Sandals owner and founder Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has announced that there will be initiating a US$49 million expansion to the groups Antigua property located on the islands renowned Dickenson Bay. There are aspirations of Antigua tourism officials that the move will push Antigua into the high-end destination market.

The extension will be styled on a Mediterranean theme and will incorporate the construction of 150 rooms and suites spanning some five/six acres of land directly next to the existing 193-room hotel.

Speaking at a recent press conference Mr. Stewart said “This extension is very much a 150-room hotel on its own.”

It will be coined the Mediterranean village and will feature its own check in and restaurants.

Plans for the upgrade and expansion were actually announced last year but were pushed back due to design alterations.

Construction will begin this April and should be completed by September 2006.

Also speaking at the conference the island’s tourism minister, Harold Lovell said; “We wish to promote Antigua and Barbuda as a mid to up-market destination and when we hear the cost per room (for this project) then we know we are talking about quality and that’s what we’re trying to promote.”

Butch added to this sentiment; “We could have built 300 rooms for the same money.”

Sandals has been the recipient of numerous World Travel Awards over the years including in the 2004 Awards; Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Group, Antigua and Bahamas’ Leading Spa Resorts and Caribbean’s Leading Family All-Inclusive.
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