There are three all-inclusive resorts that are not even open right now, but we are already booking them for our clients. That might sound a little unusual. Why would you book a resort you can’t even visit yet?
Because these aren’t three brand-new resorts waiting to make their debut. They’re three iconic Sandals Resorts in Jamaica that are undergoing major transformations before welcoming guests back later this year.
Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay and the former Sandals Royal Caribbean, soon to reopen as Sandals Caribbean Cay, are part of a $200 million investment by Sandals Resorts International. But the story of how they got here actually began months earlier.
Why Are These Three All-Inclusive Resorts Closed?
In fall 2025, Hurricane Melissa impacted Jamaica. Following the storm, Sandals Resorts International conducted assessments of its eight resorts across the island. Five Sandals and Beaches properties were able to reopen in December 2025 after debris clearing, landscaping and repair work were completed.
Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast had experienced more significant impacts and required a longer timeline. Initially, Sandals announced plans for the three properties to undergo an accelerated enhancement program and reopen in May 2026.
But those plans grew into something much bigger. As restoration progressed, Sandals identified an opportunity to go beyond repairing and refreshing the resorts and instead undertake a more comprehensive transformation of all three properties. The result is a $200 million reimagination that Sandals says is part of its larger “Sandals 2.0” vision.
So when these three all-inclusive resorts reopen, travelers won’t simply be returning to the resorts they knew before the storm. They’ll be experiencing their next chapters. And that’s exactly why we’re already paying attention to them.
What Will These All-Inclusive Resorts Be Like When They Reopen?
The three properties will return with new accommodations, restaurants, bars, pools and experiences, with a greater emphasis on Jamaica’s culture, cuisine and natural beauty. But the most interesting part isn’t simply what’s new. It’s that each resort is being reimagined differently.
Sandals South Coast isn’t trying to become Sandals Montego Bay. Sandals Montego Bay isn’t trying to become Sandals Caribbean Cay. Each offers a distinctly different way to experience Jamaica, which is why choosing between them should be about much more than comparing room prices.
Let’s look at what’s coming.
Sandals South Coast: Nature, Space and a Slower Side of Jamaica
Reopening November 18, 2026
Sandals South Coast already has something that can’t simply be designed into a resort: its setting. Located in Whitehouse along Jamaica’s south coast, the resort is surrounded by a 500-acre protected nature reserve. It’s lush, expansive, and noticeably removed from the busier atmosphere of Jamaica’s more developed resort areas.
The reimagining is leaning even further into that natural setting, enhancing what already makes Sandals South Coast such a distinctive way to experience Jamaica.
What's New at Sandals South Coast?
Guests can expect refreshed resort spaces, lush new landscaping inspired by the surrounding nature reserve, and a redesigned waterfront pool experience. New dining experiences are also coming, including Butch’s Island Chophouse and Blum Coffee Bar.
One of the additions our clients are particularly interested in is Sandals’ first-ever double queen room concept. Traditionally, Sandals has been closely associated with couples, but these new accommodations with two queen beds, living space, and spacious balconies overlooking the ocean, create an exciting option for friends who want to experience an adults-only all-inclusive resort without sharing a bed or booking separate rooms. This new room category is especially appealing for girls’ trips, bachelorette getaways, and guests attending a destination wedding at the resort.
For travelers looking for an entirely different level of experience, Sandals South Coast’s iconic Overwater Butler Villas will remain part of the resort.
Who Will Love Sandals South Coast?
For travelers who want to truly get away from it all, Sandals South Coast is an ideal choice. This resort is especially well suited for those who value nature, space, beautiful surroundings, and a slower pace. It’s an excellent option for romantic getaways and celebrations, while the new room configurations also make South Coast a wonderful choice for an adults-only friends’ getaway.
It’s a quieter, more peaceful side of Jamaica rather than a high-energy experience and for the right traveler, that’s exactly the appeal
Sandals Montego Bay: Where the Sandals Story Began
Reopening December 18, 2026
Sandals Montego Bay isn’t just another Sandals Resort. It’s the original Sandals Resort, the place where the Sandals story began. That history makes its transformation particularly special.
Rather than erasing the character and history of this iconic resort to create something completely different, Sandals is thoughtfully incorporating pieces of its past into the experience while giving the property an exciting new chapter.
What's New at Sandals Montego Bay?
One of the biggest transformations is the resort’s pool and beachfront experience. The main pool is being completely redesigned, and the historic swim-up bar will become part of the new Parisol Beach Club.
One detail we especially love is that the original bricks surrounding the swim-up bar, many inscribed over the years by guests, are being preserved and incorporated into the reimagined experience. It may seem like a small detail, but it speaks to what makes this transformation special: moving the resort forward without forgetting where it started.
Food and drinks will also play a significant role in the new experience. Buccan is coming to the resort in a new waterfront setting, bringing Jamaican ingredients and open-fire cooking to the shoreline. The new Bay Roc Rum Club will draw inspiration from the property’s history as Bay Roc Hotel & Villas while celebrating Caribbean rum, music, and Jamaican culture.
New and refreshed accommodations will also be part of the transformation, giving guests even more ways to experience the reimagined Sandals Montego Bay.
Who Will Love Sandals Montego Bay?
Sandals Montego Bay is an ideal choice for travelers looking for a more energetic atmosphere. Think beachfront activities, cocktails by the pool, incredible dining, music, and plenty happening throughout the resort.
There’s also something special about staying at the resort where the Sandals story began, particularly as this iconic property enters such an exciting new chapter. Its convenient Montego Bay location is another advantage, allowing travelers to transition from the airport to vacation mode relatively quickly.
Sandals Caribbean Cay: More Than a New Name
Reopening December 18, 2026
This transformation may surprise longtime Sandals guests the most. Sandals Royal Caribbean isn’t simply reopening, it’s becoming Sandals Caribbean Cay.
The new name comes with a reimagined identity, new accommodations, new dining experiences, and an expanded experience centered around one of the property’s most distinctive features: its private offshore island.
What's New at Sandals Caribbean Cay?
The resort’s connection to the water is becoming an even bigger part of the experience. The main pool is being reimagined, accommodations are being upgraded, and Sandals has announced additional room concepts as part of the transformation.
But we’re particularly excited about what’s happening offshore. The resort’s private island, Sandals Cay, will feature the new Parisol Beach Club, complete with a pool, swim-up bar, Jerk Shack, entertainment, and cabanas. Guests can take the boat over to the island and spend the day moving between the Caribbean Sea, pool, cabana, and jerk chicken without needing to be anywhere else.
The culinary experience is changing, too. Suppa is a new restaurant inspired by the Jamaican tradition of Sunday dinner, the kind of meal centered around family, conversation, and gathering around the table. Before dinner, Keynote Rum Bar will offer Caribbean rums and light bites in a more intimate setting.
And one of the resort’s biggest wow factors isn’t going anywhere. The Overwater Butler Villas will remain part of the Sandals Caribbean Cay experience.
Who Will Love Sandals Caribbean Cay?
Sandals Caribbean Cay is an ideal choice for travelers who want the resort itself to feel like part of the adventure. With the main resort, an offshore private island, overwater accommodations, Jamaican-inspired dining, and plenty of opportunities to spend the day around the water, the experience extends far beyond simply having a beautiful place to stay.
For honeymoons and anniversaries? Absolutely. But this resort isn’t limited to romantic celebrations. It’s also a wonderful fit for milestone getaways, friends traveling together, or anyone looking for an elevated adults-only Caribbean escape with memorable experiences built right into the resort.
LET’S START PLANNING. YOUR SANDALS ESCAPE AWAITS.
Ready to Plan Your Sandals getaway?
Let Compass Rose Leisure® handle every detail, from selecting the right Sandals resort and room category to flights, transfers, excursions, and special experiences. You deserve a Sandals vacation that feels seamless, personalized, and completely stress-free.
Sandals Isn't Just for Honeymoons
Sandals is often closely associated with honeymoons and destination weddings, but that can create a much narrower picture of the experiences these resorts actually offer.
Absolutely, Sandals is an incredible choice for honeymoons, anniversaries, and destination weddings. It’s also a beautiful setting for a proposal, with endless ways to create a memorable moment from a romantic beachfront proposal or private dinner to a sunset catamaran cruise or even an underwater proposal while diving.
But you certainly don’t need to be newly engaged, newly married, or celebrating an anniversary to enjoy a Sandals vacation. These resorts can be a wonderful fit for couples simply ready for time away together, empty nesters looking to reconnect, milestone birthdays, groups of friends, golf or pickleball groups, girls’ getaways, and travelers who appreciate the ease of an adults-only all-inclusive experience.
The introduction of double queen accommodations at Sandals South Coast is a perfect example of how the Sandals experience continues to appeal to a broader range of adult travelers.
The question isn’t “Am I a honeymooner?” The better question is:
“What do I want to celebrate or experience?”
Which of These All Inclusive Resorts Is Right for You?
That’s where choosing a resort becomes much more personal. If your idea of vacation is quiet, nature, and getting away from everything, start with Sandals South Coast. If you want energy, history, beachfront fun, and a more social atmosphere, look at Sandals Montego Bay. If you’re drawn to a private island, overwater luxury, and experiences that feel a little different, consider Sandals Caribbean Cay.
Even after choosing the resort, there’s still the question of room category. Two couples can stay at the exact same resort and have very different experiences depending on the location of their room, the view, amenities included, and the level of service they select.
That’s why we don’t believe choosing between all-inclusive resorts should simply come down to scrolling through photos and picking the room with the prettiest picture. It should start with understanding how you want your vacation to feel.
Discover Your Sandals Resort Match
Curious Which Sandals Resort Is the Perfect Match for You?
With 17 Sandals Resorts throughout the Caribbean, each offering its own setting, atmosphere, and experiences, there’s a lot to choose from! Take our Find Your Perfect Sandals Resort Quiz for a little vacation inspiration and discover which resort may match your travel style. Then, let our Certified Sandals Specialists take it from there, helping you choose the right resort, room category, and experiences to create a vacation designed around you.
Why We're Booking These Resorts Before They Reopen
Reservations are already available, and waiting until the doors reopen could mean missing out on the dates or room category that best fits your trip. Sandals South Coast is currently accepting reservations for stays beginning November 18, 2026, while Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Caribbean Cay are accepting reservations beginning December 18, 2026.
At Compass Rose Leisure®, we’re already booking these resorts for our clients because we understand the importance of planning ahead. Booking early provides a better opportunity to secure preferred travel dates and the room categories that best fit the experience they’re envisioning. It can also be important when it comes to value. Sandals pricing and promotions can change, and availability within desirable room categories may become more limited as travel dates approach.
Whether planning a honeymoon, anniversary, winter escape, girls’ getaway, or simply a much-needed Caribbean vacation, there’s no reason to wait until reopening day to start planning. But booking early is only part of the equation. A resort being newly reimagined and exciting doesn’t automatically make it the right choice.
The destination, resort, room category, location, amenities, and overall atmosphere should all align with the experience each traveler wants. The goal isn’t simply to book early. It’s to book the right experience at the right time.
As Certified Sandals Specialists, we help you navigate the differences between resorts, room categories, locations, and inclusions to find the experience that best fits your travel style and priorities. With firsthand knowledge, specialized training, and in-depth knowledge of Sandals Resorts, we take the guesswork out of choosing and help you plan your vacation or celebration with confidence, from selecting the right resort and room to preparing for your trip.
As Certified Sandals Specialists, we have extensive training and in-depth knowledge of Sandals Resorts, from the differences between each resort to room categories, amenities, inclusions, and experiences. We use that expertise to guide you through the choices, recommend the options that best fit your travel style, and help you plan your Sandals vacation or celebration with confidence.
A New Chapter for Three Iconic All Inclusive Resorts
What began with the closure of three resorts following Hurricane Melissa has become something much bigger. Sandals is investing $200 million into transforming three of its best-known Jamaican properties, with each returning while maintaining the personality that makes it distinct.
Sandals South Coast will lean further into nature and the beauty of Jamaica’s quieter coast. Sandals Montego Bay will honor the history of the original Sandals while creating a new beachfront experience. And the former Sandals Royal Caribbean will begin an entirely new chapter as Sandals Caribbean Cay, with its private island playing an even greater role in the experience.
Three all-inclusive resorts. Three very different vacations. And none of them are even open yet. But yes, we’re already booking them for our clients!
At Compass Rose Leisure®, we don’t simply book a resort. We help you determine which destination, resort, room category, and experience best fit the vacation you actually want to have.
LET’S START PLANNING. YOUR SANDALS ESCAPE AWAITS.
Ready to Plan Your Sandals getaway?
Let Compass Rose Leisure® handle every detail, from selecting the right Sandals resort and room category to flights, transfers, excursions, and special experiences. You deserve a Sandals vacation that feels seamless, personalized, and completely stress-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Sandals South Coast reopen?
Sandals South Coast is scheduled to reopen on November 18, 2026, and reservations are already available for future stays. The reimagined resort will feature refreshed spaces, new landscaping inspired by the surrounding nature reserve, updated dining experiences, and other enhancements.
When will Sandals Montego Bay reopen?
Sandals Montego Bay is scheduled to reopen on December 18, 2026, and is currently accepting future reservations. The original Sandals Resort will return with a completely redesigned pool experience, refreshed spaces, and new dining concepts, including Buccan.
What happened to Sandals Royal Caribbean?
Sandals Royal Caribbean is being reimagined and will reopen under a new name: Sandals Caribbean Cay. The resort is scheduled to welcome guests beginning December 18, 2026, with refreshed spaces, a reimagined pool, new dining concepts, and enhancements to its private island experience.
When will Sandals Caribbean Cay open?
Sandals Caribbean Cay, formerly Sandals Royal Caribbean, is scheduled to open on December 18, 2026. Reservations are already available for stays beginning after the reopening date.
Can you book Sandals South Coast, Sandals Montego Bay, and Sandals Caribbean Cay now?
Yes. All three resorts are currently accepting reservations for future stays. Sandals South Coast can be booked for stays beginning November 18, 2026, while Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Caribbean Cay can be booked for stays beginning December 18, 2026.
What is new at Sandals South Coast?
Sandals South Coast is being reimagined with refreshed resort spaces, new landscaping inspired by its surrounding nature reserve, updated dining experiences, and an enhanced connection to the natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere of Jamaica’s south coast.
What is new at Sandals Montego Bay?
Sandals Montego Bay will reopen with a completely redesigned pool experience, refreshed resort spaces, and new dining concepts, including Buccan. The transformation is also designed to preserve the history and beachfront character of the original Sandals Resort.
What is new at Sandals Caribbean Cay?
Sandals Caribbean Cay will introduce refreshed resort spaces, a reimagined pool experience, new dining concepts, and enhancements to the resort’s private island. The private island will remain an important part of the experience when the former Sandals Royal Caribbean reopens as Sandals Caribbean Cay.
Continue Exploring with Compass Rose Leisure®
Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic escape for two or an unforgettable Caribbean vacation with the entire family, there’s always another beautiful experience waiting to be discovered.
Continue exploring our travel guides for expert insights, resort inspiration, and thoughtful planning advice from creating the perfect honeymoon or couples getaway to discovering the newest luxury family accommodations at Beaches Turks & Caicos.
Whatever you’re dreaming of next, Compass Rose Leisure® is here to help you turn it into a thoughtfully planned, seamless vacation.
