The Grenada Trade Centre recently transformed into an elaborate fusion of colors and celebration as Sandals Grenada Resort honoured team members during the Annual Prestige Awards under the theme “Kaleidoscope”.
This major event is the culmination of the resort’s monthly awards held throughout 2024. Categories span from most guest mentioned, people’s choice (as voted by the resort staff), to the pinnacle being the diamond team member category or team member of the year. Awardees received plaques, certificates, monetary rewards, appliances, electronics and for select categories, complimentary vacations at Sandals/ Beaches Resorts.
Quoting a mantra of Adam Stewart Sandals Resorts executive chairman, Sunil Ramdeen, regional public relations manager stated, “you can have the most elaborate facilities and amenities, but it is up to us to humanize the concrete. People don’t come back to see the tiles, they return because of the superior service and bonds made during their vacation. Therefore we have to thank the people who create that indelible difference and create memories of a lifetime at our resorts.”
Another moving mantra of the night was, “People don’t care how much you know, once they know that you care. If I can only convince the guest that I care, then I know I have a guest for this trip, and the next, and the next” shared winner of the Legendary (Most Guest Mentioned) Team Member Award, Glendon Reid, a butler and original team member since 2013.
His colleague from the rooms division of the resort, the front office manager, Ariel Gordon, took home the title of Manager of the Year. Also from that division- Anthonette Raymond, assistant housekeeping manager received the Founder’s Circle Award, denoting her dedicated service in hospitality.
The hall ruptured into applause, as the beloved Natasia Edwards- Charles, staff restaurant manager, was awarded Heart of the House, as selected and presented by hotel manager, Rohan Louis.
A notable element of success that echoed throughout the celebration was constant references to colleagues and mentors in winners’ acceptance speeches. At Sandals Grenada team work is evidently making the dream work. This was proven as the executive panel couldn’t select one department of the year but instead bestowed double honors to the housekeeping department and the bars department.
Capturing the top award, Diamond Team Member of the Year, with her top- of- the- shelf service, was cocktail waitress, Kisselle Frederick, better known among the guests as ‘Kisses’ or ‘English’. Runner- up for team member of the year or Platinum Team Member of the Year, no stranger to the prestige awards, and long serving team member was massage therapist, Camille Alexander.
After transferring from the water sports department, to become the resort’s fitness instructor, Grantly Charles, has made remarkable progress and so received the Pacesetter Award. His former water sports teammate, Stevon Samuel received the Earth Guardian Award for upkeep of standards, records and best practices with health and safety in mind. His supervisor, a former Diamond Team Member, Curtis Bailey was awarded Supervisor of the Year.
Also from the water sports team, known for her passionate approach and consistent participation in outreach activities, thus capturing the Sandals Foundation Sentinel Award, Ann- Marie Mason- Taitt.
According to General Manager, Peter Fraser, “tonight we honoured team work, and dedication to the development, growth and success of OUR hotel.”
Other winning honorees were: Kenny McIntyre, steward, Mover & Shaker; Keisha Clarke, spa therapist, Money Maker; Rhonda Philogene, purchasing manager, Standing Ovation; Lisha Belfon, food & beverage administrative assistant, People’s Choice and Josh Mitchell, room technician, Circle of Joy Award.
