Above: the former Veranda Turks and Caicos Resort

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Sandals Resorts International has announced that the former Veranda Turks and Caicos resort it purchased last month will close beginning Jan. 7 for renovations.

The renovations will last through at least the month of March.

When they are complete, the resort will reopen as the Key West Luxury Village within the Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa.

Sandals said bookings will no longer be accepted.

The decision to close the resort during the winter season was determined by weak Veranda bookings, in addition to an “imperative need to bring the resort in line with Sandals Resorts International’s brand standard, before transitioning to become part of Beaches Turks & Caicos,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

The company said guests affected by the closure should call their travel agent or Unique Vacations, the worldwide representatives for Sandals.