IT is truly amazing how one’s perspective can change when a particular experience did not match perceptions prior to that. In most cases, we have high hopes and are bitterly disappointed, however, in this case it was the reverse. Sandals Negril Beach Resort and Spa took me by surprise, so much so that I had to share it with the world.

Prior to my six-day stay at the highly rated resort, I hardly had any impressions of it, by virtue of the fact that I had never envisioned myself going there, for obvious reasons. Moreover, I am always of the notion that the tourists are usually given priority treatment and preference at these resorts. Those, however, were not reasons enough to suppress my excitement and anxiety.

Getting there was quite a journey, so though waiting patiently, I burned with anxiety to see what the first few moments would have been like. After being greeted politely by the bellman, I did indeed feel welcomed but that was not enough to erase the thoughts in the back of my head.

The next step was checking in at the front desk. A warm smile and infectious personality painted the lobby, as the receptionist greeted me and asked for the relevant information needed to complete the check-in process. It was at that point that it all began to feel surreal. It was more than just ‘being polite because she had to,’ I saw and felt a genuine passion in the way she smiled and spoke to me. The entire process was quite speedy and she sent me off to dinner.

Walking into the buffet-style dinner at the Bayside Restaurant, quite unsuspecting and a bit intimidated by the overwhelming number of tourists dining, I stood in astonishment for a while as the entertainers performed, before i was greeted by a server shortly after. Again, I felt the same warmth that I experienced in the lobby. Then and there I thought to myself that this is something I should get accustomed to throughout my stay. The nature of the assistance from the server was unbelievable. It was as if she was dealing with a child in kindergarten and I relished every second. I did have a few questions about the variety of food options I had to choose from and every one was answered accurately. In all honesty, I felt like royalty. A great start for what was to be an amazing stay, I observed the way I was asked if I wanted water or drinks by the waitress, and responded accordingly.

Overwhelmingly impressed by the food and entertainment and the first impression service, I was now anxious to get to my room. I returned to the lobby shortly after eating, only to realise my luggage was already on a trolley ready to be taken to my room. I smiled as I collected my room key from the receptionist. I was off to my room and though it was quite a walk from the lobby, I was distracted by the greetings from employees of the hotel on my way there — I was not passed without being greeted. I began to revel in the resort’s atmosphere and the energy from the staff, but not for too long, as the bellman reached my room. My luggage was removed from the trolley and he showed me how to manoeuvre the key. After one attempt I opened the door and a heart-warming handclap from the bellman followed. I laughed on my way in and he did not hesitate to take me through the basics of the room, indicating the mini bar I had, which was stocked with alcoholic beverages, fruit juices and sodas, the mind-blowing bathroom, and the amazing bed, all of which impressed me equally. I felt as if I was in a different world, and I at this point was really eager to see what the rest of the resort entailed.

The following morning was even better than my first night at the hotel. I felt a sense of belonging among the great number of tourists. Just being in an environment where persons were being genuinely polite and nice was enough to satisfy my appetite, not even the food could do what the warmth of the staff did for me, as mouth-watering and delectable as it was. I felt at home. I felt comfort in making it known I’m Jamaican and I never hesitated at once to speak patois. It was a good feeling knowing I could relate to the staff and was able to make them laugh. It now became a part of my agenda to make as many employees as possible laugh or smile. That came from the energy they gave me, that is how contagious it was. If I were in a position to give each member of staff an award I certainly would have, just because of how much my expectations were surpassed. It felt like a great culture shock something that I had been missing. I started to wonder if it was really just being in Negril or actually staying at Sandals that gave me this inexplicable feeling of happiness and joy. Deep down I knew it was Sandals, because I’ve never had any one experience where so many persons were so warm and accommodating in the same setting, at once.

It all felt extremely surreal and I make no exaggerations or reservations. I met the executive chef Alex by chance one day at breakfast and had to capture a moment with him, just by virtue of him being such a character. The operators at the aqua centre were so easy to deal with, and they always encouraged a stimulating conversation, which I must add is probably the signature of Sandals Negril, because this was the case with all members of staff. It went beyond “hi man, how are you doing?” I was delighted to meet new employees each day, and visit the ones I had already met. My days were never complete if I didn’t visit at least four of whom I had met before. The receptionist piqued my sense of humour and they loved it, the servers admitted how much they looked forward to seeing me each day, and just in case I skipped breakfast, they noticed and would ask me what happened whenever they saw me again.

The treatment was certainly ‘A’ class and what I found was that I returned that accordingly. Now that is what I mean when I talk about the infectious and contagious warmth which blanketed the entire resort. What also stood out to me is how I made the employees feel. I gave them what they gave me in return, the same level of politeness, warm smiles, jokes. I didn’t make them feel as if they were mere servers, I made them identify with me and made it seem as if I’m the employee and they’re the guests, because they truly deserved it and more. I offered to take pictures with them, I playfully made attempts to assist them as they (servers) carried the trays containing food to whatever location, I helped the bellman push the trolley with my suitcase as I was about to check out. I just made them feel a part of what I was experiencing. Those conversations with the craft vendors, their wisdom was astounding and I sat for at least an hour just listening to them. They too could identify with me because I used patois so it was known that I was Jamaican.

Most employees I dealt with did not feel the need to be entirely polished when speaking or dealing with me, and I appreciated that, because I felt a special connection that tourists could only look on and feed off. While checking out, the water sports co-ordinators asked me when do I return. That to me was truly a defining moment because not only did I know I was going to miss them all, I knew they were going to miss me too. I remember one of the security guards seeing the armbands from the dream weekend parties on my hand and said, “I waa be like you when mi grow up.” I laughed to myself and intriguingly asked him why. Then he mentioned the fact that I’m able to attend all those parties. I made no hesitation to tell him that I’m working with the media that’s why I’m here, and this is the result of me believing in my dream. The conversation somehow reached a point where he began telling me his ambitions and me telling him to believe in himself. That to me was a reminder of how much I have been blessed.

Sandals was more than an unforgettable experience. It also served as a profound lesson. It taught me that I should always respect people no matter who they are, reminded me that I should always leave a mark wherever I go, but, most importantly, it taught me that no matter how blessed I am or how fortunate I become, I should always treat people equally, not because I have to, but because I should always treat people how I wish to be treated. After all it was more than just a resort, to me it became a humbling place for a Jamaican to put things into perspective and live in love. It is a place of lessons and without a doubt I could not have left without taking home a piece of Sandals with me; I did not think twice to get myself souvenirs.

Nicholas Martin is a final year journalism student at the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication, University of the West Undies, and Jamaica Observer writer.