1981 - Once Upon a Time

An aging hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica is for sale. Most investors see only a small, dilapidated property. But one young entrepreneur sees something quite different – the enormous potential of a property fronting Jamaica's largest private white-sand beach. Gordon "Butch" Stewart has no prior hotel experience: he purchases the property, Bay Roc, as a real estate investment. An expansion and an elaborate renovation take place. King-size beds, clock-radios, and color satellite televisions are placed in every room. The decision is made to cater to couples only, and Sandals Montego Bay opens for business. The all-inclusive vacation concept, redefined and perfected, will never be the same.

1985 - In the Swim

Sandals unveils its signature swim-up pool bar: Guests can now float to a bar stool and order luscious libations, all without leaving the comfort of the swimming pool. The swim-up pool bar is just one of the many all-inclusive innovations: first-rate fitness centers, scuba-diving with top-of-the-line equipment, water skiing, piano bars, and whirlpools. In addition, Sandals opens Carlyle on the Bay in Montego Bay , now called Sandals Inn; it was acquired in 1982. Fine dining debuts as Sandals Resorts set tables with white linens and introduce a choice of indoor or outdoor dining with à la carte dinner menus.

1986 - The Royal Treatment

The "Stay at One, Play at Two" concept is launched when Sandals Royal Caribbean welcomes guests to the only resort in Jamaica with its own private island. A traditional Great House ambiance is effected: Breakfast in bed and afternoon tea are served.

1988 - A Seven-Mile Slice

Cuisine turns sophisticated – gourmet meals are artfully prepared by international chefs and served "white-glove-style." Sandals Negril on one of the Caribbean's most popular stretches of beach in Negril, Jamaica, opens its doors. Guests are wowed by smashing beachfront loft suites and gorgeous sunsets.

1989 - Homecoming

Sandals Ocho Rios makes its debut, and a special vibe permeates the 12-acre property. Perhaps that's because this is where Sandals Chairman "Butch" Stewart spent his carefree boyhood days; his greatest delight was going fishing. Agua Azul, the name of the home where "Butch" grew up, still stands on the property.

1991 - The Big Bang

Sandals grows exponentially in its tenth year. With the grand opening of Sandals Dunn's River in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the successful hotel chain becomes the largest operator of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. In July, Sandals spreads to the shores of Dickenson Bay, Antigua – welcome to Sandals Antigua.

On the patriotic front, Gordon "Butch" Stewart donates a million dollar's worth of vacations to military personnel serving in the Gulf War.

1993 - Putting the "Ultra" in All-Inclusive

Thanks to a wide array of gourmet dining options, a selection of premium accommodations, a variety of land and water sports, an incredible staff, and uncompromising service, Sandals is now "ultra all-inclusive." But wait, there's more! Sandals St. Lucia debuts in April. Island hopping is born in the Eastern Caribbean; guests can now split their stay between Sandals Antigua and the Sandals St. Lucia.

1994 - A Very good Year

Since 1984, more than 8,000 couples have married at Sandals. This year, something very special is added to the nuptials. Sandals introduces WeddingMoons™, the ultimate destination wedding package, which combines the wedding with the honeymoon.

Another little gem pops up in Castries, St. Lucia: Sandals Halcyon, a charming beach hotel, is the perfect complement to the glamorous Sandals St. Lucia.

1995 - Show us Your Teeth

Gordon "Butch" Stewart is in Manhattan's Plaza Hotel and he's smiling. Why? For the second year in a row at the World Travel Awards ceremony, travel agents from around the globe have named Sandals Resorts the World's Leading All-Inclusives and Top Caribbean Hotel Group.

A few months later in Negril, local VIP's are donning hard hats and plunging metal shovels into the soil. Butch is smiling again – it's the groundbreaking of the first Beaches Resort, Beaches Negril, a new part of the Sandals' family that caters to singles, families and couples.

1996 - The Best of the Best

The curtain is raised to reveal Sandals' pièce de résistance, Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort & Spa. Sandals ventures into the spa business, offering a world-class, full-service European spa. Accolades quickly follow – readers of Condé Nast Traveler choose the palatial vacation retreat as one of the top-ten spa resorts in the world.

1999 - Millennium Madness

A Millennium madness sweeps the land, the Villas on Sunset Bluff debuts at Sandals St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa, now Sandals Regency St. Lucia. Also basking in stardom is Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa as it unveils its new addition to the resort – the unique French Village.

2002 - A Stellar Year

A new pair of properties from Sandals Resorts makes tracks in the Caribbean in 2002: Sandals Grande St. Lucian on the exquisite island of St. Lucia and Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Within two months of opening Sandals Grande St. Lucian receives three Five Star Diamond Awards from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences; the academy also honors Chairman Gordon "Butch" Stewart with the Crystal Award, its highest honor for lifetime achievement.

2004 - Moving' On Up!

Sandals Ocho Rios doubles in size with the addition of "The Villas of Eden" and Sandals Whitehouse, on the South coast of Jamaica. In a world's first, Butler service is introduced to our top suite categories – you never imagined so much pampering from an all-inclusive.