Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is taking advantage of the forced closure of three of its Jamaican properties after Hurricane Melissa to give the resorts a comprehensive “Sandals 2.0 transformation” that is more extensive than originally intended. The US$200-million reimagining of Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean, and is now underway with the resorts due to open Nov. 18, Dec. 18 and Dec. 18 respectively.
Following Melissa last fall, Sandals reopened five of its eight Jamaica properties in December 2025, but the three remaining resorts remained closed for assessment. As restoration efforts advanced on the three resorts, the company says it identified an opportunity to undertake a more comprehensive transformation.
As a result, the original re-opening dates have been pushed back to Nov. 18 for Sandals South Coast, followed by both Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay on Dec. 18.
“The opportunity to completely reimagine three resorts at this scale, with full focus and without compromising the guest experience, is extraordinarily rare.” stated Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “With our doors closed, we were given something we almost never have in hospitality, a true blank canvas and having that clarity changed everything.
“We spent time walking the properties, speaking with our team and thinking about our guests. At a pivotal moment, it became clear: we shouldn’t simply restore what was there. We should dream bigger. When we welcome our guests back, they’ll see the transformation and they’ll feel exactly why we chose to use this moment to create something worthy of their loyalty.”
The reimagining will unfold across many aspects of the guest experience, from striking new arrival moments overlooking the Caribbean Sea to new accommodation categories, redesigned pools, and refreshed lounge and social spaces. Culinary offerings will also expand with the introduction of new dining concepts and bar experiences across each resort.
SRI further emphasized that all other resorts in Jamaica continue to operate and welcome guests, including Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ochi, Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Negril, and Beaches Negril.
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