Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, has signed a major franchise agreement with AC Marriott to develop a new European Plan (EP) hotel in Montego Bay, St. James—marking a significant expansion of the brand and the first AC Hotel of its kind in Jamaica’s tourism capital.
The 168-room beachfront hotel will rise on the site of the former Sandals Carlyle on Kent Avenue, which Stewart plans to demolish later this year. Construction is slated to begin by the end of 2025, with an expected opening in summer 2027.
“A major gamechanger for Montego Bay,” tweeted Senator and Minister of State for Tourism, Delano Seiveright. “Adam Stewart @AdamStewart is set to expand the AC Marriott brand with a new EP beachfront hotel, just 4 minutes from the airport… the development will help revitalize the historic Hip Strip.”
The property will feature a sleek, multistory design with uninterrupted ocean views, a public beach, and a signature AC Lounge in the lobby. Other highlights include a rooftop sky deck and bar with panoramic coastal views, a conference facility for up to 200 people, structured parking, and airport shuttle services—making it one of the most conveniently located hotels for both local and international visitors.
The hotel is a strategic move designed to align with the evolution of the Hip Strip, according to Stewart.
Positioned just four minutes from Sangster International Airport, the hotel is targeting the growing mid-range leisure and corporate markets, with room rates starting around US$185 per night. Its stylish business-forward amenities will cater to guests from Kingston, Mandeville, Atlanta, and other key markets.
Architecturally, the new hotel will echo the contemporary AC aesthetic seen in Kingston, with a Montego Bay twist—featuring coastal tones from cobalt to teal, inspired by the vibrant hues of the Caribbean Sea. All rooms will feature ocean views, thanks to a smart design pivot toward the adjacent Dennis Morgan property.
The project is expected to generate approximately 400 jobs throughout construction and into its operational phase, reinforcing Stewart’s broader commitment to both development and local economic impact.
This will be the second AC Marriott hotel under Stewart’s leadership, reinforcing the brand’s growing presence in the Caribbean and the ongoing transformation of Montego Bay’s famed waterfront corridor.
