CASTRIES, St. Lucia -- St. Lucia's newest resort welcomed its first
guests in late September, following a $10 million renovation and
re-do.
The low-rise, 280-room Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach
Resort, the third Sandals property on St. Lucia, joined Sandals St.
Lucia Golf Resort & Spa and Sandals Halcyon Beach St.
Lucia.
Sandals bought the 17-acre former Hyatt Regency St. Lucia in
May. It is located on an isthmus between Rodney Bay and Pigeon
Island National Park on the island's northwestern tip, six miles
from this seaport capital.
The resort fronts a wide stretch of beach and offers views of
Martinique, 21 miles to the north.
A company spokesman said renovations and expansions included an
upgrade of rooms and public areas; expansion of three restaurants
and construction of a Caribbean-themed restaurant; modernization of
the engineering systems; and an upgrade of the business center.
Also added were two piano bars; a kitchen; an entertainment
area; wedding gazebos; a sunset tower lounge with a British pub,
billiards and snooker areas; and three swimming pools, including an
11,000-square-foot pool with a swim-up bar and Jacuzzi and a scuba
certification pool.
To entice the corporate market, the resort has more than 20,000
square feet of meetings space.
Although the couples-only resort opened without a casino, the
possibility of developing one has not been ruled out, according to
a spokesman. The former Hyatt property had allocated 10,000 square
feet for a casino; Sandals is using that space for group
functions.
Nightly inclusive rack rates start at $290 per person, double,
but an introductory 35% discount is offered on stays of three or
more nights this fall.
Rates cover accommodations, transfers, all meals, unlimited
premium grand drinks, land and water sports.
The 280 rooms include 10 one-bedroom suites and 24 swim-up
rooms, literally at lagoon's edge.
Concierge services feature an in-room stocked bar, robes and
24-hour room service.
Sandals Grande's amenities mirror those at its sister
properties, including continental breakfast service; golf at nearby
Sandals St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa, with complimentary
transfers and greens fees; and use of the 4,000-square-foot fitness
center, with complimentary sauna, whirlpool and steam bath. Spa
services are extra.
A Stay at One, Play at Three plan enables guests to sample the
facilities of all three Sandals' resorts on St. Lucia, including a
total of 14 restaurants in the dining exchange program.
For information, visit Sandals at www.sandals.com or
call (800) SANDALS.