Sandals Royal Bahamian delays opening until January 2022

Sandals Royal Bahamian resort will not open in November as previously stated by Sandals Resorts International (SRI) Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, but instead will open on January 27 after extensive renovations were impacted by global supply chain problems and caused a delay.

SRI released a statement this week revealing the delay, with Stewart explaining in the statement that the resort could partially open before January.

“Moving the opening date from November 4th was a very difficult decision,” said Stewart. “While we could reopen much of the resort, worldwide demand for commodities and supply chain disruptions are delaying our ability to complete the project’s full scope. Keeping this hotel under wraps until it is absolutely ready is the right thing to do. We’re in an environment of great expectation and when our guests arrive, it will be a place of Caribbean calm and cool that will definitely have been worth the wait.”

Global supply chains have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing the price of construction supplies like plywood to increase by about 300 percent and creating shortages.

The reimagined and redeveloped Sandals Royal Bahamian resort was due to reopen this November and welcome back 980 staff members to a property Stewart said is in high demand by loyal Sandals lovers. Stewart said in May that the renovations to the hotel will cost about $37 million and employ up to 500 construction workers at the height of the project. Stewart contended then that when Royal Bahamian reopens it will be the envy of hotels on New Providence, adding that bookings for the resort for the end of the year are already trending 25 to 30 percent higher than in 2019.

“When you see that kind of booking pace it says to you that we’re putting the wheels back on the bus and that’s exactly the reason we wanted to get ahead of the crowd,” said Stewart.

“This resort is going to be at the top of the Sandals food chain and be an incredible product.”

Sandals has already begun making other accommodations for guests booked at Sandals Royal Bahamian for the end of the year.

During the renovations the resort will add new river suites and refurbish more than 200 rooms and suites. The resort will also introduce a new concept called Coconut Grove, “an expansive lounge area that extends the beach vibes to the center of the resort”.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/sandals-royal-bahamian-delays-opening-until-january-2022/