Diamond Award – Team Member of the Year. L-r Sandals Executive Assistant Manager Nico Bersma, Regional Managing Director Winston Anderson, Chief Engineer Jermaine Nicholson, Assistant Chief Engineer Camecia Walters, Diamond Team Member awardee Deon Blair, Hotel Manager Diahann Hibbert-Bacchus, General Manager David Latchimy, Hotel Manager Leighton Josephs.
SANDALS GRANDE ANTIGUA CELEBRATES A YEAR OF HOSPITALITY EXCELLENCE AT ANNUAL PRESTIGE AWARDS
Resort Honors Top Performers For 2025 Under the Theme “Made of the Caribbean: Hospitality Redefined”
Sandals Grande Antigua Resort and Spa marked another milestone year of exceptional service and team development at its annual Prestige Awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding team members who exemplified excellence throughout 2025.
Held under the inspiring theme “Made of the Caribbean: Hospitality Redefined,” the evening paid tribute to the driving force behind the brand’s success—its people. General Manager David Latchimy addressed attendees, reflecting on a year defined by growth, innovation and an unwavering commitment to Caribbean hospitality.
“Our 2025 achievements are a direct reflection of the passion, pride and professionalism our team brings to work every single day,” said Latchimy. “This year, we doubled down on our commitment to team members’ development because when we empower our people, we elevate every guest experience. They are truly ‘Made of the Caribbean,’ and they are redefining what world-class hospitality means.”
With a strong focus on team member development in 2025, he recognized managers who participated in cross-regional resort exposure and training opportunities, including Scotty Nelson, executive housekeeper; Carlene Spencer, learning and development manager; Devon Charles and Dale Thomas, restaurant managers; Chrystel Baker, Red Lane Spa manager; Leon Norville, public relations manager; and Leon Greenland, assistant chief engineer.
Reflecting on the impact of the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) in 2025, Latchimy highlighted the achievement of more than 10 supervisors and managers who graduated from the Diploma in Hospitality Leadership programme, a partnership with Accelerating Leaders and Florida International University.
He also celebrated the success of SCU scholarship recipients Ariel Joseph, engineering and maintenance supervisor, who is currently enrolled at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, and Leon Norville, public relations manager, who is currently pursuing studies at MIU City University of Miami.
“These are not just achievements; they are investments in the future of our brand,” Latchimy said.
The resort also enjoyed an award-winning year in 2025, with several team members earning national and regional recognition. Butler Karen Grenado-Wong, the 2024 Diamond Team Member of the Year, captured the National WOW Factor Award for Customer Service Excellence in 2025.
Learning and Development Manager Carlene Spencer secured two National Women of Wadadli Awards in the Tourism and Education categories and was also named the Posh Caribbean Icon Award winner in the Education Innovator category.
Front Office Agent Masadie Issac and Chef Jerri-Ann Baltimore were honoured with National Youth Awards from the Department of Youth Affairs in the Tourism and Hospitality category, while the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association recognized Loyalty and Travel Consultant Sandy Ramsaran with the 2025 Customer Service Award and Public Relations Manager Leon Norville as Young Hotelier of the Year at the National Tourism Awards.
The evening’s keynote charge to attendees was delivered by seasoned hospitality and communications professional Raynel Carroll, who encouraged team members to continue placing service above self while elevating both guest experiences and Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism product.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere were performances by the Elite Dancers, the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra, recording artiste Asher Otto and the band Itchy Feet.
Diamond Team Member of the Year winner Deon Blair said he was humbled by the award and encouraged fellow team members to lead by example, embrace continuous improvement and support one another in the pursuit of excellence. Ashel Samuel, runner-up in the Platinum Team Member of the Year category, urged colleagues to remain passionate, committed to growth and proud to represent Caribbean hospitality at its best.
Among those attending the awards ceremony were Winston Anderson, regional managing director for the Eastern Caribbean; Sunil Ramdeen, regional public relations manager; and Regional Financial Controller Antonia Ferdinand-Amedee.
The Prestige Awards continue Sandals’ longstanding tradition of fostering a culture where team members thrive, innovate and deliver the authentic Luxury Included® Caribbean experience guests have come to expect.
2025 Prestige Award Winners
• Diamond Award – Team Member of the Year: Deon Blair, Engineering and Maintenance
• Platinum Award – Runner-Up Team Member of the Year: Ashel Samuel, Butler Elite Services
• Founder’s Circle Award: Sylvia Joseph, Food and Beverage
• A-Team – Department of the Year: Red Lane Spa
• MVP – Manager of the Year: Sherlann Barrow, Entertainment
• Pacesetter – General Manager’s Award: Adam Powell, Entertainment
• Heart of the House – Hotel Manager’s Award: Earl Kitt, Engineering and Maintenance
• All Rounder – Supervisor of the Year: Cassandra Matthias, Housekeeping
• Island Routes Ambassador: Treshawna Fergenson, Island Routes
• People’s Choice: Juleen Rose, Kitchen
• Sandals Foundation Sentinel: Natalee Henry, Housekeeping
• Legendary – Most Guest Mentioned: Kyannah Joy Corneilous, Food and Beverage
• Money Maker of the Year Award: Maura Henry, Resort Shop
• Standing Ovation Award: Kelman Bristol, Stores
• Sandals Earth Guardian Award: Kim Casey, Engineering and Maintenance
• Circle of Joy Smile Award: Omega Jeffery, EPIX
• Mover and Shaker Most Improved Award: Priscella George, Cost Control
2025 Platinum Award – Runner-Up Team Member of the Year. L-r Regional
Public Relations Manager Sunil Ramdeen, Hotel Managers Leighton Josephs and Diahann
Hibbert-Bacchus, Regional Managing Director Winston Anderson, Platinum Team Member
awardee Ashell Samuel, General Manager David Latchimy. 
2025 A-Team – Department of the Year, Red Lane Spa L-r Hotel Manager
Leighton Josephs, Regional Managing Director Winston Anderson, Red Lane Spa team
members, (middle with plaque) Red Lane Spa Manager Chrystel Baker, Red Lane Spa team
members, Hotel Manager Diahann Hibbert-Bacchus,General Manager David Latchimy. 
2025 MVP – Manager of the Year L-r Entertainment Manager Sherlann Barrow,
General Manager David Latchimy. 
2025 People’s Choice Award L-r Human Resource Manager Donna Jean
Samuel, Senior Sous Chef Juleen Rose, Assistant Human Resource Manager Carol Pennyfeather. 
2025 Pacesetter – General Manager’s Award L-r Entertainment Supervisor
Adam Powell, General Manager David Latchimy. 
2025 Standing Ovation Award L-r Store Porter Kelman Bristol, Financial
Controller Aqualia Alexander. 
2025 Sandals Earth Guardian Award L-r Environment, Health and Safety
Manager Jhavline Patrick, A/C Technician Kim Casey. 
2025 Founder’s Circle Award L-r Restaurant Server Sylvia Joseph, Assistant
Executive Housekeeper Marcia Marshall. 
2025 Sandals Foundation Sentinel Award L-r Room Attendant Natalee Henry,
Public Relations Manager Leon Norville. 
Guest Speaker – Hospitality and Communications professional Raynel Carroll. 
2025 Circle of Joy Smile Award L-r Assistant Chief Engineer Camecia Walters,
Photographer Omega Jeffery, Loyalty and Travel Manager Andy Anthony. 
2025 Legendary (Most Guest Mentioned) Team Member Award L-r Bar
Supervisor Kyannah Joy Cornelius, Sandals Returning Guests Debbie and Mark Williams.