Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa & Offshore Island honored its shining stars May 9th in a glitzy and festive affair with a gold and black theme. The Annual Sandals Prestige Awards, held in the grand ballroom at the resort, boasted 16 categories of with over 50 nominees in the running for the coveted prizes.

Top honor of the evening went to Lesley-Ann Markland of the Epix Photo Shop department, winning the team member of the year (Diamond Team Member) and immediately placing her in the running to be the Sandals Ultimate Team Member of the Year, competing against other top employees from all other Sandals resorts across the Caribbean. If Lesley were to win that honor, she would receive an enviable package that includes but not limited to $20,000, a free week’s vacation at the Sandals resort of her choice, a private jet air-transfer, and a host of other VIP treatments.

Lucky Kahlon, General Manager of Sandals Royal Bahamian offered, “It was a pleasure to be a part of this gala to honor some of our hardest working team members here at Sandals Royal Bahamian. Every single nominee deserved to win so it was very difficult to choose the winners of each category this year. I’m incredibly proud of this team and I encourage them to keep pushing to outdo themselves and become leaders in their respective departments.”

Lesley-Ann shared, “I was honestly so shocked when I heard my name called by the General Manager for the team member of the year award! It really is a great feeling to be recognized by the company for the care and commitment we all put into our positions at Sandals. The four years I’ve spent at Sandals Royal Bahamian have been incredible. I can’t wait for what’s to come and to meet the other team members at the Sandals Ultimate Team Member Awards in Jamaica later this year!”

Lazar Delorenzo Charlton, Public Relations Manager added,”Not only is Lesley loved by her team mates and every guest of the hotel that comes into contact with her, she is one of the hardest working people at Sandals Royal Bahamian. We’re so honored to have these beacons of hospitality greatness with our company and we’re going to continue to do what we can to nurture their growth so they can become the new leaders of the hospitality industry of the Bahamas.”