Who Owns Sandals?
Sandals is the flagship couples-only all-inclusive resort brand of Sandals Resorts International, the family-owned Jamaican company founded in 1981. It operates 17 resorts across the Caribbean. In September 2026, Royal Caribbean Group agreed to acquire a 50% stake in the parent for approximately $3 billion.
Parent Company
Founded
1981
Status
Private
Headquarters
Who Owns Sandals?
- Parent Company: Sandals Resorts International
- Ownership Type: Subsidiary
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sandals | Sandals Resorts International | Subsidiary |
History of Sandals
- Founded: 1981
- Founders: Gordon "Butch" Stewart
Butch Stewart bought the Bay Roc Hotel on a Montego Bay beach in 1981 and converted it into Sandals Montego Bay, the Caribbean's first couples-only all-inclusive resort. The model packaged rooms, meals, drinks, and activities into a single price aimed at honeymooners.
Expansion followed across Jamaica and into Saint Lucia, the Bahamas, Antigua, Grenada, Barbados, Curaçao, Turks and Caicos, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The brand introduced signature features including the Caribbean's first swim-up bar in 1984.
The Beaches family brand launched in 1996, extending the model to all ages. Sandals marked 40 years in 2021, the same year Butch Stewart died and Adam Stewart became chairman. The September 2026 Royal Caribbean agreement is the first time outside capital has owned part of the brand.
About Sandals Resorts International
What does Sandals Resorts International own?
SRI owns and operates Sandals couples resorts, Beaches family resorts, Fowl Cay private island, and related villa properties across nine Caribbean destinations.
Is Sandals Resorts International publicly traded?
No. The company is privately held by the Stewart family. Royal Caribbean agreed in September 2026 to buy a 50% stake, but no public shares exist.
Who founded Sandals?
Gordon "Butch" Stewart founded the company in 1981, opening Sandals Montego Bay as the first property.
Where is Sandals Resorts International headquartered?
The company is headquartered in Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica.
Who owns Sandals Resorts?
The Stewart family owns the company. Royal Caribbean Group agreed in September 2026 to acquire a 50% stake for approximately $3 billion, pending closing in early 2027.
Did Royal Caribbean buy Sandals?
Royal Caribbean agreed to buy 50% of Sandals Resorts International for approximately $3 billion in September 2026. The Stewart family retains the other 50%, and the deal had not closed as of October 1, 2026.
- Founded: 1981
- Headquarters: Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Employees: ~10,000
Where Is Sandals Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica
Sandals Categories & Tags
Sandals Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Category-defining brand in couples all-inclusive
- +Four decades of family stewardship and Caribbean identity
- +Royal Caribbean partnership adds capital and marketing scale
- +Vertically integrated guest experience
Considerations
- -Hurricane exposure across island portfolio
- -Joint control introduces a second decision-making party
- -Luxury positioning is sensitive to US consumer spending
- -Private status limits financial transparency
Frequently Asked Questions About Sandals
Sources & Further Reading
- Sandals,
- Sandals Resorts International company profile, /companies/sandals-resorts-international
- Royal Caribbean Group investor relations,
Competitors to Sandals
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Sandalsoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
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