16 April 2019
(Mr Nickless (centre) is joined by Sandals Resorts CEO, Gebhard Rainer (left of centre), Deputy Chairman, Adam Stewart (right of centre) and General Managers from 16 resorts at Sandals Royal Caribbean resort & Private Island, Jamaica)
UK resident Terry Nickless has been named as Sandals Resorts’ longest serving returning guest after racking up a total of 1,000 nights at Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
The former stonemason from Woking, Surrey first visited Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island in 1987 with his late wife, Anne, and after falling in love with the country and its friendly inhabitants, the couple returned to the resort at least once every year ever since - even staying in the exact same room. Even though Anne passed away several years ago, Terry still makes the solo journey to Jamaica every year to spend time fishing with a local man he calls his friend after 32 years.
Nickless, 84, who arrived at Sandals Royal Caribbean on Tuesday 9th April for his latest holiday, was treated to a true VIP arrival after touching down at Montego Bay airport - being fast-tracked through security to a waiting private luxury BMW transfer. Sandals Resorts International’s Deputy Chairman and son of founder Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Adam Stewart, greeted him upon arrival, alongside other senior team members including Chief Executive Officer, Gebhard Rainer. Mr. Nickless was also offered to upgrade into the brand’s most expensive rooms - the renowned Maldivian-style Over-the-Water Bungalows, which start at £1,000 per night and are favoured by an elite selection of footballers and other celebrities.
Nickless reaches his 1,000th night stay the week of April 22nd, a monumental achievement as he is the first member of the Sandals Select Guest programme to reach this level. During his current trip to Jamaica, Mr. Nickless will be honoured with a special award, gifts, and other surprises at the Sandals Select Guest Reunion Week Gala Dinner, which will be held at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island on Tuesday 23rd April. Sandals Reunion Week is the Caribbean’s only annual event by an all-inclusive resort that celebrates returning guests and gives them the chance to catch up with friends they have made over the years.
Sandals Resorts International’s Deputy Chairman, Adam Stewart, commented: “Terry is like family to us. Everyone at the resort knows his name and it’s always a pleasure to see him back here. It’s only right that we celebrate Terry’s unwavering loyalty to Sandals and recognise his incredible achievement during his stay with us.”
The Sandals Select Guest programme was founded in 1981 to reward returning customers and now has more than 800,000 members worldwide. The programme was revamped in 2017 to make it easier for members to earn more benefits with Sandals and Beaches Resorts, including free stays.
For more information about Sandals Resorts and the Sandals Select Guests programme visit www.sellingsandals.co.uk.
