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Sandals Montego Bay plans to spend US$9 million (J$1.4 billion) on the construction of overwater bungalows and villas, its third on the island.
The project will introduce 18 overwater bungalows and 10 villa-style suites and grow the hotel’s room capacity to 290 rooms, according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prepared for Sandals by the Technological Environmental Management Network (TEM) and Environmental Solutions Ltd.
“At a construction budget of US$9 million, this project will add 50 new permanent jobs to the industry after construction. Jobs created will include butlers, housekeepers, cooks, chef, landscaper, waiters, concierge representatives, and lifeguards,” stated the EIA published this month by the state-led National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA).
The project has some opposition from stakeholders according to the EIA. The Financial Gleaner awaits responses from Sandals to print on measures to mitigate concerns.
The EIA was uploaded to NEPA’s website this month but completed in March after consultant Paul Carroll made the last revision. The project aligns with Jamaica’s broader economic goals of jobs for the sector but also rooms that cater to the higher end of the market.
Sandals introduced its first overwater bungalows in 2016, pioneering the Caribbean’s entry into this luxury offering. Since then, locations have expanded to Sandals South Coast in Jamaica, Sandals Grande St Lucian, and Sandals St Vincent. Montego Bay will be the sixth Caribbean site and third in Jamaica.
Sandals Montego Bay sits on a headland east of Montego Bay Harbour, near MBJ Sangster International Airport. Its shoreline is naturally shielded by a shallow reef crest 300–500 meters offshore.
Public opinion on the development is mixed. Some citizens welcome the economic benefits, including job creation and increased tourism revenue, while others express concerns over environmental impacts, particularly on coastal ecosystems, the EIA indicated. The business sector, however, largely views the project positively. Stakeholders including MBJ Airports Ltd and the Montego Bay Marine Park Trust, have weighed in with caution. MBJ Airports Ltd acknowledges the project’s potential to enhance Jamaica’s tourism product but raises concerns about aviation safety.
“The negative impacts anticipated related to aviation safety, the Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) and associated potential flight risk, and potential negative environmental impacts and how these impacts may in turn affect the airport’s operations,” stated the EIA in condensing the MBJ’s view.
Consultations should be held with the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority and the Airports Authority of Jamaica, the report read.
Meanwhile, the Marine Park Trust has emphasized ecological risks, warning that “disturbing the wetland, during construction and operation, will negatively affect existing ecosystems and marine life”. The Trust has called for stringent mitigation measures, including runoff prevention from pools at the bungalows and seagrass restoration.
“Surface run-off from construction, effluent discharge and chemically treated water, if discharged from the swimming pool, will destroy, remaining wetlands, coastal shallow areas and seagrass beds,” the EIA said of Marine Park.
Despite these concerns, the EIA concludes that with proper safeguards, the project’s benefits – economic growth, job creation, and tourism diversification – outweigh potential drawbacks.
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