SANDALS MONTEGO BAY REVIVES JAMAICA 1950s GLAM
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (March 19, 2007) "“ This month, Sandals Resorts' flagship property, Sandals Montego Bay, will unveil 59 newly refurbished rooms and suites, named the "Bay Roc Beachfront Villas," to deliver a new level of luxury to the resort and more importantly, a feel for the glamour and glitz of bygone days.
It was at the height of glamorous travel in the 1950s that many well-heeled couples flocked to Jamaica's coastline to soak up the sun and enjoy evenings of cocktails and conversation. The Bay Roc, one of the leading hotels in Montego Bay at the time, welcomed the jet-set crowd with its 66 spacious rooms and 30 privately owned cottages. However, following a lull in travel felt worldwide in the decades that followed, the Bay Roc nearly retreated into extinction. It wasn't until 1981 when Gordon "Butch" Stewart, founder and chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, recognized the hotel's exponential potential and purchased it to launch Sandals Montego Bay, the first of what was to become an empire of all-inclusive resorts across the Caribbean.
Following major investments and upgrades, Sandals Montego Bay exploded onto the scene, becoming one of the most successful resort properties in the chain. In addition to delivering a superior standard of service and amenities, Stewart also recognized the importance of embracing the property's history and old-time glamour. And so, the new collection of rooms and suites, appropriately named the "Bay Roc Beachfront Villas," located in the former privately owned cottages of the Bay Roc hotel, were refurbished to include new-age amenities but exude an old-time charm.
"When Mr. Stewart first purchased the Bay Roc in 1981, many of the resort's cottages were unavailable to us as they were still privately owned," said Horace Peterkin, general manager of Sandals Montego Bay. "We've finally been able to acquire this wonderful enclave of cottages and have refurbished them to deliver the level of luxury and rich-appointed amenities that guests of Sandals have come to enjoy and expect over the years. While the rooms have been outfitted with modern fixtures and textiles, we're proud to have captured the essence of the old Bay Roc."
The newly refurbished rooms and suites will be available in eight categories, with the resort's top two offering Sandals' exclusive Butler Service. Trained by the elite Guild of Professional English Butlers, Sandals' Butlers provide a range of services designed to pamper guests throughout their stay including unpacking and packing luggage, drawing scented bubble baths, preparing and serving delectable meals in-suite, and attending to guests' every need. The Butler suites also offer the convenience and privacy of 24-hour room service, as well as private VIP transfers to and from Sangster International Airport. The room categories within the Bay Roc Beachfront Villas offering Butler Service include:
Prime Minister's Suite (2): As might be expected for a resort's highest category suite, the two Prime Minister Suites located at Sandals Montego Bay are individually distinct and unique in design. While one suite features a sprawling sundeck, perfect for intimate dinners or sunset gazing, the other features a lush, private patio overlooking the ocean. Both suites, however, are located on the second floor of a lavish cottage and feature expansive living rooms, beautifully furnished in mahogany; grand bedrooms with four-poster mahogany beds; marble walk-in showers and Jacuzzi tubs; and two plasma televisions.
Presidential Suites (6): These exclusive ground-level suites are located on a private stretch of Montego Bay's magnificent shoreline and feature natural stepping stone patios nestled on private lawns, large living rooms, separate bedrooms with marble bathrooms and his/her sinks and two plasma televisions.
Four of the remaining categories will offer Sandals' one-of-a-kind Suite Concierge Service, which includes a dedicated concierge who can assist with requests including island tours and car rentals, preferred check-in, and in-suite amenities such as bars with premium brand wine and spirits, his and hers robes, and more. Boasting the same features and luxury as all other suites, room categories within the Bay Roc Beachfront Villas with Suite Concierge Service include:
Honeymoon Beachfront One Bedroom Suite (6): These suites are located directly on the beach, boasting large private patios and spacious living rooms separated from the grand bedrooms, which feature four-poster canopy mahogany beds, by elegant French double doors.
Honeymoon Beachfront Suite (18): With glorious views of the ocean from their living room bay windows, these 18 "junior suites" are located on the first and second floors of four of the old Bay Roc cottages. They feature large living areas, furnished with king size four-poster beds, two side tables, writing desks and chairs, armoires, and large Jacuzzi tubs with separate walk-in showers.
Honeymoon Beachfront Concierge Room (6): These secluded suites are located on the ground floor with a view of a lush garden patio. The suites feature romantic four-poster canopy mahogany beds, richly appointed furnishings, 27" plasma televisions and elegant hand-painted frescos.
Water's Edge Penthouse Concierge Room (6): Located on the ground and second floor of a lushly landscaped cottage, these suites are just a few steps away from Sandals' signature swim-up pool bar. Inside, the expansive rooms feature mahogany armoires, king size four-poster beds, 27" plasma televisions, antique lamps and Jacuzzi bathtubs.
The Bay Roc Villas will also offer guests two other glamorous room categories, including:
Grandeluxe Beachfront Room (2): Offering both ocean and garden views, these rooms feature marble bathrooms and walk-in showers, large sofas, four-poster canopy mahogany beds and 27" plasma televisions.
Luxury Room (3): Boasting lush garden views, these rooms feature a large living space with richly appointed mahogany furniture, four-poster canopy beds, elegant side tables, antique lamps and hand-painted frescos.
"The Bay Roc Villas are truly a resort within a resort," adds Peterkin. "Couples will have access to some of the most beautiful and secluded stretches of the Montego Bay coastline and after you spend some time in these villas, you can almost feel what travel must have been like in the heyday of the 1950s."
Sandals Resorts:
Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing couples with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 12 Sandals properties located in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and The Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivaled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Preston Bailey Signature WeddingMoons® and signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region. Coming in June 2007, the five-star, all suite Mediterranean Village will debut at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, offering couples in love the ultimate romantic getaway.
Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for luxury all-inclusive vacationing and has been voted the World's Best at the World Travel Awards for 13 years in a row. For more information, call your local travel agent or 1-800-Sandals (1-800-726-3257) or visit www.sandals.com.
For more on Jamaica at ITKT
