Sandals Grande Riviera Enhanced to
the Tune of $25 Million
By Mark Rogers

Sandals Resorts International is in the midst of celebrating its 30th anniversary. Three decades ago the company took off like a shot and never looked back. As part of its anniversary celebration, Sandals undertook a $25 million development project at Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort. 

Named one of the top hotels in the Caribbean by Conde Nast Traveler’s annual 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards, Sandals Grande Riviera is set on over a hundred acres of rolling hillside and tropical gardens in Ocho Rios on the North Coast of Jamaica. This region of Jamaica has a special place in Sandals Chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s heart; he grew up on this coast, fishing and sailing its waters as a young boy. In fact, on the grounds of Sandals Grande Riviera, the piano bar is built where once stood Butch’s grandmother's home.

On the completion of the $25 million development, return guests will notice a real difference. Added features at the adult couples-only resort include an upgraded and renovated Riviera Seaside pool area that includes increased deck space for lounging and the addition of a new Jacuzzi.  Additional cabanas will also be added to the Riviera Great House pool, complete with the service of a personal butler for guests in select suites.

Sandals Grande Riviera has premiered a boardwalk lounge at the Riviera Beach Club complete with stylish outdoor furniture and a chic-vibe.  Flanked by the Caribbean Sea, the boardwalk area features a series of romantic fire pits, as well as an upgraded observation deck on the pier, perfect for couples to appreciate the view. For guests who prefer to spend their time at the beach, additional cabanas have been added to the Beach Club, with full-service butler service for guests in select suites providing fresh fruits, drinks and fulfilling requests from guests.

All suites within the resort’s exclusive Riviera Villas, found tucked into the lush mountainside, will now enjoy 24-hour room service.  To complete the renovations within the Riviera Villas, the private pools which adorn many of the suites will also be updated and include new patio furniture. Rooms and suites within both the Riviera Villas and Riviera Seaside sides of the resort have also received new soft furnishings, mahogany furniture, upgraded bathroom fixtures, iPod docking stations and plasma TVs.

Guests at Sandals Grande Riviera presently enjoy 14 culinary options - more than any other resort in Jamaica. This also includes Soy, a brand-new sushi bar. There are also nine different bars scattered around the resort, from casual sports bars to elegant piano lounges.

Three Vacations in One

Gently nestled between the St. Ann’s mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Sandals Grande Riviera is designed to offer guests three distinct vacations in one. This trio of experiences is comprised of the elegant sophistication and vibrant beach culture of the Riviera Seaside, the plantation feel of the Riviera Great House and the exclusive and chic Riviera Villas nestled along the lush mountainside. The property has a natural spring that supplies the entire resort; secret gardens with hidden hammocks and private cabanas, and brooks and waterfalls that flow throughout.

The 529 rooms and suites resort has two full service Red Lane Spas offering natural and organic products, signature treatments, complimentary steam rooms and plunge pools. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness center with Lifefitness equipment.

Rounding out the features at the Sandals Grande Riviera are three white-sand beaches, seven main swimming pools, and nearby access to one of the Caribbean’s finest golf courses, Sandals Golf and Country Club, with green fees, unlimited rounds and transfers included.

www.sandals.com

Sandals Resorts International is a company with a heart. The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International, with a mission statement comprised of three basic aims: Our Community, Our Education, Our Environment. Sandals Foundation was a recent presence at Sandals Grande Riviera. Guests at the resort with a will to help pitched in and worked hand-in-hand cleaning the beach with Sandals managers, team members and members of the fishing communit.

As reported by the Jamaica Gleaner, Bud and Kathy Jordan, from Texas, USA were on their ninth visit to Sandals Grande Riviera and said they were very happy to be a part of the beach-cleaning exercise.

"This is the first time we have been invited out on a community effort like this and we are quite happy to be a part of this amazing experience," said Bud.  "We just love Jamaica and its people and this is just our small way of giving back to the community. We certainly wish we could do more - we are happy to holiday with a company that gives back."