What per week. 9 resorts. 4 days. No script. I’ve traveled to the Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Jamaica extra occasions than I might ever depend, in my position as Senior Vice President of Buyer Engagement, Perception, and Loyalty. Often, I’m capturing quick movies for social media. However I’d by no means carried out something like this. I needed to expertise the meals, the swimming pools, even the Caribbean Sea from the footprints of a visitor at Sandals and Seashores. Alongside the way in which, I’d interact in dozens of natural conversations with drivers, concierges, hostesses, housekeepers, concierges, landscapers, {couples} and even a basic supervisor gone viral on TikTok. There can be no storyboard. I merely needed, as soon as and for all, to demystify a query: Why will we at all times depart Jamaica feeling completely different than after we first arrive? The island and the resorts change into uniquely private. I don’t get that feeling anyplace else. Why does it occur right here, in Jamaica?
The primary dialog got here up earlier than I even left New York. Within the terminal at JFK Airport, I bumped into a number of individuals headed to Sandals.
A preview of Peter Menges’ journey all through Jamaica from the brand new sequence, “From Jamaica, With Love,” now on YouTube.
“Which one are you going to?” I requested one couple.
“Sandals Montego Bay.”
“How about you?” I requested one other couple.
“Sandals Ochi.”
“The place are you going?” one of many {couples} requested me.
“Montego Bay. Ochi. Dunn’s River. Royal Caribbean. Royal Plantation. South Coast. Negril. Seashores Negril. And Seashores Ocho Rios.”
They weren’t positive how one can interpret what they only heard as we boarded the aircraft for Jamaica.
Pictured: Sandals Resorts’ flagship resort, Sandals Montego Bay, in Jamaica.
It began at my first cease: Sandals South Coast
The scene on this Sandals property tucked between the ocean and a nature protect appeared the identical as at all times. The solar shining. Folks smiling. You may shut your eyes at Sandals South Coast and sense the relaxed vitality of a tropical trip escape. There had been a number of speak within the media about attainable storm harm after Hurricane Beryl. In every single place I appeared, I assumed, “Am I in the fitting place?”
Pictured: The Rondoval Village at Sandals South Coast
Now, it was not misplaced on me that some areas across the island have been extra impacted than others, however I felt related to its restoration by the use of the Sandals Foundation’s Relief Mission, which was set as much as help these communities. Sandals Resorts Worldwide absolutely funds the administration of the Sandals Basis, so simply by being a visitor of Sandals, you might be part of the broader trigger; and if compelled to donate, 100% of donations will go instantly in direction of the Relief Mission.
I shortly skilled, first-hand, what I already knew: my go to to Jamaica, and that of fellow vacationers, makes a big distinction in these efforts, sending a message that claims, We’re right here for you. And for the Group Members who welcomed visitors, myself included, there was just one prevailing temper throughout the island: Pleasure. Pure pleasure.
I prefer to swim within the ocean early within the morning
Wading into the nice and cozy sea is a comforting approach for me to begin any day within the Caribbean. That feeling dominates all the day. Sure, the attractive climate and the colours of the sky and ocean are calming influences. However I’ve been to attractive locations throughout the Caribbean and there’s one thing that feels just a little further particular right here.
Pictured: Sandals’ signature Overwater Bungalows at Sandals South Coast.
I’m not shy, so I requested different visitors, “what’s it about Jamaica?” The conversations all throughout the island change into like a refrain: “it’s the quintessential Caribbean hospitality.” The individuals sounded as amazed with Jamaicans and who they’re at their core as they’re with an Ocho Rios waterfall or a Negril sundown.
On this journey, I appeared for cracks within the total perspective behind the scenes. There are none. The extent of enthusiasm and pleasure will not be switched on for visitors after which switched off. It’s a part of the DNA in Jamaica, which is synonymous with hospitality. Every resort actually is “dwelling.” Each particular person actually is “household.” It’s true for the workers and the visitors. So, the Sandals and Seashores spirit turns into a catalyst for the workers to do what they like to do: ship a tremendous expertise for visitors, and this week I used to be blessed to be amongst them.
Pictured: A group member shakes up a cocktail for visitors at Sandals Dunn’s River.
As a visitor, it’s simple to overlook that is work for group members
For us, it might be a job. For them, it’s a lifestyle. Making individuals completely satisfied actually makes them happiest. I’ve by no means skilled something prefer it anyplace else. At Sandals Montego Bay, I noticed a visitor method the final supervisor and ask him to take an image of her with a group member. It wasn’t the one time or place the place I noticed resort group members included within the making of treasured trip recollections.
We now have this “north star” referred to as Sandals 2.0
It’s a guideline that permeates all the firm and all of the resorts. We’re at all times considering, “How can we enhance the visitor expertise?” As I traveled round Jamaica, dedicated to being within the second, I observed how the pure identification of every area is mirrored in resort improvements. Sandals Dunn’s River has the flowing water of the close by Dunn’s River Falls, an unparalleled assortment of Jamaica’s quintessential spirit on the Dunn’s Rum Membership and Coyaba Sky Villas with non-public rooftops, telescopes, and a stargazing concierge to look as much as the unequalled Caribbean evening sky. However there’s no such factor as innovating for the sake of innovating. Every nuance has a higher goal and as I raised a toast to Jamaica alongside visitors sipping Rum Outdated Fashioneds, it grew to become further clear that these small particulars foster a number of island love.
Throughout premiere episode of “From Jamaica, With Love,” Peter Menges takes an exluisve tour of Sandals Dunn’s River alongside the resort’s Basic Supervisor, Deryk Meany.
It is at all times in regards to the visitors
At Beaches Negril, I sat down at a picnic desk to take notes whereas drying off after a swim. A couple of mother and father sat close to me with informal bites from the brand new meals vehicles. What actually struck me is how the outside consuming space is designed subsequent to the waterpark so these mother and father might eat and never lose sight of their youngsters. That’s the sort of thought that goes into new ideas: Make each second distinctive, pleasant, and enjoyable.
Pictured: Negril’s well-known seven-mile shore at Seashores Negril.
Household takes care of household, proper?
I met a multi-generational household from Pittsburgh. They selected to rejoice a commencement at Seashores due to the pleasant workers and the worry-free surroundings. These aren’t my phrases; that’s what they instructed me. So did others. A pair retying the knot in Negril, honeymooners at Ochi, and a pair visiting Jamaica for the twenty fourth time and staying at Sandals Dunn’s River for the primary time. Jamaica felt like dwelling — besides rather a lot prettier and much more enjoyable.
If I needed to reveal the key to the sauce?
It’s relationships. And I believe that’s what’s occurred through the years: Sandals and Seashores visitors have developed a most profound relationship with Jamaica. It’s an unbreakable bond with the island and its individuals and with Sandals as their dwelling away from dwelling.
Pictured: Sandals Resorts group members greeting visitors with heat smiles at Sandals Dunn’s River.
I imagine this was Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s intent from day one
As a Jamaican, Gordon “Butch” Stewart lived the island spirit earlier than he opened the primary Sandals in Montego Bay. You handle individuals — your loved ones, your neighbors, your workers, and your visitors. Give them a cushty place to be themselves. If you happen to try this and constantly increase the bar, you’ll present the perfect trip expertise anybody can probably ship. It’s by no means been as clear to me as it’s now.
Pictured: Sandals Montego Bay Swim-Up Suites
These 4 days have been in contrast to something I’ve ever skilled
With nothing scripted or exactly scheduled, I started to develop a deeper connection to the visitors, group members, resorts and island. Truthfully. I am going again to Butch Stewart opening Sandals throughout Jamaica’s most profound cultural motion: One Love. I might make the case that his motivation is as apparent right this moment because it was again then — perhaps extra apparent. It’s the embodiment of Sandals.
None of those observations are polished for a narrative
They’re all true. That is what I skilled, together with this closing scene. As I sat on the aircraft rising up from Montego Bay, I appeared out the window on the crystal blue sea and had my very own splendidly overwhelming revelation: I’d fallen in love with Jamaica over again, and there was now not any thriller about why.
Pictured: Visitors of Sandals Resorts gliding throughout Ocho Rios’ coast on a hobie cat.
