Sandals Plans Major Antigua Expansion: 100 New Rooms Including 16 Overwater Bungalows

Antigua and Barbuda's luxury tourism offering is set for a significant boost, with Sandals Resorts International planning a major expansion of its Antigua property that will add 100 new hotel rooms — including 16 overwater bungalows, one of the most coveted accommodation products in Caribbean hospitality.

The plans were shared during Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, where Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Prime Minister Gaston Browne updated Cabinet on recent discussions with representatives of the Sandals Group as the company moves forward with plans to increase its room stock in Antigua and Barbuda.

Overwater Luxury Comes to Antigua

The proposed expansion would add approximately 100 rooms to the resort's inventory and include 16 overwater bungalows — a luxury accommodation product that has become increasingly popular among high-end travellers seeking exclusive Caribbean experiences.

Overwater bungalows, long associated with destinations like the Maldives and Bora Bora, have become the crown jewels of Caribbean luxury resorts. Sandals pioneered the concept in the Caribbean at its Jamaica and Saint Lucia properties, where the suites command premium rates and consistently rank among the most sought-after rooms in the region. Their arrival in Antigua would place the destination firmly in the top tier of Caribbean luxury accommodation.

Cabinet Welcomes the Investment

Merchant said Cabinet welcomed the proposal and expressed excitement about the potential benefits the project could bring to the tourism sector. The expansion is expected to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda's position in the luxury tourism market while creating additional opportunities for employment and economic activity through increased visitor arrivals and tourism spending.

A Strong Run for the Destination

The announcement comes as the government continues to encourage investment in the tourism sector, which remains one of the country's primary economic drivers.

The Sandals expansion plans cap a remarkable run of positive tourism news for Antigua and Barbuda — from the BBC MasterChef feature that showcased the destination to millions of British viewers, to the high-profile promotional blitz at Caribbean Week in New York, to the country's recognition as the Caribbean's Best Emerging Culinary City Destination. An expanded Sandals footprint, with its powerful marketing machine and loyal guest base, would convert that visibility into rooms, jobs, and revenue.

No timeline for the project was disclosed during the briefing, but Merchant indicated that discussions between the government and Sandals are progressing as the company advances its plans for further development in Antigua and Barbuda. If completed, the additional rooms and overwater bungalows would expand Antigua's upscale accommodation offerings and enhance the destination's appeal to visitors seeking premium resort experiences in the Caribbean.