Following a grand opening celebration, the all-new 260-room Sandals Dunn’s River has opened as the 17th resort in the Sandals Resorts portfolio.

Located on a stretch of white sand beach -- a site originally handpicked by Sandals Resorts International founder the late Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart when the first Sandals Dunn’s River debuted over 30 years ago -- today’s Sandals Dunn’s River offers a completely new experience.

“Ocho Rios has been the backdrop of some of my family’s most pivotal moments, including along this very beach where my father grew up and turned a perhaps once unimaginable dream into one of the world’s most well-known hotel brands,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI).

“Today, we celebrate innovation and a commitment to excellence as we unveil the next generation of Sandals Resorts in our home country of Jamaica. I cannot think of a better way to honour his legacy and acknowledge the incredible future of our brand than to welcome our very first guests to Sandals Dunn’s River. It’s great to have you home.”

Sandals Dunn’s River is designed to embrace the essence of the destination’s rivers, lush forests, and majestic banyan trees. The source of the water that flows through Sandals Dunn's River is from the natural reserves of the Dunn's River Falls, from the lobby waterfalls to the cascading pools of the Red Lane Spa.

Guests will also experience the debut of the brand’s first-ever signature fragrance. Designed to evoke the romance of the Caribbean and encapsulate the brilliant flora and fauna surrounding the resort, the scent greets guests upon arrival to the open-air lobby.

Several Accommodation ‘Firsts’

-- Sandals “Firsts” on resort include Tufa Terrace SkyPool Butler Suites, a first in Jamaica with glass panel edge infinity pools spanning the length of balconies flanked by views of the Caribbean Sea.

-- Guests checking in to Coyaba Sky Swim-up Rondoval Butler Suites with Private Pools will find Sandals’ iconic standalone circular villas have been thoughtfully reimagined with vast open-air rooftops.

-- Luxurious Mammee Bay Beachfront Butler Suites feature expansive balconies that overlook the sea, and Travertine Beachfront Club Level Rooms are named after the well-known Dunn’s River Falls’ giant, natural limestone steps.

The connection to Jamaica continues at BLUM, one of 12 new culinary concepts at the resort. An ode to the island’s Blue Mountains, the venue offers a first-of-its-kind coffee drinking experience with 25-cup cold drip towers, nitro cold brew on tap and Modbar pour-over units reaping the very best out of Jamaica’s coveted bean -- all best enjoyed paired with delectable pastries and treats.

At Dunn’s Rum Club, guests can travel throughout the Caribbean via the region’s signature libation.

Evenings were made for lingering at the swank Lapidus Lounge, an homage to Morris Lapidus, the famed architect who designed the site’s first resort -- the Arawak Hotel -- and whose joyful designs epitomized 1960s Caribbean chic. This is the place to admire the bevy of architectural references and raise a toast to the visionary himself with a Morris Manhattan.

Seaside, guests can sink their toes into the sand while enjoying libations at Laughing Waters Beach Bar. For an authentic taste of Jamaica, the Jerk Shack offer crispy festival -- fried sweet corn cakes -- alongside spicy “jerked” meats and seafood infused with local allspice and scotch bonnet pepper.

Guests can also savour a number of new culinary feats including Hamani, an izakaya-inspired sushi restaurant that brings the elegance of traditional Japan to the Caribbean; Edessa, where the Caribbean and Aegean seas meet; an Asian-fusion menu at Banyu, which offers a blend of cultures all in a single dining experience; Central and South American flavors at Zuka; Italian at Cascata; a taste of France at L’Amande; grilled delights and island staples at Galene; or the eatery Saltaire, offering live-action breakfast and lunch selections.

Other ‘Luxury Included’ options at Sandals Dunn’s River include teeing off with complimentary green fees at the nearby and newly refurbished Sandals Upton Estate Golf & Country Club, scuba diving and rafting the Martha Brae River on a 30-foot, artisan-crafted bamboo raft.

“Building extraordinary resorts that make it easy for our guests to authentically experience our home countries and the people that bring these incredible places to life, is the work of Sandals Resorts. The Caribbean is wide and diverse and brimming with flavour, and fun. There is so much to discover here and we want to bring our guests closer to it all,” said Stewart.

If you’re interested in learning, more you can tune in hear Adam Stewart on the Sandals Palmcast as he introduces Sandals Dunn’s River here.