May 17th, 2012 | 
Author: Sandals Royal Bahamian
This was a first-time Sandals trip, having visited a number of the other all-inclusives. We booked through Penny based on the referral of a mutual friend, and I must say connections DO count! We were booked into a Cable Beach King Ocean View Concierge, along with another couple, with a request for adjacent rooms that was not fulfilled at check-in. Initial assignment was on the third floor, with a marginal (at best) view of the ocean. Attempts to relocate with adjoining rooms initially resulted in an offer of ground floor rooms almost behind one of the restaurants, which would have completely blocked any view. Then Penny stepped I behind the scenes ….. Working through the GM, we were offered adjoining rooms on the sixth floor, with fabulous views. We were also able to garner dinner reservations that had previously been unavailable through the concierge. Like I said, connections DO count.
Now for comments on the resort. First the pros:
- airport transfer was smooth and seamless
- the food was generally better than my experience at other all-inclusives, notably the French restaurant. If you are hungry between meals, there is an excellent pizza stand right between the two pools and the beach.
- the pool environment was outstanding, one “party” pool, one more relaxed, swim-up bars in both
- beach tiki huts: we never had a problem getting a hut, though we are used to the early morning routine for “reserving”
- beach: nice protected swimming areas, though the right side of the pier is definitely better
- Sandals Cay: this is where paradise truly rests. Get the first boat out (it sometimes leaves before its published 10am time), and enjoy the peace and quiet. We were able to garner the isolated hut and umbrella out on the point past the spa, and had complete privacy …. Idyllic! And for lunch, the Goombay restaurant had wonderful food. Take your snorkel gear and enjoy the waters offshore
- watersports: took advantage of the scuba, hobie cats, reef snorkeling trip. Staff very helpful, especially the dive crew. And if you haven’t done it yet, do the shark dive ….. Awesome!
Now a few cons:
- getting a drink was sometimes a challenge. It seemed the staff had studied the art of easy-going, and with the strict no-tipping rules, there is no way to encourage attentiveness. That said, I had all I needed/wanted, and they would fix the drinks the way you wanted
- we had to leave …………
In summary, if you want to go to a Sandals, book through Penny. She will make sure your trip is everything you expect, and more ….
With appreciation,
Adrian, Mary, Chris and Stephanie
New York
Posted in 
Why now? Personally, I’ve found that the likelihood of using a travel agent increases in direct proportion to the abundance and complexity of travel options you can find on the Internet. Many travelers are discovering the following:
• In offering more options and amenities, online travel sites have actually made it more confusing to figure out what they are selling, not less so.
• The explosion of restrictions and fees — many of which are not obvious to the casual travel buyer — further muddies understanding of the bottom line on any itinerary.
• The absence of a number of popular airlines from major booking engines — the juggernaut Southwest being the most glaring — eliminates what could well turn out to be a specific traveler’s absolute best itinerary.
• The big online travel sites got too smart for their own good; by tidying up and repackaging all the data each according to their own assumptions about travel purchasing, they show us what they think we want to see, but not always what we really want to see. That is, by becoming “online travel agents,” rather than mere booking sites, they end up in competition with real travel agents, who can usually do the work better than computers can.
• Despite being “smarter” and more comprehensive than ever, the typical travel booking experience has way too many dead ends. Whether it be the inability to get seats together, or disappearing fare sales, or the inability to lock in a fare for a short time, booking online is like being trapped inside a bad video game with countless trapdoors and false exits.
March 21, 2012, Sandals Resorts International was pleased to mark the official launch of the Sandals Corporate University (SCU), the company’s adult education program for Caribbean nationals employed by Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts.
In an effort to continuously elevate the skill level of its more than 10,000 employees across the Caribbean, the Chairman and Founder of Sandals Resorts, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, along with CEO, Adam Stewart, announced the introduction of the SCU, which is the first of its kind in the Caribbean. The SCU will certify staff members without formal academic qualifications, and provide eligible team members with an avenue to advance their education.
Through partnerships with internationally-recognized universities, such as Canada-based Ryerson University, the SCU’s programs place staff members on a path that can ultimately lead to a masters and/or doctoral degrees. Similar partnerships with the Western Hospitality Institute in Jamaica offer SCU participants the chance to obtain associate and bachelor’s degrees. The Jamaica Foundation for Life Long Learning will also provide classes in Mathematics and English for those in pursuit of high school equivalency.
Covering an array of disciplines, courses and programs range from basic hospitality-specific training to professional certifications, and are designed to meet internationally accredited standards. Courses are administered by certified hospitality educators trained by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute, as well as Sandals-trained certified departmental instructors.
SCU’s core courses are free to team members, and programs offered in conjunction with external institutions may have additional costs. To assist with these expenses, scholarship funds and opportunities are in place to help qualified team members.
Students partaking in the SCU courses will attend classes at Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts. Upon successful completion of each course or program, team members will be issued a certificate and their progress will be noted on their individual SCU ‘passport’ – a summary transcript of their learning journey, which will track their development and certifications.
Don’t expect relief from high gasoline prices by flying to your spring break vacation. Airfares already are up this year, and every sign is they’ll remain high for summer vacation, too.
Industry analysts say travelers can expect little respite from further efforts by the airlines to increase fares the rest of the year as they seek to recoup higher fuel costs and post a profit.
“We haven’t seen anything yet, as far as where airfares are going to go,” warns George Hobica, founder of Airfarewatchdog.com, which also monitors ticket prices. “Consumers need to readjust their expectations and what they consider to be a low fare.”
U.S. airlines spent about $50.5 billion last year on fuel, up from $38.8 billion in 2010, and they raised ticket prices nine times last year, largely to offset those costs and make a profit. All major U.S. airlines except American, which sought bankruptcy protection in November, posted a profit last year .
But Southwest Airlines, the most consistently profitable U.S. carrier, said Tuesday that high fuel prices will keep it from posting a profit for the first three months of this year.
We have some great news! Two of our resorts have been qualified as finalists for About.com’s 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards! The Readers’ Choice Awards are intended to give web users an opportunity to decide on the best products in multiple categories ranging from technology to teens to travel. We’re thrilled that the following resorts have been nominated in the site’s “Romantic Reader’s Choice Awards” category:
- Sandals Emerald Bay Great Exuma, Bahamas has been nominated for the “Best Honeymoon All-Inclusive” award
- Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa has been nominated for “Favorite All-Inclusive Resort for Families in the Caribbean”
As these awards are complete reader-based, we’re so pleased that our resorts’ high standards, top-notch service and excellent product have created such loyal fans that have nominated us for these honors.
We would appreciate your support in voting for these two hotels at the following links:
Sandals Emerald Bay:
http://honeymoons.about.com/od/romantic-readers-choice-awards/l/bl-best-honeymoon-all-inclusive.htm
Beaches Turks & Caicos:
You may vote once a day for each email address between now and March 21st 2012. The winners will be announced on March 30, 2012.
Sandals Resorts reopened the renamed Balmoral Tower (formerly the Manor House), the centerpiece of Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island on Cable Beach in Nassau.
What began as a cleanup operation following Hurricane Irene last August became a $17 million upgrade and renovation that included the addition of balconies to 35 oceanview rooms and the conversion of 11 ground-floor rooms to walkout units with access to the pool area.
All of the 144 rooms and suites have a lighter, contemporary look with travertine tiling instead of carpet, mahogany entertainment units with 42-inch plasma TVs, a bar area, refrigerator and renovated bathrooms with marble double vanities.
Beachfront fire pits and an expanded lounge area also are part of the new look.
All-inclusive rates at the Balmoral Tower start at $681 per person, per night, double, although an introductory discount of 55% currently is in effect through March 22.
Email Penny today – travelagent@cableone.net
Penny Sheldon Travel
Boise, Idaho
It all began about 20 years ago when Penny, who at the time was the Executive Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for two states, went on a vacation to Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This trip to Sandals was planned for her Birthday by a gentleman that she was dating at the time. Penny was a well-seasoned traveler who was used to traveling around the globe. She stayed at all of the finest places and confesses that she was quite a travel snob. She had never even considered going to a Sandals Resort!
Once at Sandals Grande Riviera, Penny realized that she loved the All-Inclusive concept! After her return, over the next couple of years, she visited six more Sandals Resorts. It was after those trips that Penny had decided that she would leave her job and start her own Home-Based Travel Agency.
At the time that Penny opened Penny Sheldon Travel, the home-based travel agent community that is around today did not exist. She was truly a pioneer in this area of the travel business. It was a grass roots effort to follow her vision and launch her one woman office. Penny says that she’s often been asked why she doesn’t hire outside agents, join a group or add a booking engine to her web site. She explains that she’s a hands on person and her clients want only her! She says that she can guarantee them something that none of the above offer and that’s passion! That passion translates to her clients who know that they can trust and rely on her to send them to Paradise without a concern!
Penny believes in the Sandals product and the Sandals Family – and says that Sandals is her second family! She knew that she was family when during the opening of the new village in Antigua she asked Sandals CEO, Adam Stewart, for a “little bling” Sandals pin that he was wearing. (Thinking that it was something new that was coming to the gift shop). He took it right off and said “sure Penny”! She gave him a hug, said thank you and put it on. Then he said – “Penny, I want 50 more bookings”! In shock she questioned 50 more bookings? After all she was already booking 200 a year by herself. She asked him when he expected her to find time to do that. He just looked at her, smiled and said – “Penny, that’s platinum, diamonds and one of a kind custom made pin.” Penny responded – my computer is my room – I’ll get right on it!
Years ago, Penny decided to specialize in Selling Sandals Resorts and today Penny’s clients span the globe. Her reputation for honesty, knowledge and the best service has afforded her referrals from around the world. Penny says that she has a passion for Sandals and Beaches because she believes in it! Penny has recently been inducted into the very prestigious “Chairman’s Royal Club level”, which is reserved for the very top sellers and also recognized by Sandals Resorts as Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
Airlines are paring flights on some routes this fall as well as into next year in the face of high fuel prices and an uncertain economy.
Among the cuts:
Delta said last week it would reduce available seats up to 5% from October through December compared with the last three months of 2010, and cut them by 2% to 3% in 2012 compared with this year.
American made reductions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays by up to 4% starting in August. Last week it said it would cut available seats for the final three months of the year by roughly 0.5%.
United and Continental , which are merged, say the combined airline continues “to refine its capacity plans,” and reductions likely will be 2% to 3% for domestic flights for the year.
Airlines say they must be careful not to fly with more seats than they can fill at a time when fuel costs are high and fretful travelers could postpone trips because of a still struggling economy.
“We’ve seen very strong bookings,” says Eric Torbenson, a Delta spokesman. Delta is cutting back on its flights, he says, as a way of being “cautious about fuel prices.”
Matthew Jacob, senior airline analyst for ITG Investment Research, says passengers have fewer options after several airlines have merged in the last three years.
The carriers realize that reducing seats lets them boost fares along with their bottom lines, Jacob says.
“Lower supply means higher prices,” he says, noting that planes on average have been flying 80% to 90% full. “Paying more to fly on fuller planes is going to be the norm for at least the next couple of years,” Jacob says. “I think the days of lying across a row of three empty seats on a transcontinental flight are really behind us.”
Airline ticket prices have been on the rise. Fares increased 1.1% in August, the biggest jump since March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the 12 months ending in August, fares rose 9.5% over the same 12 months before.
“Strong passenger demand seems to be defying the daily economic headlines,” says Rick Seaney of FareCompare.com. “Couple that with fewer seats for the rest of the year and you have a recipe for higher ticket prices.”
-Each and every resort employee must undergo 120 hours of training each and every year
-We do not have bartenders, we have “showtenders”
-When we open a “specialty” restaurant such as a Thai restaurant we actually bring in a chef from Thailand to stay and work on our property, did you know we have over 155 restaurants in our chain
-Our butlers have a maximum of 4-6 suites that they tend to other hotels that offer butler service have their butlers tending to over 20 suites at a time
-Beaches Turks and Caicos has been given a 6 star rating
-We host over 13,000 destination weddings a year
-All of our resorts are Green Globe Certified