We wrapped up the morning show today and had a pile of guests on from the hotel from the singing waiter to the owner of Sandals! Getting up didn't seem to be hard either as with the time change, we didn't need to be on the air till 7am PA time AND the walk down to the main house when it was sunny and +25* sure wasn't hard to do either! Everyday they had a wonderful full breakfast buffet waiting for us and always surprised us with some interesting food. Today was an apple dipped in dark chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate. Very decadent and VERY messy to eat!
We were pampered beyond belief. Now I know maybe your thinking it's because we are the media and they want to leave a good impression. Well we never wore a badge around and were treated fantastically everywhere and by everyone we met! I have nothing but RAVE reviews of every aspect of this place, including all 750 employees that keep it running so smooth. From details like Trevor getting a call to ask how everything was and he said good except there were no cookies in his room (as a joke, but he does love cookies) within a half hour there was a plate full of cookies delivered to his room!
You start to really understand this resorts uniqueness when you start looking at the little details. Things like premium drinks and bars everywhere. Shuttle service running all the time to take you around to the three resorts (this place is HUGE!), smaller Villa Taxi's that will drive you anywhere you want to go in the complex, Food galore and I'm talking real fancy pants, rich folk kinda eatin! Each supper meal we have had could easily have cost around $100 no problem. Last night we went to the Japanese Restaurant and were not only fed beyond belief, but the chef was hilarious and knew his sole purpose at that time was to make us have a good time and deliver the best food he can - he delivered both in spades!
We met a lot of great people from all over the place...Texas Oil rich people to last night, a really nice Nebraskan couple on their honeymoon. Everyone is friendly and I also found, very interested in Canada.
The grounds and hotel overall are kept IMMACULATE. There are people out at 5am with leaf blowers making the streets shine. Always trimming the bushes, painting the lamp poles, washing sidewalks, cleaning bathrooms every 20 minutes, on and on! Our rooms are spotless, heck we walked in on the maid this morning and she was cleaning our shower curtain! That may seem excessive but you really appreciate to effort they put in to make staying here something no one else can deliver. They have posters up at our broadcast tent telling us how they have more of ______ than any other hotel chain in the world, from water sports, to pools, to restaurants, to nightclubs, to family friendly activities etc. I can easily see what.
They also are very conscious of the environment. Sandals has won numerous environmental awards for their efforts to conserve. It is everywhere and they are proud of it. In resorts this big, it can really add up! They take car of the people that work here. Most that I talked to have been here years and love it! One guy (a waiter) this morning summed it up best "I love working here because I love seeing people happy, that makes me happy" They fully train every single person that works here, they send their butlers to a most prestigious butler school in the world in England, and they are offering a university like course to help the people here advance and succeed.
I know this may sound like a commercial for Sandals but it all really is true. Even so I can't express nor say all the numerous things that made our stay here fantastic!
Our winners, Christina and Loran had a blast! They were out and about everyday and when we did see them, they just glowed! What fantastic people and I hope we remain friends forever! I know they have already talked to the hotel about booking another stay here later this year as they were blown away and now want to share their fun with other family members! I have no doubt they will be back here!
This evening we went to the Steakhouse here at the main hotel. Our table was right by poolside and it looked incredible at night!
There was a couple right beside us, who obviously bought the ultra deluxe stay including their own personal butler on call 24/7. We watched as he meticulously laid our rose petals in the shape of a heart facing where the lady would sit. He folded every petal the exact same way. He had a whole different set of table ware and brought the chef out to take the order for their meal. They also got a frosty bottle of Dom ($200 a bottle champagne) This guy was around them anticipating every want before they even asked for it. It was really something to see in action.
I know there are a hundred more things I could touch on, but all I can say is that last year was incredible, but this year, after all these renovations ---- this really is 7 star luxury! If your planning an all inclusive vacation, your now warned that IF you come to Sandals first, you will be VERY disappointed in anywhere else you go!
Off to bed as we have to be packed and our bags at the front desk by 11am, spend a few more hours wondering around, then on the bus to the airport at 4 to catch our plane back to Winnipeg. We don't get into there till after 1am so we have a quick lay over and fly out Sunday arriving back home around 12"30 (just in case anyone wants to come and greet us with banners and roses!)
We were welcomed back again next year and will once again bring some guests with us! I also was able to talk the manager into giving us another trip to give away, so keep listening for details on that real soon, and YOU can come and experience all we have been talking about!
Garth
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