th quarter of 2021)
~ Fowl Cay
~ Grenada
~ Jamaica
~ Negril
~ Saint Lucia
~ Turks & Caicos
And, they also have two former resorts, both of which were in Jamaica.
Pros & Cons
Like any other resort group worldwide, there are a few pros and, yes, some cons that need to be included in any comprehensive Sandals.com Resorts Reviews 2021, so here they are:
Pros:
1. All-inclusive, including taxes and gratuities- Some all-inclusive resorts really end up leaving a lot to be desired, according to their guests, who often become when, after the fact, they find out about hidden costs. On the other hand, Sandals does deliver a truly all-inclusive vacation package that has been described as second to none with no hidden costs, and with everything is taken care of.
2. Luxury amenities and top-shelf booze.
3. Well-known and positively reviewed.
4. Offers many Caribbean locations that are both popular and picturesque.
5. Tons of available activities from popular anniversary and wedding venues to tennis and watersports.
Cons:
1. There were reports indicating that some SRI resorts were not making any appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities. These issues prompted the ACLU to have the opinion that any company that offered a stay at a Sandals Resort as a prize (or did any business with them) could become the target of a lawsuit. Those major companies who were involved immediately severed any business relationship that they had with Sandals. In fact, even Sandals’ advertisements became banned from use in the London Underground by 2003 due to widespread public objections.
2. Some individuals have reported that Sandals is a mass-marketing resort that’s only mediocre and caters to the common crowd that doesn’t even know what a real luxurious resort is.
3. Others feel that there are better values for the money.
A Few Final Words
Now, for getting the very best possible deal on your Beaches.com or Sandals.com Resort vacation, here are a few helpful hints:
- Booking as far in advance as you possibly can.
- Being completely flexible regarding your proposed travel dates.
- Utilizing the Sandals Resorts free-night promotions.
- Asking for DOD, Firefighter, military, and police Sandals Discounts.
- Asking about the Sandals “Free Anniversary Night” promotion.
- Purchasing travel insurance.
All in all, our research into Sandals.com Resorts Reviews 2021, prompts us to conclude that Sandals.com Resorts and Beaches.com Resorts are a good travel option but only for those who like all-inclusive resorts. They seem to offer good value for your vacation dollar along with plenty to keep you busy on your stay. They also seem to be a beautiful romantic backdrop for a wedding venue.