THE STARS WERE SHINING BRIGHTLY AT BEACHES TURKS & CAICOS ITALIAN VILLAGE WEEKEND CELEBRATION
~Celebrity Guests and Six Star Diamond Awards Highlight Official Grand Opening of New Italian Village and Expanded Pirate's Island Waterpark at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa~
Provinciales, Turks & Caicos May 18, 2009 -- The all-new Italian Village and enhanced Pirate's Island Waterpark at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa made its official debut this weekend. Dream Makers Vacation Services was one of the few travel agencies in the United States to be invited to this exclusive event. Dream Makers Vacation Services is one of the top Sandals/Beaches/Royal Plantation agencies in the US and we pride ourselves with our successful partnership with Sandals. The four-day, star-studded celebration which kicked off on Thursday, May 14 with a "Welcome to Beaches" Barefoot Beach Party, complete with island rhythms, succulent cuisine and special performances by the Sesame Street gang. On Friday, guests were whisked away on Beaches Resorts' custom catamaran, The Kitty Katt, returning just in time for Xbox 360® gaming competitions, a live performance from the real Gordon & Elmo, straight from Sesame Street, and a high-energy Wete Fête Pirate Pool Party, featuring performances by The Electric Company, teen pop sensation, The Clique Girlz and legendary hip hop artist, DMC (of Run DMC).
It's a Perfect Day at Beaches with the Clique Girlz
The Clique Girlz perform the new Beaches Resorts theme song 'Perfect Day' at the Wet Fête Pirate Pool Party, part of the weekend long celebration.
Walk This Way, Talk This Way
Darryl McDaniels, founding member of the legendary hip hop group Run-DMC and the Scratch DJ Academy signs autographs for fans at Trench Town. Both Scratch DJ Academy and Trench Town form part of Beaches Resorts' exclusive new teen and tween programming.
Wete Fête Pirate Pool Party
Wayne Turner getting his feet wet with Ron Jon at the surf competition. Guests can surf the waves at the new surf simulator in the new waterpark. If you aren't up to surfing, you can use the wave board.
Clique Girlz Video Shoot
The Clique Girlz film thier new video on location at Beaches Turks & Caicos. Guests got an opportunity to experience a real video shoot. Some lucky guests got to participate and actually be in the video.
Heads of Caribbean State Gather to Celebrate Opening and the Power of Tourism
Governor of the Turks & Caicos Islands, His Excellency Gordon Weatherell, Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands, The Hon. Galmo "Gilly" Williams and Prime Minister of Jamaica, The. Hon. Bruce Golding, gather with other Caribbean leaders in celebrating the opening of the Italian Village.
The Largest Pool in the Caribbean Becomes Spectacular Setting
Water theatrics took center stage, as the Caribbean's largest pool became the setting for spectacular theater including synchronized swimmers, acrobatics, and dramatic lighting.
The grand opening weekend culminated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, May 16 during which Beaches Resorts founder and chairman, Gordon "Butch" Stewart, and CEO, Adam Stewart, were presented with not one, but two Six Star Diamond Awards by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS). Joseph D. Cinque, president and CEO of the AAHS presented the Chairman and CEO with the Six Star Diamond Award for overall excellence in hospitality for the new Italian Village , along with the Green Star Diamond Award to the Beaches Resorts brand for forward thinking in environmental practices.
"Exceeding expectations is the hallmark of this company [Beaches Resorts], and tonight we can all agree that with the unveiling of the Italian Village , Butch Stewart along with his son, Adam Stewart and capable team, has gone widely beyond our expectations," Cinque said. "We have worked with Sandals Resorts International for some time and the utter dedication to excellence in every phase of the hospitality industry is evident in everything it executes. Beaches Turks & Caicos is beyond anything that we've seen before and the only way we know to recognize that kind of singular superiority is to 'break open the vault' and reach for the Six Star."
The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is renowned worldwide for awarding excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector. Each year the AAHS bestows its coveted International Star Diamond Award exclusively on Five - and now Six - Star establishments that are deemed to be of pinnacle quality. A delighted Butch Stewart accepted the awards thanking his team, his partners and, most importantly, his guests, who he said, "made this evening and celebration in the Beaches family possible."
Following the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, a spectacular Masquerade Carnavale Party, complete with a laser light show, an opera singer, synchronized swimmers, water-sphere dancers, acrobatic acts and more, offered guests one more magical night to enjoy the best of Italy in the Caribbean.
The Stewarts Mingling with Celebrities, Guests, and Travel Agents
Butch and Adam were around the entire weekend mingling and talking with celebrities, guests and travel agents. They visit the resorts quite often, so when you visit a Sandals or Beaches, keep an eye out for them.
Butch Stewart with Amy, Ardan, and Michael McHugh
Adam Stewart with Michael McHugh
A Weekend of Celebration and Celebrities That Did Not Disappoint
Dream Makers Vacation Services Owners, Amy & Michael McHugh, mix and mingle with Hollywood 's hottest stars. Celebrities in attendance included Debi Mazar, Maria Menounos, Cheryl Hines, Bethenny Frankel, Robert Buckley, Peter Facinelli, Jennie Garth, Lou Ferrigno, Joey Fatone, DMC, and many more!
Debi Mazar with Amy & Michael McHugh
Jennie Garth with Amy McHugh
Robert Buckley & Ashley with Amy & Michael McHugh
Lou Ferrigno with
Michael and Ardan McHugh
DMC with Michael McHugh and Dave Harker
Joey Fatone with Amy & Michael McHugh
The Clique Girlz with Madison, Karlin, and Ardan McHugh
Elmo Giving Madison Her Birthday Gift
Remembering that the Guest Makes it All Possible
Reminding the audience that "our guests make all of this possible," Chairman Stewart encouraged guests to enjoy the beautiful food, spectacular entertainment of the Saturday evening gala.
The Resort Built Expressly for Families
"Many resorts have been built that accept families, this resort was designed and built expressly for families," Adam Stewart, CEO of Beaches Resorts said. "If it's true that God is in the details, then we are truly blessed at Beaches Turks & Caicos; every detail at this resort, from our kid-sized furniture in the reception lobby to the Xbox 360® consoles in the kids' rooms, has been carefully considered and deliberate. Nothing has been left to chance."
Topping $125 million, the new Italian Village at Beaches Turks & Caicos is the company's largest expansion to date, featuring 162 family suites with separate kids' rooms. Guests may also request one of the Italian Village 's 18 "Imperial" rooms, which expand the family suite to include separate living room and dining room areas. All Imperial suites feature Beaches Resorts' exclusive Butler Service.
The expansion also features a private check-in area; five additional gourmet restaurants, bringing the resort's total to 16 eateries; a sprawling retail mecca; and brand new amenities geared towards teens including teen-hangout Trenchtown, complete with pool, air hockey and foosball tables, an aqua-themed nightclub, Liquid, DJ-training sessions at Scratch DJ Academy and tailored spa treatments at the exclusive Red Lane® Spa. A newly renovated Pirate's Island Waterpark - ten times its original size - features a surf simulator, lazy river and seven new waterslides.
The Best Family Travel Lesson: Good, Old-Fashioned Value
Chairman and founder Gordon "Butch" Stewart told the audience gathered that he understood the Italian Village was opening in the midst of an "extraordinary time in our industry" and said during these economic times, "the challenge to distinguish oneself in the marketplace and to demonstrate old-fashioned value has never been more important."
"It's not about price, it's about exceeding expectations," Stewart said. "It's the value our terrific partners bring to the Beaches Resorts' experience from Sesame Street to Xbox 360® and from Beringer® to Crayola®; it's about the choice and quality our customers find at Beaches. We believe we're offering families the most comprehensive vacation, not only in the Caribbean , but in the world. We believe that more than ever, families want to get away. In times like these, families need a vacation and, in fact, we get away to get together. Time is what we value. For families, it's the most important thing there is and with all that's at stake, it's important for families to choose the brand they know they can trust to make their time together, their family vacation, unforgettable."
Whether you're planning a destination wedding, honeymoon, romantic getaway or a family vacation at Beaches Resorts, Dream Makers Vacation Services has all the latest information on developments and services at Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, Royal Plantation Collection or Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts.Dream Makers Vacation Services, specializes in Caribbean vacations, Honeymoons and Destination Weddings. Please visit www.DreamMakersVaca.com or call 1-888-449-3563 or email us at dreams@DreamMakersVaca.com to find out more about Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
Beaches Resorts:
When it comes to family vacations, no other resort company in the world offers more than Beaches Resorts. With four spectacular locations on the most beautiful beaches in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, Beaches Resorts is the ultimate family getaway and the most comprehensive vacation available in the Caribbean including gourmet meals; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations; and even gratuities. Fun for the whole family means outrageous waterparks; Xbox 360® Game Garages; Crayola Art Camps; and exclusive Kids Camps with a full schedule of age-appropriate activities as well as childcare provided by expertly trained Certified Nannies. As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches Resorts offers another exclusive for families, the Beaches Resorts Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street, where kids can spend their vacation with their favorite friends from the Sesame Street gang with daily activities and weekly stage shows. Brand new teen and tween programming will keep coming-of-age guests on their toes, whether dancing the night away at aqua-themed nightclub, Liquid; learning how to become a DJ at the Scratch DJ Academy; lounging and mingling with new friends at Trench Town; or enjoying a tailored spa treatment at Beaches Resorts' exclusive Red Lane® Spa. With additional amenities including Butler Service; Red Lane® Spas, featuring services and treatments inspired by the region; WeddingMoons® and FamilyMoons® packages to make your wedding day just perfect; Beaches Resorts truly offers something for every member of the family.
Beaches Resorts is part of the Sandals' family, the Caribbean's largest operator of luxury included resorts, and has been voted the World's Best Family All-Inclusive Resort for 11 years in a row.
Sandals Resorts:
Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean. Currently, there are 12 Luxury Included® Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and The Bahamas. Each offers stunning beachfront locations; a choice of á la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California's legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivaled watersports including the Caribbean's largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Preston Bailey Signature WeddingMoons® and signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region. In July 2007, the five-star, all suite Mediterranean Village debuted at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, offering two people in love the ultimate romantic getaway.
Sandals Resorts has set the industry standard for the Luxury Included® vacation and has been voted the Caribbean's Leading Hotel Brand at the World Travel Awards for 15 years in a row, and World's Leading All-Inclusive Company for 13 years in a row.
