30 June 2025
By Publisher Ray Carmen:
Few names command admiration across the Caribbean quite like the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart—entrepreneur, patriot, hotelier, aviation revivalist, and the magnetic soul behind the Sandals empire. His legacy is carved not only into the luxury resorts that span the region but into the soul of the Caribbean itself.
What the world saw was the mogul. But those of us who knew him saw the man—charming, committed, and curiously passionate about every corner of the Caribbean narrative. Among his many affections was a heartfelt admiration for Caribbean World Magazine. In fact, so taken was he with the magazine’s tone, spirit, and storytelling that he tried on no fewer than eight occasions to buy it—not for profit, but for love.
A Jamaican Beginning, A Caribbean Legacy
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1941, Gordon Stewart’s journey began with an early knack for business and service. From selling air conditioners to launching entrepreneurial ventures, he always had a feel for where the pulse of the people lay.
It was in the early 1980s, however, that his true legacy began. Purchasing a neglected beachfront property in Montego Bay, Stewart transformed it into the first-ever Sandals resort—laying the foundation for a brand that would redefine Caribbean luxury. His approach was simple but brilliant: create a world-class all-inclusive resort that married international standards with island warmth and romance.
Today, Sandals stands as a globally recognised brand, synonymous with Caribbean excellence.
Flying the Caribbean Flag—At 30,000 Feet
In 1994, Stewart set his sights on another challenge—Air Jamaica, the national airline then limping under the weight of bureaucracy and inefficiency. Where others saw an ailing operation, Stewart saw a symbol worth saving. And save it he did.
Under his leadership, Air Jamaica became an award-winning carrier known for its vibrant branding, exceptional in-flight service, and renewed national pride. Stewart didn’t just fix a business—he gave the Caribbean its wings back, proving that West Indian excellence could fly as high as any in the world.
A Billion-Dollar Act of Patriotism
Few people realise that Gordon Stewart was not only building hotels and airlines—he was also defending Jamaica’s economic sovereignty. In the mid-1990s, when the Jamaican dollar was on the brink of collapse, Stewart quietly intervened in a move of stunning patriotism. He injected US$1 million of his own foreign currency reserves into the country’s foreign exchange market every day for 28 consecutive days, totalling US$28 million, in an effort to stabilise the Jamaican dollar.
He never sought public praise for it. There was no press conference, no chest-beating. He did it quietly, because the country needed it—and because he could.
That single act helped stave off a financial crisis and remains one of the greatest exmples of private-sector patriotism in Caribbean history.
A Magazine Close to His Heart
Throughout his career, Gordon Stewart championed platforms that celebrated the Caribbean in all its splendour. One such platform was Caribbean World Magazine. He was not merely a casual reader—he was an enthusiastic devotee. He admired its tone, its elegance, and the way it captured the Caribbean through a global lens.
In private conversations and professional encounters, Stewart made clear his admiration for the publication. On eight separate occasions, he expressed interest in acquiring the magazine—not as a business acquisition, but as a token of appreciation for the way it honoured the region he adored. That persistent interest was not just flattering; it was affirming. It reflected his belief in the power of storytelling, and in the need for platforms that uplifted the Caribbean voice.
A Man of the People
Despite his global acclaim, Butch Stewart remained grounded. Guests at his resorts would often encounter him strolling the property, checking on details, and speaking directly with staff and holidaymakers alike. He believed in service from the heart, and he held those around him to the highest standards—because he held himself to them first.
Employees revered him not just as a boss, but as a leader who genuinely cared—about their wellbeing, their families, their futures.
A Legacy That Still Breathes
When Gordon “Butch” Stewart passed in January 2021, the Caribbean lost one of its greatest champions. But his legacy didn’t end—it simply evolved. Today, the Sandals and Beaches resorts continue to thrive under the stewardship of his son, Adam Stewart, carrying forward the same values of excellence, innovation, and love for the region.
His influence is everywhere: in the laughter that echoes across beachfront suites, in the pride of former Air Jamaica crew members, and yes—in the pages of Caribbean World Magazine, which he held in such high regard.
In the end, the late Butch Stewart wasn’t just a hotelier or a businessman. He was a guardian of Caribbean pride. A man who gave more than he ever took.
And he spent his life making sure the world didn’t just visit the Caribbean—but understood it, celebrated it, and cherished it.
