Sandals Resorts

Sandals Resorts is the largest operator of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.Fact|date=March 2008 Sandals has a total of 12 couples-only properties, including seven in Jamaica, three in St. Lucia, one in Antigua and one in Nassau, Bahamas. Sandals also has two resorts in Cuba which can only be used by citizens of countries other than the United States. Recently opened are the newly refurbished Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort and brand new Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa.

Human rights controversy

The company had a long-standing policy, dating from 1981, which banned gays from their "couples-only" resorts. The policy was variously stated by characterizing the accommodations as "resort for couples (heterosexual) only", or "Couples only. A couple is defined as one female adult and one male adult", "policies require male/female couples only", or "couples of the same gender are not accepted." Sandals' anti-gay policy received a great deal of publicity when stays at their resorts were offered as prizes in various promotions by companies such as Microsoft, Yahoo!, and US Airways in 1999. [ [http://news.com.com/2100-1023-221228.html Gay rights travel flap snares Microsoft, Yahoo] ] Later reports indicated that some resorts also made no accommodations for the handicapped, prompting the ACLU to opine that companies offering Sandals stays as prizes, or otherwise doing business with Sandals resorts, might be the targets of lawsuits. The companies involved promptly severed their relationships with Sandals, stating they were unaware of its discriminatory practices. [ [http://www.wiredstrategies.com/resort.html The Microsoft & US Airways Anti-Gay Sweepstakes Controversy - February 1999 - complete information, press releases, screen captures ] ] Adverts for the company were banned from the London Underground in 2003 after public objections were raised. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,970432,00.html Tube bans 'anti-gay' holiday firm adverts | The Guardian | Guardian Unlimited ] ] Sandals ended its policy of refusing service to gay couples in August 2004 after further gay rights protests. [ [http://www.logcabin.org/lef/libertyline111604.html Liberty Line - 11/16/04 ] ] [http://uk.gay.com/headlines/6960] ]

The ban on homosexuals from Jamaican resorts was, the company claimed,Fact|date=July 2007 necessary because of laws in Jamaica banning sexual acts between men, despite there being no law against sexual acts between women. These laws remain in effect although the company has rescinded its ban.

List of hotels

:Jamaica::Sandals Montego Bay::Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island::Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort::Sandals Dunn's River Villagio Golf Resort & Spa::Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa::Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa::Sandals Inn:St. Lucia::Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort & Spa in St. Lucia::Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort::Sandals Halcyon Beach St. Lucia:Antigua::Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa:Bahamas::Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort & Offshore Island

References

External links

* [http://www.sandals.com Sandals.com]