The Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa in St. Thomas has finally made up its mind.
After years of drifting between all-inclusive with a room-only option to room-only with an all-inclusive option, it’s now official: On July 1, the 300-room resort near Red Hook on the island’s east end is all-inclusive. That’s it. Nothing else. There are no other options.
When Sugar Bay reopened in December 1996 following a 14-month closure after Hurricane Marilyn in 1995, it did so as an all-inclusive, but introduced a room-only European Plan (EP) option in May 2003.
In the last seven years, plans have fluctuated between EP and all-inclusive. The only other property on St. Thomas currently offering an all-inclusive option is Bolongo Bay Beach Club.
"Demand from budget-conscious guests in the last year or so dictated the owners’ decision to go all-inclusive at this time," said Sharlene Brenkus, Wyndham’s director of sales and marketing.
"The property basically has shifted between EP and all-inclusive for the last several years. We have a new team in place with lots of experience in the all-inclusive market."
Kashmie Ali, the resort's general manager, said, "It’s exciting to become the only fully-inclusive property on St. Thomas. "As such, we have high standards to maintain for our guests. We’re working hard to exceed expectations by increasing value for the all-inclusive experience."
All-inclusive rates through Aug. 22 start at $405 per room, per night, double; a second room is $201 per night.
Stays from Aug. 23 through September start at $387 per night for the first room and $193 for a second. Brenkus said that those rates "probably will be extended until mid-December."
Kids 12 and under who a share a room with parents stay, play and eat from the children’s menu at no additional charge.
Wyndham Sugar Bay’s new all-inclusive plan covers accommodations, food, beverages by the glass, entertainment, half-day access to the supervised kids’ club and activities that include snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, miniature golf and family movie nights.
Guests will continue to wear bracelets identifying them as all-inclusive guests, even though all of the guests after July 1 will fall into that category.
Guests holding reservations now for EP resort stays after July 1 will be accommodated with opt-in meal plans, if requested.
No name change is contemplated for the resort, although renovation plans are in the works to upgrade some of the facilities, enhance the food-and-beverage operations and add a couple of restaurants to the current four.