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.