Dragon Bay Hotel

Dragon Bay Hotel, Drapers

American Michael Rosenberg applied for a hotel license in 1969, as the Trident Hotel refused to sell to him. The hotel complex was constructed on the other side of the Blue Lagoon on a 40-acre site.
On September 4, 1970, 20 cottages opened, as the first of a total of 80 units, to be built in three phases over 2-1/2 years. The development includes a residential sub-division of 27 building lots on which private vacation homes will be constructed.
In November 1971 construction work was proceeding on the Annex.
By April 1972 an additional 51 double rooms were added in the prior year.
The hotel flourished during the time of Mr. Rosenberg, but a number of costly mistakes involving his other business ventures in the parish put Jamaica on the liability list as far as Mr. Rosenberg was concerned.
After being closed for a year, the hotel reopened in September 1978 under the new ownership of Montego Bay lawyer, Mr. Paul Delisser. It has 105 rooms in 35 three bedroom white villas and greathouse (all renovated), an extensive new sport center, two new dining rooms, and a disco set on top a cliffside.
In August 1980, Hurricane Allen badly damaged the hotel.
In May 1981, after experiencing a "very poor" winter season with the tourism slump, the hotel decided to close down. But instead they accepted an offer of its workers to keep food and liquor sections going on a co-operative basis. And to reactivate the kitchens in the cottages and to offer the cottages for rent to local patrons. See clippings.
In February 1982, Dr. Steven Laufer was planning to buy the hotel and spend $35 million on expansion and to generate new life into the business.
In December 1982 the hotel began sponsoring visits by travel agents.
On April 1, 1983 the hotel was leased to the Spanish-based Marbella Club International. Prince Alfonso Von Hohenlohe, founder and president of Marbella, will personally supervise and direct the operations at the hotel. It was being marketed as Marbella Club at Dragon Bay. An exclusive membership club resort with 66 suites nestled in a hillside amid terraced gardens. They continued travel agent visits. Memberships in the disco were made available.
The 34-villa hotel was refurbished at a cost of $1.5 million. A helipad was built on the property, and a 12-seat helicopter transported guests from Kingston Airport.
In February 1985 the Marbella Club at Dragon Bay hosted a large cocktail party at the poolside of one of the cottages to introduce residents of the San San resort area to their guests.
By December 1986 the 101-room hotel was was closed for refurbishing, creating a big shortage of rooms.
Lawsuits about paying for upkeep ensue. See clippings.
In 1987 the movie Cocktail was filmed there.
In 1987 it went out of the hotel business per se, and the condominiums put on sale to private owners, although there remained some rental agreements for the villas.
In June 1989 the 33 villas were being refurbished and renovated. Work is slated for completion in time for the upcoming winter tourist season.
In September 2001 Sandals Resorts was negotiating the takeover of the 90-room resort from its current owners, Abela Hotels & Resorts. The hotel has been suffering massive losses as a result of decreasing business related to the neglect and the poor condition of Port Antonio.
In March 2002 Sandals takes possession. It now has 55 acres. It was closed for refurbishing, and 70 employees were made redundant. Initial plans were to open ahead of December 2002. Plans were to make it a spa resort.
In July 2003 plans for the property were still in the "development stage."
In November 2004 the indefinite closure of the Dragon Bay Beach Resort sparked complaints from former employees and local residents. Sandals says they will announce a decision soon.
In February 2006, Sandal's chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, said poor infrastructure in Portland was the main reason for the delay in upgrading the resort, making it virtually impossible to successfully market the upscale product contemplated for Dragon Bay. The roads in Portland are deplorable. The distance from Kingston Airport is too far for driving, and the local Ken Jones Aerodrome, after three years of promises to extend the runway and install lights, has not been done. Inadequate social activities and an unclean town are also major deterrents to investment in the parish.
In March 2006, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart maintained his stance that he will not 'roll the dice' and spend US$25 million on the hotel until the town of Port Antonio is taken seriously and proper infrastructure is put in place. [Gleaner]
In December 2016 it was reported that Sandals Group recently announced plans to renovate and upgrade the Dragon Bay Hotel.
In May 2018, MP Daryl Vaz reported he had a firm commitment for the reopening of the hotel.
No more newspaper mentions.
Excellent photos at Google.