Negril, Westmoreland — It was a time trek through the 80s, an ode to the decade the luxury-included brand was founded, and some 4,000 returning guests had a blast on their journey through Sandals Resorts’ Reunion Week 2022, from April 18-22.

With many guests rejoining the week-long celebrations for the first time since the novel coronavirus pandemic hit, the 16 combined resorts across the Caribbean recorded a 300 per cent increase in returning guests compared to the 2021.

Created by Sandals Resorts International to honour its repeat clients and to thank them for their commitment to the brand and its destinations over the years, Sandals Select Guest Reunion Week remains one of the most popular events of its kind on the Sandals calendar.

Events throughout the week had guests completely immersed in a cultural melting pot reflective of the 80s influence on fashion, music, dance, film, and food.

At Sandals Negril repeat clients ‘tattied’, did the ‘running man’ and ‘disco slid’ all the way through the night during the 80s Glow in the Dark Disco Silent Headphone Party.

Last Tuesday was a whole treat for fashion lovers who witnessed a staff fashion show reminiscent of the decade of big hair, shoulder pads, dramatic accessories, acid wash jeans and eye-straining fabric, colours and pattern.

The 40th anniversary celebratory dinner, dubbed ‘Ole Story Time’, paid homage to the Jamaican culture with bandana themed outfits, maypole influenced décor and a Jamaican dance showcase executed masterfully by the Evolution Dance Group.

Of course, the week would not have been near complete without off-property tours to historic locations such as Rhodes Hall Plantation in Hanover and witnessing the always highly anticipated Managers’ Talent Show.

According to Sandals Negril guests Timothy and Anita Hardesty, the hotel is home for them, “we come every year to Sandals. This is actually our eighth trip and it is like coming to see our other family. We love coming on Reunion Week, we find that we get to meet a lot of the same people year after year and that makes it much more fun.

“This year we chose Sandals Negril and there are some great people working here. Sandals is just not your everyday resort, it is full of high quality and attention to specific details, I would invite everyone to try,” the couple shared.

Reunion Week in the Montego Bay region had more than 400 guests in attendance. And what a ball they had, putting on their dancing shoes and grooving to the sights and sounds of the 80s era.

Both the flagship resort Sandals Montego Bay and neighbouring Sandals Royal Caribbean hosted sizzling opening ceremonies featuring marching bands and Glow in The Dark costume parties with guests dressed in themed costumes living it up and having a grand time.

Maurice and Erica Ahearn, multi-repeat guests at Sandals Montego Bay, were effusive in their praise for the week of activities.

“We have been having an amazing time and Reunion Week just keeps getting better and better,” noted Maurice. The couple said they particularly enjoyed the theme and looked forward to many more such events.

The celebration at South Coast kicked off with 274 returning guests, and staff members joining a parade led by the Eagle Star Band and later a mixology competition with teams comprising of managers and guests.

The remaining days saw to a fashion show, Jamaican-themed gala dinner where guests experienced Jamaican culture in a pure concentrated form and an off-property picnic excursion at the Appleton Rum Estate.

The Ocho Rios region had a full gamut of activities to celebrate Reunion Week 2022. From the traditional beach parties, catamaran cruises mixed with a kite show, to the exploration of the Konoko Falls, guests at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort and Sandals Royal Plantation were in for a treat.

“We will always ensure that our guests are experiencing a great time; hence we brought them back to the excitement of the 1980s with fashion, food and flair. From the party vibes at the Returning Guests’ dinner to a variety of beach party activities, our guests were kept busy in reflecting on the early years,” said Gayonne Campbell, loyalty and travel manager at Sandals Ochi.

Sandals continues to boast an impressive more than 40 per cent repeat client base comprising of members of the company’s Sandals Select Rewards Club Programme that offers membership savings and exclusive recognition gifts and benefits to include free vacations for frequent Sandals visitors.