Sandals / Beaches updates!

[islandbride317]

Of couse, but....You're so welcome!

 

And thanks for letting me know about the OTW suites at Sandal Grande St. Lucia!

 

Oh and btw, I had a mini-honeymoon just after my wedding (which took place at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios) at Sandal Royal Caribbean and I was truly LESS than impressed with that resort, which we paid MORE money to stay at for 3 nights than we did for 4 nights at SGOR!

 

BOTH my husband and I were more delighted with most everything at SGOR when comparing the two within the same week! Just our opinion....

[JenniferSS]

Sandals is estimating that the OTW bugalows won't be ready for at least a year and a half to two years so unfortunately it won't work for next May .

 

Islandbride- The two resorts are like night & day! Sandals Grande Ocho Rios is far more active and vibrant and attracts peopel of all ages. It tends to be a bit more casual.

 

Sandals Royal Caribbean tends to be much quieter, catering to couples that are more to themselves and older. It's not stuffy but definately more reserved.

[kimberly333]

Hi Jenifer,

When are the renovations expected to be done at Sandy Bay?

[JenniferSS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimberly333 Hi Jenifer, When are the renovations expected to be done at Sandy Bay?

They didn't give us a timeline- I'm sure I'll hear more over the next few months! I know that typically rennovations are done in the fall during the slower months but it apperas that this may be a really large project soooooo it's hard to say whenther they will be taking out entire room blocks at a time or just doing a floor at a time!

[BeachBride83]

Wait, they are doing renvoations at Beaches Sandy Bay? My TA did not tell me this! Oh no, I am worried! I am getting married at Beaches Negril next may but have prob half my wedding (maybe 40 people) expected to stay at Sandy Bay. Is this going to be a problem?? What are they doing renovations on Are there any renovations scheduled at Beaches Negril I should know about I am worried now!

[kimberly333]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachBride83 Wait, they are doing renvoations at Beaches Sandy Bay? My TA did not tell me this! Oh no, I am worried! I am getting married at Beaches Negril next may but have prob half my wedding (maybe 40 people) expected to stay at Sandy Bay. Is this going to be a problem?? What are they doing renovations on Are there any renovations scheduled at Beaches Negril I should know about I am worried now!

That's a really good question. I'm getting married in Oct. but, now I wonder how long will the renovation take?

[BeachBride83]

Ok, I am so confused. TA Jenifer-I am so sorry that I missed the initial post of your explaining all the new changes. I see that now. However, I just asked my TA and one of the TA's on the fbook page about the renovations at Sandy Bay and both had the same answer-That they are always working to upgrade the soft goods in the rooms (bedding, drapes, furniture) but no actual construction at any of the Beaches anywhere!

 

I am so confused now....

[JenniferSS]

The TA's on facebook are just regular TA's- no different than any other Certified Sandals Specialist nor do they have any special insider knowledge that any other Ta wouldn't have access to. The staus level of Gold, Silver, or Platinum Sandals agent just reflects how many bookings they have had over the course of the last 15 years or so. Personally I am a Platinum agent but it is more of a designation within Sandals so I do not use it to advertise my services.

 

Basically ANY TA can get on the Sandals Facebook page and answer questions-I haven't as I am busy enough here. It is likely that they missed the announcement or haven't attended their yearly training yet to get the news~!

 

At any rate Sandals announced that they are spending a boat load of money doing upgrades and rennovations at Beaches Sandy Bay and at Boscabel- they haven't elaborated any more than that at this time. They have not announced exactly what the rennovations and upgrades will be, if it will include major or minor rennovations- in the rooms, public spaces or it could even be something behind the scenes such as kitchen rennovations or adjustments to comply with theiroing green initiative- nor have they provided a timeline. All they have said is that they have delegated lots and lots of moolah for both sandy Bay and also lots & lots of moolah to boscabel!

 

Yes, as with all resorts, there are soft good refurbishments continually but with the $$ amounts that are being discussed my guess would be that it would also include some larger projects- again I am not sure what the projects may be as of yet! What I personally would like to see at sandy bay - new bathrooms in the rooms with jetted tubs, family suites like at Beaches Turks & Caicos(!), a brand new childrens facility...... just to start .

 

 

Just to ease your mind though I can share that typically when they do any major work they adjust it so that guests are not inconvienanced or they upgrade them to the sister property- ie Beaches Sandy Bay could be upgraded to Beaches Negril, or if they are an adult couple, possibly Sandals Negril. I would advise for your TA to keep tabs on the situation and be sure that all of the guests are noted as your wedding guests.

 

Sandy bay is set into room blocks and my assumption is if they are doing anything large scale they would close out certain blocks to work on just as they did when they worked on Sandals Halcyon in St. Lucia last year. They also blocked everything off so that it did not look like a construction zone! Boscabel is a large enough and a tiered property that rennovations in one section would also be easy enough to do. Please keep in mind that this is my assumption IF they plan on doing major work- which I really really hope that they do !

[kimberly333]

Thanks TA Jenifer for sharing what you know and shedding some light on the reno's scheduled.

[JenniferSS]

Your welcome- sorry I didn't have additional details but when I do I'll let you know!