Sandals, Marriott to Partner on $50 Million AC Hotel in Kingston

Sandals is adding a new hotel brand.

The company has announced a new partnership with Marriott International to bring AC Hotels by Marriott to the Caribbean.

It will be the first partnership between the two companies and the first time Sandals will manage a brand it did not create.

Construction on the new AC Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, the partnership’s debut project, will begin this month with a planned winter 2019 debut.

AC is Marriott’s design-focused brand, with 90 hotels across Europe, Latin America and the United States. This will be the first AC hotel in the Caribbean.

“Marriott International is excited to partner with Sandals Resorts International on bringing the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to Jamaica. Because of solid partners, like Sandals, we are able to continue to expand our presence in the Caribbean and Latin America where we currently operate over 200 hotels across 30 brands,” said Alejandro Acevedo, VP Development, Marriott International Caribbean and Latin America. “The AC Hotels brand will be an excellent addition to our existing portfolio in Jamaica, as we strive to become the world’s most favorite travel company.”

A rendering of the pool at the new AC Kingston.

The AC Kingston will have 220 rooms, a 10,000-square-foot conference center and a full-service restaurant, immediately adding a major new hotel into Jamaica’s capital.

“There is a renewed energy in Kingston and everywhere the city trembles with purpose and productivity,” said Sandals CEO Adam Stewart.  “We plan to capture this vitality, to create a destination within a destination, a place where world-class meetings and events happen alongside everyday occasions – from shopping and dining to salon services and cocktails with friends.  With its emphasis on design and locally inspired experiences that elevate the guest’s stay, AC Hotels by Marriott® is the right brand to bring our vision to life.”

The development plans call for a BMW showroom, a beauty and wellness salon, a car rental facility and an indoor-outdoor retail and dining space called The Avenue.

“Kingston is quickly becoming a starting point for visitors who want to discover Jamaica beyond its beaches,” Stewart said. “From our rich musical tradition that begins here to the wonders of the Blue Mountains – a UNESCO world heritage site that just happens to produce the world’s best coffee, travelers will find much to capture their imagination here.”