OCHI REGION OCHI REGION
General Staff Meeting
Sandals Ochi’s General Manager, Carol Bourke, posed for a quick candid moment with Paula Lawes and Cameal Foster from the Kitchen Department after a well-informed general staff meeting in the resort’s ballroom.
Revenue Expo
Sandals Ochi’s Red Lane team was in full swing during the resorts’ s Revenue Expo sharing information on the services and products they offer to keep team members informed and educated on their services.
Renaldo Douglas, Watersports Manager (right), listens attentively to Aritha Green, Aqua Center Supervisor, as she shares her nostalgic Snuba experience with Tsoxroy Gardener, Banqueting Manager. The occasion was a Revenue Expo at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.
Director of Sales, Carnel Smith is deep in conversation with team members as he explains the attractive benefits available for a booked private candlelight dinner, during the Revenue Expo at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.
SANDALS DUNN’S RIVER: CRASH COURSE IN COFFEE
The Sandals Dunn’s River Blūm Coffee Shop team was in high spirits and gained valuable information on the product while recently attending the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival as part of their preparation for the grand opening of the resort.
FROM FARM TO FORK: Sandals is Energizing a Forever Food Cycle in the Caribbean
The glow of a Caribbean morning reflects off the sea in one direction and off the breakfast table in another. The fruit of Saint Lucia is on display at Sandals Regency La Toc, sweet and colorful enough to wake up guests before the first coffee is poured. Mangos. Papayas. Pineapples. Bananas. In a few hours, at Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica, the scent of jerk chicken will waft over the pool at lunchtime, and in Grenada the island’s spices will call attention to a dessert tray.
Style Moment
Heads of Department from Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort moonlighted as celebrities during the 2023 Sandals Reunion Week Dinner Party.
STYLE MOMENT
SANDALS ROYAL BAHAMIAN
Hey, hey, hey! Haad go? (That’s Bahamian for, how’s it going?) People usually respond by saying, “right cha,” which simply translates to, “I’m right here, chilling.” Anyway, that was a little Bahamian bite for y’all, but let’s get back to BUZZness … See what I did there?
Sandals Royal Bahamian has been quite busy.
EASTER RAFFLE
One thing about us in the 242, we’re very “thingsy”, meaning we like the good stuff! The Island Vibes Sports & Social Club hosted an Easter Raffle for team members who had a ball. Who wouldn’t? After all, they were raffling the likes of TVs, air fryers, microwaves and many other cool, cool prizes. How uncanny is it that one butler, Eric Gordon, picked his own name from the pile, walking away with a brand new Samsung Galaxy tab? Things that make you go, hmmm! The club’s president, Giles Williamson, shared that the support from the team was overwhelming. The team members are eagerly anticipating what’s next for the Island Vibes crew.
Under the leadership of General Manager, Adrian Whitehead, the team has been on a relentless quest to up the engagement ante, and from the look of things and feedback from guests and staff alike, the hard work is paying off.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the things the SRB team has been up to.
CELEBRATING EARTH DAY
In an effort to forge ahead with the mission of the Sandals Foundation to invest in our planet, the team at Sandals Royal Bahamian joined hands and hearts to plant close to 50 trees on Earth Day. A group of more than 20 volunteers including guests and staff journeyed to Garvin Tynes Primary School on the island, to plant fruit-bearing trees that were donated by the Gladstone Road Agricultural Centre and the Tall Pines Constituency. Since it was also Autism Awareness Month, the team planted the trees just outside the school’s Autism Centre so that the children can eat of its fruits when the time is ripe…ha! That’s very punny! But jokes aside, it was a beautiful day and the volunteers, students and teachers were a bunch of happy campers.
CANTEEN TAKEOVER
This activity was implemented at the start of the year where each month a different group of managers are required to come up with a theme, menu, dress code and do an overhaul of the operations of the staff cafeteria. Now, the latest was under a Bahamian theme. Yeah, I know it sounds like much thought didn’t go into it because that’s the territory but I can show you better than I can tell you because the team went all out. The activity was well received and has sent tongues wagging until this very day. Which day are you reading this? Yeah man, they’re talking about it still. The team invited the nation’s singing Bishop, a popular artiste and staple in the Bahamas, to the festivity, much to the delight of the team members who were enamored by his performance. Take a look at the clip and see for yourself, just how engaged the team members of Sandals Royal Bahamian were during the resort’s latest canteen takeover.
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DANCING WITH BRANDON GONZAGUE
Using the art-form of dance to express himself from the tender age of 10, Brandon Gonzague loves being part of the Entertainment team at Sandals Halcyon Beach. “I love having a job that allows me to pursue my passion and hone my skills on a daily basis.”
If you’re wondering just what type of dancing Brandon does, you would be amazed at the number of genres he can perform -- African (both modern and traditional), Salsa, Mariachi, Contemporary, Cultural and his favourite, Hip Hop. He is also skilled in acrobatics and gymnastics which he teaches.
His love for the art has led him to win competitions with his dance group ‘Fundamentals’ in 2014 and 2016.
When asked what is his favourite thing about being a professional entertainer at Sandals, Brandon says, “being in entertainment spans a lot more than just being a dancer. I get to learn a lot more in the field but I truly enjoy the fact that I can use my talent to impact people, to entertain them, to make them feel good, to make them smile.”
“I get to be me,” he expressed.
NEGRIL REGION
Food is a global celebration of experiences and emotions. It far transcends the boundaries of culinary sensibilities. Besides its primary role of sustaining our lives, food is also a great source of comfort, especially after physically- and/or mentally-taxing undertakings – like our day-today jobs. With this as well as the goal of connecting our team on a fundamental level in mind, we asked our team members to share a bit about the food(s) that comforts them after a long day at work.
ROSE-MARIE ROMANUS MYRON
Sandals Emerald Bay:
Ashlyn Munroe’s Princess Diary
Ashlyn Munroe, Epix Professional Imaging Supervisor at Sandals Emerald Bay, quotes Oprah Winfrey – “I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is.”
In Ashlyn’s words…
The journey of motherhood has proven to be simply amazing. My second princess, Ramiya Ferguson, arrived on February 1, 2023. Being blessed with two daughters is simply incredible, and I wholeheartedly believe family is the foundation of life.
The love and joy that Rashae and Ramiya Ferguson has encircled my heart with is unmatched and nothing can change this wonderful feeling. My life goal is to guide, protect, and direct their paths; ensuring they understand nothing is impossible or unreachable.
Bad Beach
Bartender: Micha from Sandals Grenada
INGREDIENTS
LIME JUICE
SIMPLE SYRUP
SPLASH OF RED WINE
CHERRY GARNISH
SHELDON JAMES A passion for hospitality
The Oxford Dictionary describes the word hospitality as: “The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers”. And if by hindsight the authors were to post photographs to accompany this definition, there then would probably be an image of Sheldon James because the newly minted Sandals Royal Plantation Hotel Manager is a man with a passion for hospitality.
His cool and calm demeanor is merely a mask for the zeal and dedication that course through his veins as he seeks to raise the standard of the industry in which he has spent well more than two decades. The funny thing is, however, James’ life could have taken a much different turn as his initial yearning was for a career in aviation.
Thankfully, aviation’s loss has been the hospitality industry and more importantly, Sandals’ gain.
“Before my advent into the Sandals family, I had a stint at Air Jamaica which I really loved,” notes James, a whisp of a smile on his face as the memories of a bygone era come flooding back. But it quickly disappears, and he is all business once again. “I was happy to be a part of the Air Jamaica experience with our late chairman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart,” he sighs. “Mr. Stewart really did some innovative and inspirational work and transformed the airline industry at the time. It’s a pity it had to end.”
When the government regained Air Jamaica, however, it was time for James to move on. Then Sandals came a calling and the dapper hotel manager outlines that it was a natural transition based on the service level he had been exposed to at Air Jamaica. “I love dealing with people. Hospitality is my nature and is in my blood, so taking the step was not hard. I was battlehardened and ready for the next phase of my growth and development.”
Sheldon James’ love for hospitality resulted in his Sandals journey starting in 2008 at Sandals Royal Caribbean under the watchful eyes and tutelage of the then-General Manager, Leighton Josephs, where he debuted as Director of Guest Services. “I chose Sandals because of the company’s solid reputation for delivering a high level of service within the industry, and since hospitality is my passion, guest services seemed the obvious choice to make,” James notes, his voice rising as he remembers his early years within Sandals and the start of a journey that has now catapulted him smack into the ranks of resort upper management.
HM SPOTLIGHT
After cutting his teeth and being “properly Sandalized” at Sandals Royal Caribbean, James transferred to Sandals Ocho Rios to work under the wings of the formidable Brian Roper who was general manager at the time. He describes his tenure at Sandals Ocho Rios as being extremely important in his growth as Roper was a great teacher who pushed him to the limit, allowing him to see his true potential.
Being the director of guest services for such a large property allowed James to tackle a myriad of guest complaints and kudos, improving his hospitality and problem-solving skills. Ready for his next challenge, it was back to Montego Bay where the flagship property, Sandals Montego Bay, and its indefatigable leader Joseph Zellner beckoned. So impressive was his stint at the first-ever Sandals resort that he caught the eye of Sandals Resorts International and his nomadic journey continued as he was promoted to the post of Hotel Manager at the boutique property, Grand Pineapple.
Of his various postings within the company, James has this to say. “I really learned a lot from all those leaders mentioned during my formative years in Sandals and each in their own way helped tremendously with my growth and development.”
The value of spending time at a small boutique hotel is not lost on James. At Grand Pineapple, he had to be involved in every facet of the hotel’s operation which added to his management repertoire and prepared him for the rest of the journey that was to come. Now a seasoned campaigner, his next stop was a return to Sandals Royal Caribbean, but this time as a vastly experienced Executive Assistant Manager. This was where James really cemented himself as a prime-time hotelier, spending eleven years at
the resort and leaving an indelible mark on the team.
James has established a reputation for being a team player, possessing an uncanny ability to bond with both managers and line team members alike. At Sandals Royal Caribbean, he had the awesome responsibility of overseeing the offshore island with its vaunted overwater suites and bungalows which boasted a much more demanding clientele that expected the highest level of hospitality. His work ethic and calm personality, even under difficult circumstances, endeared him to the team, and when his promotion to Hotel Manager was announced, it came with many bells and whistles.
November 2022 was a watershed period for James when he was promoted and packaged off to his current posting as Hotel Manager at
Sandals Royal Plantation, a smaller property but one with a world-class reputation for delivering a high level of hospitality to a loyal clientele.
“Sandals Royal Plantation is a fantastic boutique resort with amazing team members, and great leadership in the form of General Manager Arnold Nugent,” James says, taking a sip of water and issuing advice to a server. This man’s roving eyes never miss a beat as the happiness of his guests and staff is his primary motivation. “I just want to help add value to where I am at right now.”
James describes his Sandals journey as being “unbelievable”.
“We have amazing team members and what I look forward to in coming to work is seeing persons who started out in the Hospitality Training Programme now really blossoming into supervisory and management roles. Knowing that I have assisted in their growth and motivation gives me a special feeling.” He praises Sandals for having a programme that allows for growth and development among its cadre of employees.”
What is it that sets Sandals apart from the competition? “The approach to making the guests have an experience they will never forget and the innovation of always trying to give them more than they expect. It is creating these experiences that set us apart,” James observes.
Known to be a very private person, when he is not on the job James enjoys spending quality time with his family. His children, a son aged 18 and a daughter 10, keep him grounded and are the principal reasons why he pushes himself to the limit daily to succeed.
When not at work, James enjoys anything seafood or curried chicken with nan washed down with cold lemon beer. His other passion is music, and he listens to a wide variety of genres, ranging from conscious reggae and gospel to afro beats.
For Sheldon James, the sky is the limit and his life’s ambition is to continue shooting for the stars in the hospitality firmament and adhering to the Butch Stewart philosophy of “giving the guests more than he or she expects.”
Sandals Regency La Toc
Sending greetings to our friends
DANNAL STARR
EPIX team member, Dannal, says hello to Waynedell in Curaçao and thanks him for teaching him the ropes.
EPIX team member, Starr, says hello to Kathy and Waynedell in Curaçao.
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Team work makes the dream work! Beaches Negril’s Shanice and Sedean, butlers in training, combine efforts to showcase spectacular event décor.
Beaches Negril, is simply delighted to have found her seedling a new School during the recent Earth Day celebrations.
Reigning supreme in her paper palace, Dershea-Gaye of Beaches Negril is a regal representation of tastefully upcycled material.
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Sandals Foundation volunteer Jamal Watson showing how it’s done as Sandals Barbados joined the Deighton Griffith Secondary School PTA to help spruce up the firstform classrooms.
Sandals Emerald Bay Earth Day 2023 was shared with two local schools -- Stuart Manor Primary and Forest Primary on the Island of Exuma. During this time, the resort’s Landscaping Manager Duvann Munroe revealed fun facts about producing the best crop-planting results. To ensure the students fully understand the importance of why self-sustainability is vital to every community, the staff and guests engaged in fun games, displaying the meaning of Earth Day.
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Sandals Emerald Bay Earth Day 2023 was shared with two local schools -- Stuart Manor Primary and Forest Primary on the island of Exuma. During this time, the resort’s Landscaping Manager Duvann Munroe revealed fun facts about producing the best crop-planting results.
To ensure the students fully understand the importance of why self-sustainability is vital to every community, the staff and guests engaged in fun games, displaying the meaning of Earth Day.
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Captain Neil, Entertainment Manager, moonlights as the Easter Bunny! Lovable and adorable. We plan on keeping him at Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort for a very long time!
In a show of support for beat the afternoon traffic he will.
It was a magical day for team members who turned out in large numbers to help protect mother earth in a tree-planting exercise. More than 200 trees were planted! They came from many departments, but predominantly from the Earth Guardians group at Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort.
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Still trying to teach our not-so-new-anymore GM at Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort, Mike Nassiri, some Caribbean moves. One day... We have every guarantee that he will make it!
Easter celebrations at Sandals Halcyon Beach!
Recruitment & Compliance Manager Anafaye hands Housekeeper Denis with a lovely gift basket.
showcasing their up-cycled fashionable creations.
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Gotcha! Dining room servers
Rushane and Chryshelle enjoyed rafting down the Martha Brae River during Sandals Montego Bay’s Reunion Week off-property excursion.
Stop and smell the cedar? Sandals Resorts International’s Environment Health & Safety Group Manager,
Beauty is in full bloom at Sandals Negril and these enchanting Easter fairies are the centre of attention.
Yes, there were pirates at Sandals Royal Bahamian recently. They took the Reunion Week theme, “Treasure Everyday” to another level. We aren’t mad at it.
Sandals Royal
Telesa looked stunning in her Ball held on resort during the recently concluded Reunion
These managers from Sandals Royal Bahamian certainly their native androsian print shirts, the four were set and tucked away for the resort’s canteen takeover.
certainly had something to smile about. Clad in and ready to unveil all the surprises they
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Not a mess, creative newspaper
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Channeling the elements!
Entertainment Coordinators
Lekey (foreground) and Shamar brought the drama to Sandals Royal Caribbean’s recently held Earth Day body-painting activity.
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They like to move it, move it!!! Members of the Sandals Royal Caribbean team were bursting with energy after their morning workout in observance of World Health Day.
lovely ladies of Sandals Royal Caribbean Chef Ingrid (foreground) and Chef Rose-Ann admire the produce display at the resort’s recently held cooking demo.
That’s how it’s done!! The managers (from left) Rochelle, Milos and Shannakay left it all on the stage at Sandals Royal Caribbean’s recently held fashion show!
Sandals Royal Plantation’s Loyalty & Travel Manager Odane, and Loyalty & Travel Consultant Abigail are two of the reasons guests at Sandals Royal Plantation keep booking over and over again. Here they pose for the camera during the Reunion Week Masquerade Ball.
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The birthday celebrants for the month of April at Sandals Royal Plantation take great pleasure in cutting the cake at the monthly birthday party at the resort.
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Every day is a fairy tale at Sandals South Coast and Entertainment team member, Shavia is sure to dress the part. Diamond of the season, indeed.
A battle of the chefs! It was a fiery showdown or better yet…cook-off, between the Sandals South Coast chefs. Their guests, the judges, had a hard time choosing a winner.
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The beautiful ladies of the Sandals South Coast Front Office team know that a lot of ‘Sandals love’ is the icing on the cake when it comes to delivering excellent service.
There was nothing poisonous about this Ivy! Acting Front Office Manager at Sandals South Coast, Tracy Howell-Monrose was a true representation of one aspect of mother nature at the resort’s Earth Day fashion show.
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‘Service with a smile’ is always the mission for Bartender at Beaches Turks and Caicos, Johnny Philistin, as he makes one of his signature drinks for a young guest. It’s a chocolate banana milkshake at the Bayside bar.
Mastering the culinary craft of making Chef, Johnnie Sorita, one of the favourites Caicos whenever they need to explore resort.
Following a long day of planting Yellow Elder shrubs at the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School, the Sandals Foundation volunteers from Beaches Turks and Caicos share a moment with the cameras.
From left: Devon Williams, Food and Beverage Manager; Christelle Demosthere, Weddings & Romance Manager; Nathalie Johnson, Assistant Manager Concierge; Karien Penn, Driver; Robin Cox-Foster, Principal; and Lesley Preval, Landscaper.
A team of Sandals Foundation volunteers Jolly Primary School in Providenciales Room Attendant; James McAnally, Senior, Housekeeping Supervisor; Director of Sales, Groups and Conventions.
making spicy tuna sushi is what makes Sushi favourites for guests at Beaches Turks and explore the delights of Asian cuisine at the
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volunteers at Beaches Turks and Caicos recently visited the Oseta Providenciales to conduct Earth Day activities. From left: Karen Redman, McAnally, General Manager; Maxine Williams, Kids Camp Counselor; Tomoia Supervisor; Audie Johnson, Housekeeping Supervisor; and Tanya Swann, Conventions.
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As Beaches Turks and Caicos celebrates Earth Day 2023, Maranatha Luma, Kids Camp Counselor, models the outfit made from discarded brochures on the ‘catwalk’ in the Italian Village.