Catching Up With The Very First Sandals

Image: PHOTO: Sandals Montego Bay (Courtesy Sandals Resorts)
Image: PHOTO: Sandals Montego Bay (Courtesy Sandals Resorts)
Kristina Rundquist
by Kristina Rundquist
Last updated: 10:30 PM ET, Thu February 16, 2017

Sandals Resorts International encompasses five brands and 24 properties spread across Antigua, The Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Turks and Caicos.

But the legacy of Sandals Resorts had to start somewhere, right?

Thirty-seven years ago, Butch Stewart opened the Sandals resort in Montego Bay, and the rest is history. As the flagship property of the world's most popular Luxury Included® resort chain, it's clear why this couples-only resort is still one of the brand's most popular.

Located on one of the best (and longest) private white-sand beaches on the island and just minutes from the airport, Sandals Montego Bay is ideal for couples in search of a luxury Caribbean experience.

Rooms & Suites. Sandals Montego Bay offers guests luxurious and stylish rooms set against a backdrop of the turquoise-green waters of Montego Bay. Spacious suites are generously outfitted with plantation-style appointments, including mahogany furniture and framed island art, which combine to evoke an upscale tropical experience. Guests can relax on their private patio or balcony as they enjoy tropical cocktails and warm island breezes.

Activities & Amenities. Thanks to its location on a reef-protected beach, guests of the resort are able to enjoy a wealth of water sports and activities, including water-skiing, sailing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking and scuba diving (Sandals offers one of the most comprehensive diving programs to be found). For those who prefer their water activities in a pool, four swimming pools and four whirlpools are just the ticket, especially the one with the swim-up pool bar. Need a break from the beach? There's plenty to do on dry land, too. Guests can choose from such land activities as table tennis, croquet, lawn chess, basketball, beach volleyball, tennis and more. The list goes on. The state-of-the-art fitness center offers the usual equipment in addition to aerobics and aqua-fit classes so there's no excuse for missing your daily workout.

[READMORE]READ MORE: Sandals Launches Fourth St. Lucia Property [/READMORE]

Dine In, Dine Around. With nine on-site restaurants, the toughest decision you'll have to make all day is "Where should we eat?" Whether you're looking for lighter fare in a relaxed setting or something decidedly more upscale, Sandals Montego Bay has it all.

Entertainment. What's a vacation without nights spent relaxing under the stars or partying the night away with four of your new best friends? Guests of the Sandals Montego Bay can take advantage of the resort's numerous open bars, and for those staying in the Concierge Suites, the in-room bar is fully stocked with top-shelf beverages. The resort, like all Sandals properties, hosts various theme nights and other fun events for guests, including the Manager's Cocktail Party. Sandals Montego Bay is also home to the Rabbit Hole, the Caribbean's first speakeasy. Say the magic words and you're back in the glamourous 1920s.

Red Lane Spa. Experience luxury at its finest with traditional European treatments provided with a unique, Caribbean-inspired flair. Body scrubs, massage and a full complement of salon services are on offer. Papaya-pineapple salt mousse scrub, anyone?


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Kristina Rundquist

Kristina Rundquist

Kristina Rundquist is an Atlanta-based freelance writer with more than 14 years experience working within the travel industry.

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