In a momentous gathering on Monday evening, January 15th, The Sands at Grace Bay hosted 300 plus distinguished guests for a gala celebration commemorating its 25th Anniversary in operation.
The event paid tribute to the unwavering dedication of the resort’s exceptional staff and esteemed supporters and served as the official unveiling of the resort’s spectacular renovations including a completely reimagined lobby and resort-wide refresh.
Dr. Stan Hartling, the visionary CEO of Hartling Group, expressed his enthusiasm by stating quote, “We were delighted to gather and inaugurate a year-long celebration marking the 25th Anniversary of The Sands at Grace Bay. This gala allowed us to extend our gratitude to our award-winning staff, as well as the champions and supporters who have been integral to our success over the past quarter-century. As we near completion of a major renovation to commemorate The Sands’ Silver Anniversary, this hidden gem and historical icon shines even brighter after 25 years of dedicated service to TCI.” End quote
The Sands, The Palms, and The Shore Club collectively make the Hartling Group, stand as a testament to the group’s unwavering commitment to the tourism industry of the Turks and Caicos Islands and provide jobs to more than 800 people.
As part of Monday night’s grand scale festivities… An awards ceremony was held honoring employees from the Resort and Hemingway’s Restaurant with long service recognition for 20 and 25 years of service as well as 2023 Year-End award recipients.
25 Years of Service – The Sands at Grace Bay – Duval Phedre and Pauline Theodore
25 Years of Service – Hemingway’s Restaurant – Terry Drummey
20 Years of Service – The Sands at Grace Bay
Anouze Jean-Williams, Pierre Beswick, Barbara Rigby, Delroy Mcintosh, Dyneville Romeus, Elvil Cheristin, Kerline Joseph, Joan Hagan, Laurence Bastien, Patrice Parker, Rolanda Robinson, Ronald Rosemary
20 Years of Service – Hemingway’s Restaurant
Aracelys Gomez, Carene Elvariste, Clara Ramos, Gertrude Jean Antione, Jean Frandy, Joseph Dorcely
Magalie Charles, Marie Gertrude, Paula Brooks, Reasa Louis, Sandra Vazquez, Tracy Smith, Wesley Joseph, Yanely Hall
The Sands at Grace Bay 2023 Award Winners
Employee of the Year – front of the house: Gary Philoxene, Pool & Beach Attendant
Employee of the Year – heart of the house: Elvil Cheristin, Houseman Specialist
Supervisor of the Year – Annecie Augustine, Housekeeping Supervisor
Manager of the Year – Mandy Cameron, Reservations Sales Manager
Hemingway’s Restaurant 2023 Awards Winners
Employee of the Year – front of the house: Roselaure Jean, Server
Employee of the Year – heart of the house: Joseph Dorcely, Steward
Manager of the Year – Carolyn Robinson, General Manager of Hemingway’s
Special recognition was also dedicated to the owners for their significant investment in the 25th-anniversary resort renovations, as well as special recognition to original owners since The Sands’ opening: Miles Hamm and Linda Harper.
The Sands at Grace Bay is situated on the world-renowned 12-mile crescent of powdery white sand known as Grace Bay Beach in Turks & Caicos. The oceanfront resort continues to gain acclaim as showcased by the many awards it receives, most recently being voted #1 Caribbean Resort in the 2024 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, an acclaim the resort also earned in 2023. The resort once again garnered the TripAdvisor “Travelers’ Choice Award” for 2023, an honor it has carried for eleven years now.
Additional outstanding accolades include being named one of the 2023 “Best Hotels in the Turks and Caicos” by U.S. News & World Report, garnering the Hotels.com “Loved By Guests Award,” and being named a Family Vacation Critic “2021 Family Favorite Hotel” as well as “Best Family Resort” in The Caribbean Journal Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2019.
