Exclusive Sandy Lane resort on Barbados

Legendary Hotel Flourishes After Spectacular Rebuilding and Expansion,
Preserving Historic Charm with Thoroughly Modern Amenities

Sandy Lane, the renowned Barbadian luxury resort which has long been a treasured hideaway for the international discriminating traveler, has become a veritable priceless gem since its multi-million-dollar overhaul and expansion in 2001, which preserved the property's classic elegance and grace while modernizing to welcome a new generation of travelers.

The new Sandy Lane represents the absolute pinnacle in comfort, luxury and service -- from guest rooms that average 900 square feet to Bentley luxury car airport transfers to a host of amenities including two Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf courses, the newly landscaped Old Nine golf course, a deluxe 47,000-square-foot spa and a five-bedroom villa that debuted in December 2002.

The 112-room resort is set in an ancient mahogany grove overlooking the same gorgeous crescent of beach on Barbados' western coast as the original, and was rebuilt in the same neo-Palladian style, complete with its white coral stone rotunda -- albeit now larger and even more luxurious.

Sandy Lane was originally built in 1961 on the site of an old sugar plantation, the creation of Ronald Tree, who welcomed a veritable "Who's Who" of guests including such luminaries as Jacqueline Kennedy, Aristotle Onassis, Mick Jagger, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth, Elton John, Maria Callas, Frank Sinatra, Harry Belafonte, Michael Caine, Luciano Pavarotti, Twiggy and David Niven. In 1970, the hotel was sold to Trusthouse Forte and in 1996, Dermot Desmond, J.P. McManus and partners purchased the property and golf course and embarked on the major rebuilding that culminated in the March 2001 opening.

Guest rooms and suites at Sandy Lane are incredibly spacious and boast a sumptuous, comfortable décor with marble floors, plantation-style furniture, elegant fabrics and a large private verandah. Modern high-tech amenities include high-speed wireless internet access throughout the hotel, plasma screen TV with a NEOS entertainment system, two-line phone and control panel on each side of the bed for regulating nearly everything in the room.

The five-bedroom Villa at Sandy Lane combines the privacy of staying in a personal villa with all the resort amenities and services offered at Sandy Lane. Opened in December 2002, the villa features a spacious courtyard with a private pool and oversized Jacuzzi, the latest technology, and a dedicated butler, housekeeper, chef and 24-hour security guard.

Service at Sandy Lane is designed to meet every conceivable need, including a 24-hour concierge who can handle everything from packing and unpacking to pressing to arranging island activities, spa treatments and tee times. Other services include airport transfers in Bentleys or luxury vehicles, a welcome with chilled towel and tropical drink, personalized in-room check-in, twice-daily maid service, round-the-clock room service, and beachside service - including sunglass cleaning, Evian misting and refreshing sorbets.

The resort features nine championship tennis courts that offer two different surfaces all lit for night play, with a tennis pro on hand for lessons. For the golfer, the Sandy Lane courses provide the ultimate choice in contrasting golfing experiences. Guests can choose between the Old Nine course or the par-72, 18-hole Country Club course, designed by renowned golf pro Tom Fazio. A third course, the spectacular Green Monkey also designed by Tom Fazio, is only available for play to guests of Sandy Lane.

Everything is state-of-the-art, even down to the golf carts, which feature GPS tracking and three-dimensional screens with the layout of each hole. In December 2001, the 55,000-square-foot Clubhouse opened. Designed by Johnson Fain Partners and featuring panoramic views of the Country Club course's 9th and 18th holes and the Green Monkey, it is home to the Country Club bar and restaurant, locker rooms and a fully-stocked pro shop.

For the sybaritic traveler, the Spa at Sandy Lane offers a wide range of face and body treatments that blend traditional therapies from the Caribbean, Far East and Europe. A teen spa menu was introduced in October 2003 to meet the needs of Sandy Lane's younger guests. The spa features 14 deluxe treatment suites (several with private gardens), a Chakra treatment room, hydrotherapy and Blitz Jet room, Crystal Laconium, Ice Cave, steam room, hydrotherapy pool, and John Frieda hair salon. There is also a 2,500-square-foot fitness room, a meditation studio, a free-form, 7,500-square-foot swimming pool, yoga and Pilates classes, and personalized fitness assessments available. At the beach, all non-motorized water sports are complimentary, and a host of other activities are available on request.

Families are a special focus for Sandy Lane with a new facility devoted exclusively to children and teenagers. The Tree House Club, adjacent to the swimming pool and spa, is for children of 3-12 years and staffed by fully-trained childcare professionals. It offers a host of activities such as swimming with sea turtles, scavenger hunts, and excursions into the wildlife reserve as well as Internet access and a playground. Individual babysitters are also available on request. For teens 13 years of age and above, there is a fully-equipped recreation room, The Den, with TV, video games, internet access, a jukebox, pool table and other activities.

An essential part of the Sandy Lane experience is the wealth of dining options available throughout the property with four restaurants and five bars. As in the original Sandy Lane, the two main restaurants are located right on the beach, with spectacular open-air views of the azure sea. The renovated signature restaurant L'Acajou is an elegant dining venue that seats 80. It is open nightly and features Asian-inspired cuisine and an equally impressive wine list amidst a Caribbean influenced decor featuring Barbados' native mahogany and coral accents on a terrace overlooking the sea. Bajan Blue, a more informal restaurant on the beach level, can accommodate up to 150 and focuses on organic ingredients and local Caribbean specialties.

Great food and drink is also available elsewhere throughout the property. Guests can choose from a healthy, low-calorie menu of specially-developed dishes at the Spa Café, open throughout the day. The Beach Bar and Pool Bar both serve an extensive selection of light fare and cold beverages. The Terrace Lounge offers a diverse cocktail menu and hors d'oeuvres overlooking the Caribbean Sea. And for golfers, the Country Club Golf Bar, located at the Clubhouse, is open throughout the day. The Monkey Bar, designed by Gez Taylor, one of England's leading designers, is perfect for cocktails before or after dinner serving a fine selection of beverages and appetizers in a whimsically decorated room with a monkey-themed mural on the circular ceiling.

Rates for 2006 at Sandy Lane range from $850 to $3600 for rooms, $1500 to $5300 for suites, and $3300 to $8800 for penthouses, and $8,000 to $25,000 for the Villa at Sandy Lane. For more information and reservations, visit the resort's website, www.sandylane.com or call Sandy Lane at (246) 444-2001 or toll free at 866-444-4080. Sandy Lane is a partner of Virtuoso and a Member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts.

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About Sandy Lane

Sandy Lane is located on the western coast of the island of Barbados. Originally built in 1961, Dermot Desmond, J.P. McManus and partners purchased the property and golf course in 1996 and completely rebuilt and expanded, opening in March 2001.

This exclusive 112-room resort has stylish lodging in rooms that average 900 square feet, a five-bedroom villa, luxury Bentley airport transfers, four restaurants including the signature restaurant L'Acajou, five bars, a 47,000-square-foot spa and three distinct golf courses offering guests the best golf in the Caribbean. Two of the courses are Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole courses including the Green Monkey Course.

Rates for 2006 at Sandy Lane range from $850 to $3600 for rooms, $1500 to $5300 for suites, and $3300 to $8800 for penthouses, and $8,000 to $25,000 for the Villa at Sandy Lane. For more information and reservations, visit the resort's website, www.sandylane.com or call Sandy Lane at (246) 444-2001 or toll free at 866-444-4080. Sandy Lane is a partner of Virtuoso and a Member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts.