The group on Thursday (1 August) announced Emerald Bay would close on 15 August for a major refurbishment, which will see the resort reopen as a Beaches Resorts property – a move that will bring Sandals’ family-oriented brand to the Bahamas for the first time.

Sandals said the two-week notice period came as part of an effort to "accelerate" its plans to expand the Beaches Resorts brand. “We communicated the news to agents as soon as possible," the group said.

“Only a small number of agent bookings made through Sandals Resorts’ UK tour operator, Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd, have been affected.

"Agents who have clients with affected reservations at Sandals Emerald Bay are being contacted and provided with a variety of options for rebooking at another Sandals Resorts destination, along with several special benefits."

These benefits include resort and air credits.

The refurbishment will get under way in the autumn and will see the resort’s accommodation offering reconfigured to feature more multi-bedroom villas, suites and connecting rooms.

Sandals also plans to develop a new kids’ camp and splash deck at what will become Beaches Exuma, while the resort’s 12 restaurants will also be upgraded.

The resort will retain staple features such as its full-service Red Lane Spa and Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course.

Emerald Bay’s evolution from Sandals to Beaches comes as part Sandals Resorts International’s "strategic plan" to "significantly expand" its footprint across the Caribbean, and follows the opening of new Sandals properties in Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Curacao.

"We will miss Sandals Emerald Bay," said Chester Cooper, the Bahamas’ deputy prime minister and minister of tourism. "But we welcome Beaches Exuma, which will be an expanded endeavour that caters to more visitors and employs more Bahamians."