What a great week. 9 resorts. 4 days. No script. Sandals and Beach Resort As Senior Vice President of Customer Engagement, Insights and Loyalty, I have been to Jamaica countless times. I usually shoot short videos for social media, but I had never done anything like this. I wanted to experience the food, the pool and even the Caribbean Sea from the footsteps of Sandals and Beaches guests. Along the way, I had dozens of spontaneous conversations with drivers, concierges, hostesses, housekeepers, concierges, landscapers, couples and even a general manager who is trending on TikTok. There is no storyboard. I just wanted to answer one question once and for all: Why do we feel different when we leave Jamaica than when we first arrived? The island and the resort will be special to me. I never feel that way anywhere else. Why is it here in Jamaica?
Our first conversation took place before I left New York, when I met a few people in the JFK terminal who were heading to Sandals.
A sneak peek at Peter Menges’ journey across Jamaica in his new series, “From Jamaica With Love,” available on YouTube.
“Where are you going?” I asked a couple.
“Sandals Montego Bay”
“What about you?” I asked another couple.
“Sandals falling off.”
“Where are you going?” one of the couple asked me.
“Montego Bay. Ocho Rios. Dunn’s River. Royal Caribbean. Royal Plantation. South Coast. Negril. Negril beach. And Ocho Rios beach.”
As we boarded the plane to Jamaica, they didn’t know what to make of what they had just heard.
Photo: Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Resorts’ flagship resort in Jamaica.
It all started with our first stop: Sandals South Coast.
Nestled between the ocean and the nature reserve, the landscape on the Sandals property is the same as always. The sun is shining and people are smiling. When I close my eyes at Sandals South Coast, I can feel the relaxed energy of a tropical getaway. After Hurricane Beryl, there was a lot of media coverage about potential storm damage. Everywhere I looked I wondered, “Am I in the right place?”
Photo: Rondoval Village at Sandals South Coast
I knew that some areas of the island were hit harder than others; Sandals Foundation Relief Effortswas established to support these communities. Sandals Resorts International fully funds the operations of the Sandals Foundation, so by simply being a Sandals guest you can be part of the broader cause. If you are asked to make a donation, 100% of your donation will go directly to the Foundation. Relief efforts.
I quickly experienced firsthand what I already knew: My visit to Jamaica, and the visits of other travelers, has made a huge difference in these efforts, sending the message: “We are here for you.” And for me, and the team members who hosted our guests, the vibe that permeated the entire island was one of joy. Pure joy.
I like to swim in the sea early in the morning.
Stepping into the warm waters is a soothing way for me to start my day in the Caribbean. And that feeling lingers all day. Sure, the beautiful weather and the colors of the sky and sea have a calming effect. But even though I’ve been to amazing places all over the Caribbean, there’s something a little special about this place.
Photo: Sandals’ signature overwater bungalows on the Sandals South Coast.
Not being shy, I asked the other guests, “What’s Jamaica like?”, and the conversation rang out in unison across the island. “It’s the quintessence of Caribbean hospitality.” People seemed to marvel at Jamaicans and their true essence as much as they did at the waterfalls of Ocho Rios or the sunsets of Negril.
On this trip, I looked for flaws in the overall attitude behind the scenes. There weren’t any. The enthusiasm and joy level never fades after being switched on for guests. It’s part of Jamaican DNA and synonymous with hospitality. Every resort is truly a “home.” Everyone is truly a “family.” That applies to staff and guests alike. The Sandals and Beaches ethos inspires our staff to do what they love – creating amazing experiences for our guests, and this week I was lucky to be a part of that.
Pictured: A team member mixes cocktails for guests at Sandals Dunn’s River.
As a guest, it’s easy to forget that this is the job of a team member
For us it’s a job, but for them it’s a way of life. Making people happy is what makes them truly happy. I have never experienced anything like this anywhere else. At Sandals Montego Bay, I saw guests approach the General Manager and ask to take a photo with a team member. This was not the only time I saw resort team members taking part in creating precious vacation memories.
We have a “North Star” called Sandals 2.0
This is a guiding principle that permeates our entire company and all our resorts. We are constantly asking ourselves, “How can we improve the guest experience?” As we traveled Jamaica and committed to savoring the moment, we noticed that the natural identity of each region was reflected in the innovations of our resorts. Sandals Dunn’s River features the cascading waters of nearby Dunn’s River Falls, while Dunn’s Rum Club brings together the quintessential Jamaican spirit in a unique way. Coyaba Sky Villas feature private rooftops, telescopes and a private pool. Stargazing Concierge Looking up at the unparalleled Caribbean night sky, however, there is no such thing as innovation for the sake of innovation. Each nuance has a bigger purpose And as we toasted to Jamaica with our guests over Rum Old Fashioneds, it became even more apparent that it’s these little details that add up to so much love for the island.
In the premiere episode of “From Jamaica With Love,” Peter Menges takes us on an exclusive tour of Sandals Dunn’s River with the resort’s General Manager, Derrick Meaney.
Always guest-centered
in Beach NegrilAfter my swim, I sat at a picnic table drying off and taking notes. A couple of parents were sitting near me eating snacks they’d bought from a new food truck. What really impressed me was how the outdoor eating area next to the water park was designed to help parents keep track of their kids while they dine. That’s the kind of thought that went into the new concept. Make every moment unique, fun and relaxing.
Photo: Negril’s famous seven-mile coastline at Beaches Negril.
Family cares for family, right?
I met a multi-generational family from Pittsburgh who chose to celebrate their graduation at Beaches because of the friendly staff and worry-free environment. These are not my words, they are what they told me. Others have said it too: a couple who remarried in Negril, a couple who honeymooned at Ochi, a couple who have visited Jamaica 24 times and stayed at Sandals Dunn’s River for the first time. Jamaica was just like home, only more beautiful and more fun..
What if you were to reveal a secret about your sauce?
It’s a relationship. And I think that’s what’s happened over the years. Sandals and Beaches guests have developed a very deep relationship with Jamaica. An unbreakable bond I love the island, the people and Sandals as my second home.
Photo: Sandals Resorts team members greet guests with warm smiles at Sandals Dunn’s River.
I believe this was Gordon “Butch” Stewart’s intention all along.
Jamaican Gordon “Batch” Stewart embodied the island spirit even before he opened the first Sandals in Montego Bay. You care for people: family, neighbors, staff, and guests. Give your guests a comfortable place to be themselves, and if you keep raising the bar, you’ll give everyone the best vacation experience we can offer. That’s never been more evident than it is now.
Photo: Sandals Montego Bay Swim Up Suites
These past four days have been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
There was no script, no precise plan, nothing. I began to develop a deeper connection with the guests, team members, the resort, and the island. Honestly, my roots go back to Butch Stewart, who opened Sandals during Jamaica’s deepest cultural movement, One Love, and I would say his motivation is just as clear now, maybe even clearer, which is what Sandals represents.
None of these observations are sophisticated as stories.
All of this is true. This is what I experienced, including this final scene. As I sat on the plane ascending from Montego Bay, gazing out the window at the crystal blue ocean, I had my own amazing and overwhelming revelation. I fell in love with Jamaica all over againand there was no longer any mystery as to why.
Photo: Sandals Resort guests glide along the coast of Ocho Rios on a Hobie Cat.
