Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the Sandals Resort media luncheon in West Los Angeles, at The London Hotel. Members of the press dined on a 3 course meal that inlcuded deconstructed salad, baked salmon, and chocolate soufflé. During the event, I was greeted by representatives of Sandals Resorts which included the CEO Adam Stewart; General Manager of Antigua Resort & Spa, Gaurav “Mr. G” Sindhi; Director of Industry Relations, David Roper; and the most enthusiastic wedding director that I have ever encountered, Marsha-Ann Brown.
Prior to walking into this event, I was a little apprehensive about being in attendance at a Sandals Resort event. I was fully aware of the previous controversy that surrounded the brand; and aside from the colorful commercials that appear as a distant dream on my television… I didn’t have a lot of information on the resort. This press event, which includes other US tour stops, seemed to have been put in place to reintroducing the public to this long standing family owned business. I walked away with the feeling that Sandals Resorts is more than prepared to step into the 21st century and maintain its position as the “Most Awarded All-Inclusive Resorts Ever”.
“In March 2009, Stewart launched The Sandals Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International.”
The most interesting thing that I learned during this event was that Sandals Resort does outreach in the surrounding communities in the vicinity of their individual properties. Regardless of what resort one visits, guest have the option to participate in activities, tours, and excursions sponsored by the property which also includes volunteer work. I don’t think I have ever heard of a resort offering their guest the option to give back during their vacation by making volunteer work an option. Not only can you volunteer, one can donate food, clothing, and of course money. Sandals has a volunteer activity called the Reading Road Trip, that gives guest the opportunity to spend time with children, and participate in activities aimed at improving literacy, comprehension and vocabulary among students. For more information, click on the link above.
I am always looking for new and unconventional ways to vacation, and the community service aspect has peaked my interest past level 10. I will keep you all posted on my plans to visit the Sandals properties in the future.
Check out the below for a complete list of Sandals properties.
Sandals Resorts properties include:
- Sandals Montego Bay;
- Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island;
- Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort;
- Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa;
- Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa;
- Sandals Royal Plantation Ocho Rios, Jamaica;
- Sandals Carlyle Montego Bay, Jamaica;
- Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort;
- Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa in St. Lucia;
- Sandals Halcyon Beach St. Lucia;
- Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa;
- Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island;
- Sandals Emerald Bay Great Exuma, Bahamas;
- Sandals Barbados Resort & Spa; and
- Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort & Spa Grenada
