by Brian Major
Last updated: 3:30 PM ET, Wed April 15, 2015
Photo: Apple Leisure Group is opening new properties across the Caribbean, including at the Dominican Republic's Cap Cana complex. (Photo by Brian Major).
Apple Leisure Group is continuing its resort-opening march through the Caribbean. The company announced an agreement to operate and provide management, sales and marketing for the Sunset Beach Resort, Spa and Water Park in Montego Bay.
Apple's AMResorts subsidiary will renovate and re-brand the 430-room property as the Sunscape Montego Bay resort, launching the company's third Jamaican property. Renovation will begin in May, during which the resort will continue operations under its present branding. AMResorts will assume operations on August 1.
The resort is located adjacent to Apple's Secrets St. James Montego Bay and Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay resorts. Accommodations at the present Sunset Beach Resort are located in two 10-story towers. The beachfront property also features an aquatic park and an on-site casino.
The renovated Sunscape Montego Bay will be an all-inclusive property offering new facilities and amenities, including a "preferred club" area equipped with swim-out suites, according to Apple officials. "Introducing another resort brand from our portfolio in Jamaica is a testament to our strong performance record in the country," said Alex Zozaya, Apple's chief executive. "The addition of Sunscape Montego Bay allows us to further contribute to the country's continued tourism growth."
"While our adults-only resorts in Jamaica have been very successful, there was an increased desire from guests for family-friendly, premium all-inclusive options," among visitors to the country, said Javier Coll, Apple's executive vice president and chief strategy officer.
Jamaica isn't the only Caribbean destination where Apple is expanding its presence. Already this year the company has opened two new Dominican Republic resorts, Dreams Dominicus La Romana and the adults-only Secrets Cap Cana. Those launches give Apple eight properties in the Caribbean's top-drawing destination.
The company has also announced new resort openings in Aruba, Costa Rica and Mexico from 2015 through 2018. Last year, Apple launched the Breathless Punta Cana resort and also opened Dreams Sugar Bay St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
By the end of 2016, AMResorts will operate 41 resorts and 16,000 rooms in Costa Rica, Curacao, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama and St. Thomas. "Apple Leisure Group brings two out of every 10 U.S. guests to the Caribbean," said Zozaya.
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