Tag Archive for: Beaches Resorts

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Packing Essentials for Your Luxury Caribbean Escape

Picture this: You’re stepping off the plane in Jamaica, trade winds carrying the scent of tropical blooms, and you’re about to experience the epitome of Caribbean luxury. But wait – did you pack everything you need to make the most of your all-inclusive paradise?

As a luxury travel agent who’s personally explored countless resorts in the Caribbean, I’ve learned that the right packing strategy can transform a great vacation into an unforgettable one. This week, I’m heading to Jamaica to experience three incredible properties – Sandals Negril, Beaches Negril, and Sandals South Coast – and I’m sharing my insider packing wisdom with you.

Your Caribbean Wardrobe Game-Changer

The Caribbean isn’t just about throwing swimsuits in a bag. Luxury resorts like Sandals and Beaches offer a range of amenities, from beachside dining and elegant specialty restaurants to water sports, spa treatments, and casual poolside lounging, as well as sophisticated evening entertainment. Your packing list needs to match this versatility.

The Luxury Traveler’s Strategic Packing Approach

Resort-Ready Essentials

Swimwear & Beach Gear:

  • 3-4 swimsuits (quick-dry fabrics are your friend)
  • Stylish cover-ups that transition from beach to lunch
  • Wide-brimmed hat for both sun protection and Instagram-worthy shots
  • Polarized sunglasses with UV protection
  • Waterproof phone case for those underwater shots at the swim-up bar

Dining & Evening Attire:

  • Resort casual pieces: flowy dresses, linen pants, breathable button-downs
  • Smart casual options for specialty restaurants (most Sandals locations have dress codes for certain venues)
  • Comfortable yet stylish walking shoes for exploring
  • Dressy sandals for evening dining
  • Light cardigan or pashmina for air-conditioned restaurants

Adventure-Ready Items:

  • Quick-dry athletic wear for water sports and excursions
  • Reef-safe sunscreen (many Caribbean destinations are protecting their coral reefs)
  • Water shoes for rocky beaches or water activities
  • Lightweight day pack for excursions
  • Portable charger for full days of adventure

Luxury Comfort Must-Haves

Climate Control:

  • Lightweight, breathable fabrics in natural fibers
  • Moisture-wicking undergarments
  • Light rain jacket if you are venturing outside the resort (Caribbean weather can be unpredictable)
  • Cooling towel for hot days

Health & Wellness:

  • Broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen (reapply every 2 hours!)
  • After-sun aloe or moisturizer
  • Insect repellent with DEET for evening activities
  • Any prescription medications (bring extra in carry-on)
  • Basic first-aid supplies

Tech & Documentation:

  • Waterproof document holder
  • Copies of important documents stored separately
  • Universal adapter (though most resorts have USB charging stations)
  • Underwater camera or GoPro for snorkeling adventures

Insider Secrets for Elevated Caribbean Travel

Here’s what most travelers don’t know: The best-dressed guests at luxury resorts aren’t necessarily wearing the most expensive items – they’re wearing the most thoughtfully chosen pieces.

Pro Packing Tips from the Field:

  • Pack one outfit in your carry-on (flight delays happen, but your vacation shouldn’t wait)
  • Bring a small bottle of wrinkle-release spray – it’s a game-changer for linen and cotton
  • Pack a stylish beach bag that doubles as a day tote for excursions
  • Include a few versatile pieces that work for multiple occasions

The “Just in Case” Items:

  • Antacid (rich resort food can be rich)
  • Electrolyte packets (staying hydrated in the Caribbean heat is crucial)
  • Stain removal pen (because accidents happen to white linen)
  • Small sewing kit for quick fixes

For the Picture-Perfect Traveler:

  • Lightweight tripod for those sunset shots
  • Portable ring light for evening photos
  • Wrinkle-free fabrics in Instagram-worthy colors
  • A variety of accessories to change up your look without overpacking

Your Next Steps to Caribbean Paradise

The beauty of choosing Sandals or Beaches resorts lies not just in their all-inclusive luxury but in knowing that every detail has been thoughtfully curated for your comfort and enjoyment. When you pack strategically, you’re setting yourself up to fully embrace every moment, from sunrise yoga sessions to midnight dancing under the stars.

Ready to experience the Caribbean luxury I’ll be exploring this week? Whether you’re drawn to the romantic adults-only atmosphere of Sandals or the multi-generational fun of Beaches resorts, I’ll help you choose the perfect property and create an itinerary that matches your travel style.

Book your Sandals or Beaches vacation today and let me handle the details while you focus on packing for paradise.

Plus, don’t miss out on exclusive savings! Sign up for my weekly 777 emails and unlock exclusive Sandals & Beaches resort deals. Get 7% off select rooms at 7 stunning resorts every week! These limited-time offers are available for just 7 days, giving you VIP access to the Caribbean’s most luxurious escapes.

Contact me today to start planning your perfectly packed Caribbean getaway – because the right preparation makes all the difference between a good vacation and an extraordinary one.

Ready to pack your bags for paradise? Let’s make it happen.

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Three new Sandals resorts are coming to Jamaica

Sandals Resorts is converting two all-inclusive Jamaican properties, along with a land parcel in Ocho Rios, into three Sandals resort experiences under the Sandals and Beaches brands.

Sandals will convert the former Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios and the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort & Waterpark, both acquired last year, plus beachfront land adjacent to the Ocho Rios resort, into three properties: Sandals Dunn’s River; an adjacent, 250-room Sandals Royal Dunn’s River oceanfront property and a new Beaches Runaway Bay resort.

Sandals Dunn’s River will undergo a “top to bottom” renovation. Sandals Dunn’s River will offer a total of 260 rooms including 48 signature SkyPool Suites, a first for Jamaica, which will feature a private cantilevered, solar-heated plunge pool with infinity edge. 12 Swim-up Rondoval™ Suites with many featuring a “Rooftop Terrace” will also grace the property – both signature Love Nest Butler Suites® for the ultimate in privacy and service; 10 restaurants including a specialty rum bar inside the brand’s newest Latin Fusion restaurant concept Azuka and 9 bars; 7 pools including 2 river pools and Red Lane® Spa.

The sister hotels will operate in much the same manner as the concept that Sandals developed between Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, with exchange privileges between the two all-inclusive resorts. They will be offering “generous” exchange privileges between the two all-inclusive resorts, including multiple dining and amenity options.

The Runaway Bay resort, located between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, will also undergo “extensive redevelopment” becoming Beaches’ third Jamaican property. The redeveloped resort will feature 400 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom suites, designed “with extended families in mind,” said officials. Guests of Beaches Runaway Bay will have access to Runaway Bay Golf Club and its par-72, 18-hole championship golf course.

The Dunn’s River property returns to the Sandals portfolio as Sandals Dunn’s River, the same name the property utilized when Sandals first purchased the resort in 1990. “Sandals Dunn’s River holds special meaning to our family because its history is the story of Jamaica’s evolution as a travel powerhouse,” said Adam Stewart, Sandals executive chairman.

“My father grew up on the beach in Ocho Rios and this hotel, the first of its kind when it was built in the 1950s, captured the era’s glamour and sparked his imagination,” he said. “When it became available, we jumped at the chance to bring the hotel back into the Sandals fold.”

Sandals has targeted completion of the new Sandals Dunn’s River for fourth quarter 2022. Phase II is the creation of sister-property Sandals Royal Dunn’s River, which will be adjacent and offer generous exchange privileges with a slated completion in 2023.

Stewart says the new Sandals Dunn’s River was the last project he and his late father collaborated on and is an homage to the natural beauty of their beloved Jamaica, with water pulled and circulated from natural reserves and the brand’s signature suites being a prominent feature.

For additional information about these three amazing new properties, contact me today!

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