The all-new Sandals Dunn’s River has opened to guests as the 17th resort in the Sandals Resorts portfolio. Having debuted over 30 years ago, the 260-room Ocho Rios property is “utterly transformed” – except for the stunning stretch of white sand beach it inhabits.
On a site originally handpicked by Sandals Resorts International founder the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, the new-look all-inclusive resort features fresh culinary concepts and elevated suite designs – including the introduction of Jamaica’s first SkyPool suites – and retains its deeply personal connection to its alluring setting on the island’s north coast.
The all-new Sandals Dunn’s River has opened to guests as the 17th resort in the Sandals Resorts portfolio. Having debuted over 30 years ago, the 260-room Ocho Rios property is “utterly transformed” – except for the stunning stretch of white sand beach it inhabits.
On a site originally handpicked by Sandals Resorts International founder the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, the new-look all-inclusive resort features fresh culinary concepts and elevated suite designs – including the introduction of Jamaica’s first SkyPool suites – and retains its deeply personal connection to its alluring setting on the island’s north coast.
“Ocho Rios has been the backdrop of some of my family’s most pivotal moments, including along this very beach where my father grew up and turned a perhaps once unimaginable dream into one of the world’s most well-known hotel brands,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI) at the opening, adding, “Today, we celebrate innovation and a commitment to excellence as we unveil the next generation of Sandals Resorts in our home country of Jamaica. I cannot think of a better way to honour his legacy and acknowledge the incredible future of our brand than to welcome our very first guests to Sandals Dunn’s River. It’s great to have you home.”
The resort has been designed to reflect its Jamaican roots by embracing the essence of the destination’s rivers, lush forests, and majestic banyan trees. The source of the water that flows through Sandals Dunn’s River is from the natural reserves of the Dunn’s River Falls, from the lobby waterfalls to the cascading pools of the Red Lane Spa.
Guests will also experience the debut of the brand’s first-ever signature fragrance, which greets guests upon arrival to the open-air lobby.
Accommodations
Sandals “Firsts” on resort include Tufa Terrace SkyPool Butler Suites, a first in Jamaica with glass panel edge infinity pools spanning the length of balconies flanked by views of the Caribbean Sea.
Guests checking in to Coyaba Sky Swim-up Rondoval Butler Suites with Private Pools will find Sandals’ standalone circular villas have been thoughtfully reimagined with vast open-air rooftops from where to bask under the Ocho Rios sun and stars.
Luxurious Mammee Bay Beachfront Butler Suites feature expansive balconies that overlook the sea with privileged sunset views, and Travertine Beachfront Club Level Rooms are named after the well-known Dunn’s River Falls’ giant, natural limestone steps.
Culinary
The connection to Jamaica continues at BLUM, one of 12 new culinary concepts, while a quaint coffee outpost offers a first-of-its-kind coffee drinking experience with 25-cup cold drip towers, nitro cold brew on tap, and Modbar pour-over units.
Dunn’s Rum Club features the largest selection of rum on the island of Jamaica and any other Sandals Resort, celebrating the quintessential spirit by merging together storytelling with curated, cleverly named rum flights.
Meanwhile, the swank Lapidus Lounge pays homage to Morris Lapidus, the famed architect who designed the site’s first resort – the Arawak Hotel, and whose joyful designs epitomized 1960s Caribbean chic.
Other options include the Laughing Waters Beach Bar, Jerk Shack, plus a variety of restaurants ranging from sushi to Latin American, French and Italian.
Activities
Luxury-included option include complimentary green fees at the nearby and newly refurbished Sandals Upton Estate Golf & Country Club, diving, rafting the Martha Brae River, and nearby Sandals Dunn’s River/Falls.
“Building extraordinary resorts that make it easy for our guests to authentically experience our home countries and the people that bring these incredible places to life, is the work of Sandals Resorts,” says Stewart. “The Caribbean is wide and diverse and brimming with flavour, and fun. There is so much to discover here and we want to bring our guests closer to it all.”