Jamaica, Stronger Than the Storm
A First-Hand Story of Resilience, Sandals, and the Island I Love
There are destinations you admire — and then there are places that change you.
Jamaica is the latter for me.
My love for this island and my unwavering trust in the Sandals brand were forged not only in moments of sunshine and celebration, but during one of the most challenging chapters in Jamaica’s history — and in the extraordinary recovery that followed.
I was in Jamaica during Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025, the worst hurricane in Jamaican history. I returned six weeks later, on December 3rd, 2025, to a country restored, united, and ready to welcome the world back.
What happened in between is the story that matters.
Being There When Jamaica Faced Its Greatest Test
When Hurricane Melissa made landfall on October 28, 2025, I was on property at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, alongside fellow travel advisor Melanie Kooistra, and my aunt and uncle, Linda and Chester Beerling.
As the storm intensified, normal travel expectations disappeared. Flights were cancelled. Plans unraveled. Guests searched for reassurance.
What I witnessed instead was calm, decisive leadership.
At Sandals Ochi, hurricane preparedness moved into action immediately. Daily safety briefings were held — clear, honest, and reassuring. Guests were informed repeatedly. Questions were welcomed. Updates were constant. Fear was replaced with facts and confidence.
I watched the resort physically transform:
- Windows boarded
- Structures reinforced
- Outdoor furnishings secured or submerged
- Central areas prepared to shelter every guest
There was no panic.
Only precision.
What Real Safety Looks Like
When the storm arrived, it came with force. I heard winds howl. I heard trees break. I saw water enter spaces — and then watched it be cleaned, dried, and restored almost immediately. Broken glass was handled quickly and confidently.
At no point did I feel unsafe.
That level of security doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because safety is built into the DNA of Sandals.
Staff remained on site by choice — many staying away from their own families to ensure guests were protected and cared for. Leadership stayed present. Information flowed continuously. Guests were never left wondering what would happen next.
Under the guidance of Carol Burke, General Manager of Sandals Ochi, and her exceptional team, the resort operated with compassion, clarity, and strength.
This is what luxury looks like when the skies turn dark. This is family.
Leadership That Shows Up
After the storm passed and the true scope of the damage became visible, a moment unfolded that forever shaped how I view Sandals — not just as a brand, but as a family and a legacy.
Adam Stewart arrived at Sandals Ochi.
Adam Stewart is the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, and the son of the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart — the visionary founder who built Sandals on passion, people-first leadership, and an unwavering love for Jamaica.
Adam didn’t send a message.
He didn’t delegate concern.
He showed up.
He walked the property.
He checked on guests.
He checked on staff.
He listened.
He cared.
In those moments, it was clear that Adam wasn’t just fulfilling a title — he was carrying forward his father’s legacy in the most meaningful way possible. Leading with empathy. Standing shoulder to shoulder with his team. Showing up not for optics, but because it mattered.
You could feel it across the resort: this was leadership rooted in humanity.
The values Butch Stewart built Sandals upon — loyalty, responsibility, kindness, and deep respect for Jamaica and its people — were not history. They were alive. Practiced. Visible.
Adam stepped up in a way that would have made his father proud.
Alongside him, the presence of the Sandals Foundation further reinforced what makes this brand different. Sandals is not simply a resort company operating in Jamaica — it is a Jamaican institution, deeply invested in its people, its communities, and its future.
You don’t manufacture culture in a crisis.
You reveal it.
What the Headlines Missed
Much of the mass media coverage following Hurricane Melissa focused on disruption and damage. While storms must always be taken seriously, those headlines failed to show what happened next.
They didn’t show:
- Staff working tirelessly despite not being able to reach their own families
- Leadership protecting employees as fiercely as guests
- Hugs replacing fear
- Pride and dignity carrying people through exhaustion
What I witnessed was resilience, courage, and love — from the Sandals team and from the Jamaican people.
Jamaica was not waiting to recover.
Jamaica was already moving forward.
Returning to a Nation Restored
I returned to Jamaica six weeks later, on December 3rd, 2025, for Back to Jamaica — an exclusive, invitation-only Travel Advisor event hosted by Adam Stewart, Chief Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International.
What I saw when I arrived left me genuinely moved.
Roads were repaired.
Power restored.
Resorts operating with confidence.
Communities open, welcoming, and proud.
The transformation in just six weeks was remarkable.
This was not a patchwork fix.
This was collective resilience in action.
Why This Event Mattered
Standing alongside 200+ top travel advisors from across North America, the intention behind this event was undeniable.
This was about truth.
The presence of Sandals leadership reinforced that message, including:
- Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International
- Gary Sadler, Executive Vice President of Sales & Industry Relations
- Garth Laird, Vice President, Trade Sales, US
- Senior Sandals & Beaches management teams
- Sales and Business Development Managers from Canada and the United States
This level of leadership shows up only when the message matters.
And the message was clear:
Jamaica is back.
Stronger.
Ready.
And open for travel.
The event also marked the anticipated reopening of Sandals Resorts across Jamaica, a milestone representing renewal, confidence, and forward momentum.
Sandals Today: Ready, Proud, and Welcoming You Back
From Sandals Ochi, where I witnessed the brand’s heart during the storm, to Sandals Dunn’s River, where I saw its confidence on full display, one thing is clear:
Sandals doesn’t disappear when things get hard.
It shows up stronger.
The Jamaican people are eagerly awaiting your arrival, ready to welcome you with the same soul, warmth, and admiration they have always been known for.
Tourism is the heartbeat of Jamaica — and now, more than ever, it matters.
Why I Share This With You
I don’t tell this story lightly.
I share it because I was there when it mattered most, and I returned when it was time to celebrate recovery.
When you book Sandals through Islands Refined, you’re not booking blindly. You’re booking with someone who has seen luxury behind the scenes — who understands how this brand prepares, protects, communicates, and cares when conditions are unpredictable.
Luxury shines when the sun is out.
Character is revealed when the skies turn dark.
If I ever face another hurricane — or any major uncertainty — I know this with absolute certainty:
I would not want to be anywhere other than a Sandals resort.
Because Sandals doesn’t just welcome you in good times.
They protect you in the hard ones.
Jamaica Is Back — Are You Ready?
My love for Jamaica runs deep.
My trust in Sandals is unwavering.
The island is ready.
The people are waiting.
And I would be honoured to help you return — thoughtfully, safely, and beautifully.
Jamaica is back.
Sandals is ready.
Are you? 🇯🇲✨
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