While most travelers dream of a week -long escape to the Caribbean, one couple took their love for luxury to another level.
Christopher and Tracey Smith, a retired couple from Southampton, have spent 1,000 nights at Sandals, an All-Inclusive Resort Chain for the past nine years.
The couple, 57 and 56 years old, have no children – so love the only for adults.
And they labeled their milestone holiday at Sandals Regency La Toc in St Lucia earlier this year – a resort they visited 24 times astonishing – where they were Treated with a ‘very, very special’ VIP-style celebration organized by staff.
Chris and Tracey’s love affair with Sandals Started in 2006 at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Jamaica – a destination that they still consider their favorite, despite having a total of 90 stay over 13 Sandals properties.
Tracey said, ‘I think our heart is always there. They recently went through some renovation, which has greatly improved the rooms, and they have an excellent choice of 16 restaurants and bars. ‘
According to Chris, it is also Jamaica’s ‘heavenly’ landscape, rhythmic dancehall music and ‘world’s best’ Kentucky friend who makes the pair so fond of the Caribbean nation.
From snorkeling and kayaking, to tubes and horse racing, the couple insists that they never get tired of the activities and amenities offered at sandals, and that they experience something new every time.
Christopher and Tracey Smith, a retired couple from Southampton, have spent 1,000 nights at Sandals, an All-Inclusive Resort Chain for the past nine years. They are above at Sandals Regency La Toc in St Lucia
Chris and Tracey marked their milestone holiday in St Lucia earlier this year – a resort they visited 24 times astonishingly
They were treated with a ‘very, very special’ VIP-style celebration organized by staff
Prices at sandals can range from about £ 1399 per person for a 7 night stay at Sandals South Coast to over £ 2.729 per person for a 7 night stay in Royal Curaçao.
How can Tracey and Chris afford to take up to four sandal holidays a year?
“Smart discussion,” claims Tracey.
She adds: ‘If you book a hotel accommodation while on a resort, you actually get between 10 and 12 percent discount on the cheapest price online.
“But also, every time you stay, you earn points. And again, if you go through the loyalty program, you get more points per pound spent. And it just reduces it from your balance. So it’s just smart with it. ‘
Chris, an avid scuba diver, adds: ‘WIf you break it down in terms of the sandals experience. So, the premium drinks, the restaurants, the water sports, the scuba diving … it’s all included.
“It will probably cost me a single dive of $ 132. Add it to a normal holiday. It does work out value for money. ‘
But Chris and Tracey’s love for sandals extend beyond pristine offenses and luxurious facilities.
Chris and Tracey’s love affair with sandals began in 2006 at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort (in the photo) in Jamaica – a destination they still consider their favorite
Prices at sandals can range from about £ 1399 per person for a 7 night stay at Sandals South Coast to over £ 2.729 per person for a 7 night stay at Royal Curaçao, and the couple says they afford it with ‘smart booking’
Chris, in the photo diving in St. Lucia, says: ‘If you break down what you actually get in terms of the sandals experience … it does work out value for money’
They are actively volunteering at the Sandals Foundation when they left participated in school reading sessions, offered beach clearance and Christmas for homeless people.
And they claim what makes them return are the people.
Tracey says: ‘Sandals not only invested in their guests, but they also invested their staff.
“We have seen how much of their staff grows, progresses through roles and moving the islands, and that is one of the reasons why we return, that is to catch up to people who have come to know us.
Chris adds: ‘When you are on the resort, managers or senior people always walk around to communicate with guests, and they want to know how your vacation is going.
“It’s a luxury holiday, and they want to make sure you leave with a positive experience.”
It is clear from the celebration that they were thrown into St Lucia to celebrate their 1000th night.
They were met at the airport by general manager James, who presented a bouquet of flowers, as well as a crowd of ’20 to 30 ‘singing, dancing staff outside the terminal, blowing flags.
Chris and Tracey are a party thrown to celebrate their 1000th night at sandals
Tracey and Chris, in the photo that voluntarily at the Sandals Foundation at a school, have already discussed two more Sandals holidays for this year
“It was like a diplomat welcome,” Tracey remembers.
But it wasn’t.
When they reached the St. Lucia Resort, more than 100 employees were in custom T -shirts with the faces of the couple and stood under a massive ‘Welcome Home, Chris and Tracey’ banner.
But now, with more than 90 sandals holidays behind them, the Smiths show no signs of slowdown.
They have already scheduled three more trips this year – including a twin center in Barbados and Saint Vincent in June, a return to Ochi Beach in September, and even a 2026 journey in the works.
And Tracey indicates: “We haven’t done Grenada yet, so we look forward to trying it and perhaps build it up in another return journey next year.”
