MONTEGO BAY, St James – “Unbelievable.” That’s the word Bill and Leslie Lacombe say best captures what it feels like to hit the memorable milestone of spending 1,000 nights at Sandals Resorts across the Caribbean.

This is only the third time in the hotel chain’s 41-year history that the incredible feat has been achieved by guests.

“If you had told me in the in the 90s when I started doing Sandals that I would ever meet this many nights I would have said you’re crazy,” Leslie said with a laugh.

Her husband Bill, the more reserved of the two, let her do most of the talking as he nodded in agreement, a huge grin on his face.

The American couple is among loyal Sandals clients who have the distinction of being named ambassador guests. They arrived at the flagship Sandals Montego Bay on April 11 and were feted as part of Sandals Resorts International’s (SRI) annual reunion week.

The Philadelphia residents credit their long-standing love affair with Sandals to, among other things, the warmth of Sandals founder, the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, who they met on multiple occasions.

“We used to always call him Uncle Butchy or the Chairman. He had a dream and a goal. He wasn’t afraid to take a chance, and he made it wonderful for all of us,” Leslie explained.

Sandals Reunion Week ran from April 10 to 14, and a lot of special activities were planned for Bill and Leslie. This included being met plane side and escorted to the resort via luxury transfer with Sandals Montego Bay General Manager Christopher Elliott as their personal chauffeur; a welcome to the resort by the entire management team, select staff, along with a guard of honour and fanfare; an award presentation at the Sandals Select Dinner; as well as a celebratory breakfast hosted by general managers of the resorts the Lacombes have often visited. The Lacombes also enjoyed a few minutes of one-on-one time with Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.