Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa welcomed celebrities, tour operators, travel agents and media to the grand opening of its new, all-suite Mediterranean Village. The three-day extravaganza kicked off Thursday 4 October with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts.

Guests were treated to an exclusive “Taste of Antigua” event featuring authentic Antigua culinary delights followed by knock-out performance by Shaggy. On Friday, guests made their way to an exotic island beach party featuring an over-the-pool concert by Grammy-award winning artist, Sean Paul. For the grand finale on Saturday, a heart-stopping fireworks display illuminated the sky over Sandals Grande Antigua as guests danced to the musical beats of one of Hollywood’s top entertainers, DJ Splyce.

 

 

 

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 4, 2007, Stewart alongside his son and CEO of Sandals Resorts, Adam Stewart, announced to agents, tour operators and media that Sandals Resorts had moved beyond the all-inclusive label. Citing an evolution of the product over its 26 -year history, the Stewarts formally announced the Caribbean resort company’s new Luxury Included? campaign.

 

 

Gordon “Butch” Stewart, chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts, at ribbon-cutting ceremony for new Mediterranean Village at Sandals Grande Antigua.

 

“This is a defining moment for Sandals Resorts. We have moved beyond the all-inclusive category and the often maligned all-inclusive connotation,” said Stewart during the grand opening celebration. The opening of the Mediterranean Village signifies and celebrates a new direction for our 26-year-old company. We are a resort company dedicated to choice, style, service and uncompromising standards.  No other Caribbean resort transforms vacation fantasies into memorable realities better than we do. We are the Luxury Included? vacation.” 

 

   

Island Beach Party on Friday, October 5 (left) and Poolside Extravaganza on Saturday, October 6 (right) during grand opening of new Mediterranean Village at Sandals Grande Antigua

 

Throughout the weekend, guests not only enjoyed the new Mediterranean Village but also had the opportunity to preview new developments across the brand that form part of the new Sandals Resorts Luxury Included? vacation experience. Highlights included: the new suites which debuted this year at Sandals Resorts in Antigua, St. Lucia and Jamaica, many featuring private plunge pools and Jacuzzis; expanded exclusive dining options; and celebrated partnerships with celebrity designers Preston Bailey and Sylvia Weinstock, Rolls Royce; the London-based Guild of Professional English Butlers, Beringer Wines, and Red Lane® Spa.

 

   

 

Perched on a west facing hilltop overlooking the sea in Antigua, Sandals Resorts’ new Mediterranean Village at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa is the first all-suite property to welcome guests for the luxury included experience with its 180 luxurious suites, the largest freshwater pool in the Eastern Caribbean, chic poolside cabanas, brand-new shopping village, four new dining options, new state-of-the-art meeting and banquet space, plus expanded Red Lane® Spa facilities. 

 

 

 

 

Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for the luxury included holiday and has been voted the World’s Best at the World Travel Awards
for 13 years in a row.
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