Sandals rewards 'Decades of Service'
Published:Sunday | May 8, 2011 | 12:00 AM
May showers may have washed away Francis Mais' elaborate décor but the picturesque Golf and Country Club at Upton, St Ann, but she quickly transformed the giant-size enclosed tent at the sister property, Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, to perfection. And so, guests who arrived at the venue on Monday, May 2, immediately experienced the excellent service that has characterised the Sandals Resorts International's modus operandi for its 30-year existence.
The menu of pop and reggae selections served up by the Ja Rockers band was only surpassed by the endless flow of champagne and hors d'oeuvres just an elbow away, as the team of wait staff ministered to guests' every need. The lavish buffet occupied two sides of the tent and featured the chefs' best grilled, roasted, jerked and pasta dishes, alongside endless choices of seafood and sushi dishes and the sweet-toothed persons' dream of mouth-watering desserts. And if the champagne cocktails were not enough, the well-stocked bar and expert bartenders mixed and poured everything from martinis to premium rums and scotches.
Reflective mood
Chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart was in a mood to reflect, tell funny stories, poke fun at his friends and remind everyone about the quality service offered. He noted the 17 consecutive years of being ranked the world's best all-inclusive hotel and, more recently, the Exuma, Bahamas, distinction of attaining Bride magazine's best honeymoon destination.
"We have not competed with properties offering cheap room rates, but our rooms have never done better; occupancy rates are up," he boasted adding that the people had allowed Sandals to recreate tourism in the Caribbean.
In his remarks, Adam Stewart thanked the spouses of the honourees for supporting them throughout the years. "You are the one who deserved these awards for being married to the staff who have demonstrated such dedication to our company. Tourism has its ups and downs but your commitment and dedication to the group has brought us this far."
But it was the night for the staff from the properties in the region who snatched photo ops with their beloved Chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, CEO Adam Stewart and his sister, Jamie Stewart McConnell.
Representatives of the 43-year-old Appliance Traders Limited also joined the party. And fittingly so, as the team had put in double duty in the embryonic stages of Sandals, carrying out air-conditioning sales by day and hotel construction by night.
Highlights of the night were Gary Saddler's humorous impersonation of the group chairman and a superbly produced video presentation in which the 30-year veterans spoke about the blood, sweat and tears combined with their leader's gritty can-do attitude that had brought them from derelict beachfront properties to the world's best all-inclusive status. The stars of the show included Dalton 'Red Youte' Brown, Elizabeth Betty Jo' Desnoes, Eleanor Miller, Laurence McDonald, Eric Rickette, Dudley Hamilton, Warren Cohen and Merrick Fray.
Among the 400 invited guests were Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett, hotel general managers from across the group, representatives the island's business sector, faces from the social and party circuits and scores more. The formalities were chaired by the agelessly energetic Weston Haughton.