Sandals founder dead at 79

Caribbean hotelier Gordon "Butch" Stewart, founder of Sandals resorts, died in the United States on Monday.

The news was disclosed in a press release from his son Adam, who described Stewart's death as "almost unbelievable."

Stewart, who was popular in his native Jamaica and was awarded the Order of Jamaica, built resorts in seven Caribbean islands, with a reputation for luxury.

The resort chain, which was expected to expand to Tobago, pulled out of the planned development in 2019. The reason it gave was that extensive local criticism of the project threatened its brand’s reputation.

In the release, Stewart's son described him as a marketing genius and talented showman, and said those who knew him best recognised that he was a dreamer who could dream bigger and better than anyone.

“My dad lived a big life – husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, entrepreneur, statesman, dreamer. A singular personality and an unstoppable force who revelled in defying the odds, exceeding expectations, and whose passion for his family was matched only by the people and possibility of the Caribbean, for whom he was a fierce champion.”

Stewart was also chairman of the Jamaica Observer newspaper.