Travelers are looking for more than sun and sand from their all-inclusive vacations – and Sandals and Beaches Resorts has its finger on the pulse of your island holiday fantasies. Their parent company, Sandals Resorts International, has revealed the most in-demand practices and innovations that are transforming Caribbean vacations – and where they’re already being implemented in resorts you can book now.
Sandals Resorts has 17 luxury beachfront, adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines. From butler service and exquisite cuisine to top-shelf spirits and groundbreaking suites, including the Caribbean's first Overwater Villas, the company is known for innovations that continue to elevate your all-inclusive vacation.
Sandals Resorts has pioneered concepts like an off-site Island Inclusive dining program that invites guests to experience the local dining scene beyond the resort gates and MINI Coopers for island exploration – all while staying true to Sandals’ Caribbean roots and showcasing the positive link between tourism and the power to transform lives through the Sandals Foundation.
Beaches Resorts is the Caribbean's most-awarded luxury family all-inclusive resort chain, with three beachfront locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, and a fourth location set to debut in Exuma, Bahamas.
Kids can hang with their favorite characters at the Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street, splash in waterparks, enjoy exclusive Kids Camps and teen activities, while parents indulge in butler service, luxurious spa treatments, and superb cuisine -- all with the assurance of Certified Nannies and expertly trained team members. Beaches is the first resort company in the world to attain the Advanced Certified Autism Center designation.
But the companies aren’t resting on their laurels. From new sustainability practices, culinary concepts, amenities, and a re-imagined approach to customer service, the company that operates Sandals adults-only and family-focused Beaches resorts continues to level up on all-inclusive vacationers’ expectations.
Here’s how:
Moving Beyond Sustainability to Regeneration
No longer satisfied with leaving a smaller footprint, Sandals Resorts International is focused on enhancing ecosystems and communities.
This includes recycling food waste and collaborating with local farmers to support livestock development, illustrating a circular economy model Sandals aims to expand throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Sandals is also advancing its renewable energy initiatives. It has launched the "Power of 15" project, which aims to provide solar energy for school computer labs in Jamaica, a double benefit to sustainability and the community.
Its Linkages Program focuses on fostering a positive relationship between tourism and the local economy. The goal is to ensure visitors contribute to the local economy prosperity and cultural exchange.
Sandals Resorts and the Sandals Foundation collaborate with local farmers, funneling leftover food back into the community to support livestock development, in a circular economy model, which Sandals is expanding across its footprint in the Caribbean.
Growing Appetite for Caribbean Cuisine
The Caribbean is in the process of redefining its culinary identity with a focus on local culture and impacts everything from plating to dining ambiance.
Sandals execs point out that Caribbean cuisine is thriving globally, with cities like New York and Los Angeles celebrating island flavors. Sandals plans to incorporate more local ingredients and storytelling into shopping opportunities for guests, allowing you to take a piece of the Caribbean home from your holiday.
Nutrition and sustainability are also key to this culinary evolution. New concepts like BLÜM, highlighting Blue Mountain coffee, and Sweetwood—a barbecue meets jerk concept coming soon to Sandals Ochi—aim to connect guests with the rich cultural heritage of the region. Experiential dining is emphasized, with venues like Buccan at Sandals Saint Vincent creating memorable culinary experiences that tell a story with innovative solid-fuel cooking methods.
Buccan at the new Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines celebrates Caribbean cuisine, using sustainable local ingredients and traditional techniques, such as cooking with coconut husks.
Connect with the Culture Through Design
Sandals and Beaches resorts are evolving ‘from suite to sand,’ with a focus on authenticity and local materials used to create inviting spaces that resonate with the islands' heritage.
For example, at Jamaica's newest Sandals Resort, Sandals Dunn's River, the Coyaba Sky Villa Swim-up Rondoval Butler Suites feature a private rooftop for stargazing, facilitated by a dedicated Stargazing Concierge.
Offering All-Inclusive Travelers Active Relaxation
Wellness travel is evolving beyond mere relaxation to encompass active, mindful experiences. Sandals' wellness programs offer a variety of activities tailored to your surroundings and ‘finding your energy.’
For example, the new Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ picturesque pickleball courts encourage guests to engage with their surroundings while enjoying invigorating activities.
The ‘Future of Hospitality Training’ Makes for Great Guest Experiences
Sandals credits its internal ‘university,’ with 10,000 online courses, with augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) and Oculus devices integrated into training programs. Trainees experience lifelike restaurant environments and interact with equipment virtually, enhancing their skills in innovative ways. =
This year alone, 500 chefs and 1,000 leaders participated in specialized training programs, demonstrating Sandals' commitment to enhancing skills and careers in local communities and elevating the all-inclusive hospitality industry everywhere it operates.
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Images courtesy of Sandals Resorts International
Top image: Over the Water Private Island Butler Villa at Sandals Royal Caribbean
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