Sandals hoping to acquire Almond Beach Village resort

Sandals boss Gordon “Butch” Stewart is officially in the race for the acquisition of  the Almond Beach Village Hotel in Barbados.

Sandals is among three entities that have formally submitted bids. 

The SUNDAY SUN newspaper in Barbados reported that it has been reliably informed that local developer Paul Doyle, who is owner of  the Crane Resort in St Philip, has put in the highest offer for the purchase of  the 31-acre beach front property, which has been valued at 100 million dollars. 

Mr. Doyle is said to be followed by Bjorn Bjerkhamn, who is proposing to build a 200-room Ritz Carlton hotel, plus residences, while the lowest bid has come from Mr. Stewart.

It's now up to officials of the Trinidadian-based Neal & Massy to decide over the next two weeks whether Barbados will have a Sandals, a Ritz Carlton or a brand new luxury Crane resort in the north of  the island.