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| The Point restaurant at the Sonesta has full views of Maho Beach and the Caribbean. |
Sonesta Ocean Point Resort
The Sonesta Ocean Point Resort is the newest five-star property in St. Maarten and perhaps the most stylish hotel in Sonesta’s all-inclusive portfolio.
This all-suite resort sits on the southernmost point of the island, adjacent to the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, offering some incredible views of the beach and the commercial airplanes that fly past it.
After a multimillion dollar renovation to the former Ocean Terrace building, the 129-room Sonesta Ocean Point emerged as a sophisticated, adults-only, all-inclusive resort. Think: Sandals LaSource Grenada and Azul Sensatori Jamaica.
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| Swim-out Junior Suites provide seamless access from the terrace to the pool at the Sonesta. |
Blending contemporary design with a Caribbean vibe, the resort evokes a chic, inviting atmosphere from the public spaces to each of the accommodations ranging from the 480-square-foot Junior Suite King to the lavish 2,600-square-foot Luxury Penthouse.
The hotel recently launched butler service in 25 of its top suites, including the Roof Top Suites, Sunset Suites and Luxury Penthouses. Hint: Inclusive of the nightly rates and unique to Sonesta Ocean Point Butler Suites, is exclusive access to a private wine selection, in addition to service from butlers rated by the International Butler Institute and trained by certified instructors.
The personalized luxury experience commences even before arrival, where they can contact the butler team to provide special requests, dietary needs, and arrival time. Upon arrival, a cell phone is provided allowing them to relay requests directly to their butler.
Hint: Sonesta Ocean Point joins sister property, the adults-only Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort Casino & Spa, in offering butler service after the resort’s demand for its Miramar one- and two-bedroom Butler Suites.
Luxury travel advisors should reach out Eliska Hesova ([email protected]), Sonesta St. Maarten’s director of business development.
The resort has three pools including The Edge infinity pool with a private beach on the cliff, a Swim-Out pool connected to Swim-Out Suites and The Point Pool.
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| Sandals Ochi’s Romeo & Juliet Suites have Jacuzzis right off the bedroom, for total privacy. |
Also exclusive to guests are three bars and lounges, including the Sunset Lounge & Bar, Azul Rooftop Bar for private functions and the contemporary lobby café and bar, 18.63.
Other eateries include the Mediterranean-influenced Azul restaurant; an in-resort flagship Wanderlista Boutique selling resort wear and accessories from around the world. Other resort amenities include 24-hour room service, private cabanas, an open-air wellness area and an organic garden.
Sonesta Ocean Point is also suited to accommodate weddings and other special events with a 10-acre oceanfront location. Numerous venues to host weddings include the beach, a gazebo overlooking the Caribbean and the Azul Rooftop, exclusive to Ocean Point guests.
Note: Sonesta Ocean Point also has 24,000 square feet of renovated, eco-friendly meeting and conference facilities, accommodating up to 1,000 people.
Luxury travel advisors should connect with Kevin Matier ([email protected]), director of sales for Sonesta St. Maarten, for VIP service.
Sandals Grande Becomes Sandals Ochi
Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort has just received a full resort makeover and updated its name to Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. The new posh look comes complete with water fountains, winding paths, new restaurants and renovated guestrooms.
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| At Sandals Ochi, the beach has plenty of room for lounging and swimming. |
Set in the oceanfront city of Ocho Rios, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort gives guests plenty of opportunities to relax. Along with the renovation, Sandals Ochi opened the new Ochi Beach Club filled with cabanas and poolside seating. The new club was designed to resemble a traditional Mediterranean beach club, where guests can listen to the latest hits from the house DJ or enjoy theme nights like reggae night. After a night at the beach club, guests can retreat back to the All-Butler Village. This private area of the resort has 200 villas that are set back behind the main resort, creating a quiet, romantic escape. As an added perk, each villa is attended to by one of the 70 available butlers.
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| Sandals Ochi’s Sky Terrace Restaurant is a luxe buffet with inside and outside seating. |
Guests can contact their butler through a personal “butler phone” at any point during their stay (think 5 p.m. cocktails on the beach). The butlers also will transport guests anywhere on the resort with private golf carts. However, visitors could spend the whole day at their secluded villas, enjoying one of the 98 private villa pools or the multiple patios and verandahs. For the ultimate view, guests should book Villa No. 50, which provides unobstructed views of the water and is next to a large overlook point that is an excellent area for picnics or cocktail hour.
Sandals Ochi lives up to the Sandals brand, providing a romantic escape with a white, sandy beach and a large main pool complete with private cabanas. After a day enjoying the beach and pool, couples can spend the evening in one of the six Romeo and Juliet villas in the butler village. Room No. 7340 is one of the “Romeo and Juliet” villas and includes a pool off the bedroom, a two-person hot tub and a full-size living room.
The restaurants at Ochi have also received a revamp and now the resort is serving traditional Jamaican dishes at The Jerk Shack. Underneath palm trees and open-air canopies, The Jerk Shack is good for a casual lunch (just steps away from the main pool). Guests can enjoy traditional jerk chicken with sides like festival bread. For a fancier affair, Kelly’s Dockside Seaside Bar & Grill possibly has the best dining view on the resort. Located right off the main beach down a long, dock, Kelly’s serves dishes like mahi mahi, shrimp and filet mignon. Note: Reservations at Kelly’s are required for dinner.
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| The Sunset butler suites come with terraces with full views of the Caribbean. |
While enjoying the sunshine on one of the many loungers along the beach, beach-goers can enjoy another new dining addition, Tapas on the Riviera. Serving small bites like coconut shrimp and fried calamari, Tapas sits directly alongside the beach.
For a late night out, The Rabbit Hole speakeasy is a good option. Located just steps from the main pool, a round door entrance leads down into this bar inspired by the 1920s. We suggest trying The Bee’s Knees cocktail while listening to musicians, including singers, pianists and a jazz band that plays current and 1920’s music. As an added touch, the bar serves premium liquor with a separate ice menu. Guests can also have a fun night out at Popcorn and Palms Cinema, which is an outdoor movie theater. Think about curling up on large beanbag couches next to the main pool and watching over 300 different movies on a large screen.
With all the refreshed touches like the villas in the All Butler Village, 16 restaurants and the added entertainment, the only thing left for guests to worry about is what lounger or beach cabana they will relax on next. Luxury travel advisors should contact Ramel Sobrino, general manager at [email protected].