Couples Tower Isle celebrates 32

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Pierre Battaglia and Carrole Issa-Cartade (third and fourth left), cut the anniversary cake for Couples Sans Souci, as heads of departments share the moment. - photos by Carl Gilchrist

It was at Couples Tower Isle hotel in St Mary that the all-inclusive concept was introduced to Jamaica, back in 1978. Now, 32 years later, the hotel, which recently benefited from a multi-million dollar transformation, is celebrating another successful year.

The 32nd anniversary celebration held last weekend, combined with Couples Sans Souci's fourth, and the ninth annual charity golf tournament, was more than what guests at a full-to-capacity hotel could have asked for.

Not even intermittent drizzle could dampen the atmosphere of scrumptious and superbly prepared food, fabulous entertainment and good company that made for an ideal occasion.

Wonderful performances

The talented Althea Hewitt gave a wonderful performance at the cocktail reception on the roof.

Later, Dwight Richards thrilled with his saxophone before put-ting away the wind instrument and replacing it with some excellent vocals that delighted the audience.

The icing on the cake was Couples' announcement that part proceeds from this year's charity golf tournament would go towards the Haiti relief effort. This amounted to $800,000, with $400,000 coming directly from the tournament and the hotel matching the amount.

Other beneficiaries are: Three Hills Primary and Hamilton Mount Basic schools; Port Maria Hospital and Animal House, a facility for stray animals, run by Maureen Sheridan.

And according to Chief Executive Officer Glenn Lawrence, Couples Resorts, all four resorts, Tower Isle, Sans Souci, Negril and Swept Away, are doing well for the winter season with good projections for the spring.

Quite fittingly, it was 100 per cent occupancy on the weekend for the 226-room Couples Tower Isle. And those who came out to support and to celebrate with Couples really had a wonderful time.

Among them were: Custos of St Mary, A. A. Pottinger and wife Colleen; Andrew Grant and wife Caroline, Joe and Asha Issa, Bobby and Indu Chandiram, Maureen Bonini, Sarah Todd, Andrew Todd, Joise and Onesto Maffessanti, Marino Maffessanti, Annabella Proudlock, Johnny and Rosie March, Eva Myers, Rafael and Robin DeComas, Belinda Morrow, Mayor of Port Maria Richard Creary, Beres and Keisha Gray, Gerry and Juliet Wright, Mark Kerr-Jarrett and wife Paula; multiple repeat guests, Dave and Mary Crook, so too were Yantae and Heather Kim, a couple from Memphis who got married at the hotel just hours before. Among the hosts were: Carrole Issa-Cartade, chairman Lee Issa, Jane Issa, Francis Issa, Glenn Lawrence, chief executive officer and of course, public relations director Alex Ghisays.

Couples Tower Isle's general manager Leonard Henry (centre), is flanked by (from left) attorney-at-law Maxim Clarke; Joy Clark, Digicel's head of sales, west and central regions; Trisha K. Thompson; and Carlene Lyn, Scotiabank executive.

From left: Annabella Proudlock, Johnny and Rosie Marsh, Eva Myers, Onesto and Josie Maffessanti.

From left: Lee Issa, Maureen Bonini, Sarah and her brother, Andrew Todd.