British travellers excited – about Grenada as the new Sandals destination

There are indications that British travellers are delighted about Grenada becoming the “Ultimate New Sandals Destination” as the island prepares for the December opening of the property, which will
be called Sandals LaSource.

Mr. Karl Thompson, who is the Managing Director of Unique Vacations which works on behalf of Sandals International, told Tourism Minister Alexandria Otway-Noel during her trip to London last week that Grenada has always been a pop-ular choice for the UK market, but the number of people that have booked since they went on sale has been phenomenal.

Minister of Tourism, Alexandria Otway-Noel, with the Sandals team.

“On the first day of our highly publicised annual sale, 28 per cent of all bookings were for Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort & Spa. The resort is currently our best seller and we expect it to become one of the best sellers year round, as people fall in love with the exceptional resort and stunning island,” Thompson informed Minister Otway-Noel.

A statement from the Grenada Board of Tourism said that Otway-Noel was reportedly pleased to pledge the full support of her team, both in Grenada and in the UK. “Working with the world famous Sandals in the UK will help us to secure additional flights, thereby focusing the world’s spotlight on our beautiful spice island, resulting in more visitors booking not just Sandals, but our other high quality boutique hotels and resorts,” she said.

In November 2012 Sandals Resorts International (SRI), parent company of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resort and Grand Pineapple Beach Resort, announced that it purchased LaSource and since then a transformation has begun on the property once owned by Liberty Club and developer, Leon Taylor.

Initially, it was the desire of Sandals chairman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart and his team to reopen the property in December 2012, but following an inspection of the property, it was agreed that a full transformation will be better before any guests can check in at Sandals LaSource.

The new design property will have more than 100 rooms added to the existing room count. Guests will have a selection of more than 200 guestrooms, private cottages and suites.

More than EC$70 million is expected to be invested into the construction and renovation as the SRI team seeks to make its latest investment be a reflection of standards within the Caribbean properties.

“This project will end up being a five-star and if there is a six, we will head there too,” Stewart told the media recently. (LS)