Sonesta Resorts Sint Maarten strives for excellence and improvement of the guest experience at the all-inclusive, adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and family Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa. The resorts have made a speedy yet steady recovery following Hurricane Irma just two years ago. While facing some operational and personnel challenges, the team is very committed to making continued improvements in every area of operation. With the appointment of a new VP of Operations and key members of the Executive Food & Beverage team, in addition to a new staff training and incentive program, the resorts are poised to offer guests the great Caribbean vacation experience it has long been known for.
New VP of Operations
Mr. Jamie Lee joins The Maho Group as Vice President of Operations and General Manager for Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa and Sonesta Ocean Point. Jamie’s previous position was with the six-star, luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises, bringing knowledge that is perfectly matched for the operations and scale of Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten. During his tenure, he managed and oversaw various aspects of the company’s business including revenue management and budgeting, as well as being a pro at ensuring that standard operating procedures are continuously met in order that routine operations are smoothly carried out. Jamie has an incredible aptitude for successfully motivating and managing teams, resources and networks, excellent communication skills and experience in exceeding customer satisfaction goals ensuring that GSTS (Guest Satisfaction Tracking System) feedback is reviewed and appropriately actioned; a key factor in the success of the properties. Jamie is also a former member of the Maho Group team having served as Vice President of Casino Operations for Casino Royale from 2010-2014.
Food & Beverage Appointments
Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten understands that the food and beverage experience is paramount, and the company is making huge strides to meet the high standards today’s modern traveler has come to expect. With the overhaul of the executive food and beverage team, a roll out of new culinary offerings is in place, elevating the all-inclusive dining experience with a focus on quality, freshness, variety and authentic international and local flavors that cater to every guests’ preference. Below are the newest members of the Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten food and beverage team:
- Mr. Thomas V. Van Balveren was appointed Director of Food & Beverage over the summer, implementing a comprehensive strategy for the resorts post opening. Most recently he acted as General Manager at the five-star Zoetry in Montego Bay and was director of food and beverage at Secrets Wild Orchid, Secrets St. James and did the pre-opening of the all-inclusive Breathless Montego Bay, responsible for all food and beverage and banquet operations overseeing a total of 850 rooms with 13 restaurants and 13 bars. A Dutch native, Thomas has extensive experience in Caribbean hospitality from the kitchen to management with tenures at the Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino, Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort in Curacao and Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island in Montego Bay. He has shown exemplary professionalism and enthusiasm, utilizing his expertise in large-scale operational management, training and guest services to implement procedures to exceed company goals.
- New Executive Chef, Mr. Francisco Almonte Martinez has extensive kitchen management experience in the Caribbean. From the Dominican Republic to Jamaica, Chef Francisco has developed menus, and recipes supervised staff while maintaining the highest professional food quality and sanitation standards. His most recent tenures were as Executive Sous Chef of Royalton White Sands Jamaica, Executive Chef of Sandals Negril, Jamaica and Executive chef of Iberostar Suite, Rosehall Jamaica.
- New Executive Sous Chef, Mr. Ramon Santana Rijo is multi-lingual, hails from the Dominican Republic and has been working in the Caribbean as an Executive Chef and Sous Chef for almost 20 years. He has a passion for creative culinary menus while ensuring guest and operational satisfaction by overseeing a motivated and efficient team in the kitchen, banquets and all areas of food service. His past experience as an Executive Chef and Sous Chef includes the Grand Bahia Principe Hotel, La Romana, Hyatt Rose Hall Jamaica, Sandals Ochi Beach Resorts, Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica and most recently Sunscape Splash and Cove Montego Bay.
- New Executive Pastry Chef, Mr. Sheikh Masood Ahsan brings years of experience in his native India and beyond, most recently working at The Gift International Centre, the premier business and leisure Clubotel in Gujarat, where he was an important member of pre-opening team implementing equipment, team training and overseeing standards of operations. Chef Masood has extensive experience in the kitchen at international hotels from Oman to the Maldives.
Maintenance
Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten also welcomes Damian R. Passmore as Chief Engineer who will oversee maintenance, telecommunications and electrical at the properties bringing his prior 15 years of hospitality experience. He was most recently Maintenance Manager at Melia Braco Village and engineering supervisor at Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort in Jamaica.
Staff Training and Incentive Program
Management rolled out at the end of August 2019 an intensive customer service training program that is ongoing and mandatory for each team member. The multi-faceted training program outlines every aspect of appropriate guest interaction. To encourage staff to bring their A-game, an incentive program is in place that rewards team members if a guest shares a positive interaction or experience. Team members are also rewarded based on the number of mentions and shoutouts received on internal CSQ (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire) that guests submit post-travel.
Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten is continuing to improve its overall operations in every department and is confident that with this stellar team in place, it will not only elevate guests’ vacation experience but also exceed expectations of travelers to the destination.
For more information and reservations, please visit www.sonesta.com/
Follow Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten on social media: Facebook: /SonestaStMaarten and /OceanPointResortSXM and Instagram: @mahobeachresort and @oceanpointresort.
Reopened December 15, 2018, Sonesta Ocean Point Resort embraces a contemporary Caribbean style, offering an adults-only, limitless all-inclusive vacation experience, while bringing style, luxury and outstanding service to Sint Maarten. Set in the most spectacular location with breathtaking views over Maho Bay, adjacent to Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa, the 130 all-suite ultra-luxurious yet sustainable “resort within a resort” sits on the westernmost point of the island and features three exclusive pools including the Edge pool with a zero entry cliff side beach, four bars and two restaurants including the signature Azul restaurant and other resort amenities such as 24-hour room service, state-of-the-art fitness center, an open-air wellness area and private cabanas. Amenities are complemented by exemplary service from personalized concierges and Butler service in the top 25 suite categories for extra comfort and next level luxury, all culminating in one of the most uniquely designed resorts in Sint Maarten and the entire Caribbean. Apart from the exclusive amenities at Sonesta Ocean Point, guest will have full access to all services and facilities at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa with five additional restaurants and bars, Serenity Spa with sauna and steam room, tour desk, sports courts, Casino Royale and more than 24,000 square-feet of brand new meeting and conference facilities.
Reopened February 27, 2019, the brand new, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is the largest, limitless, all-inclusive family resort in Sint Maarten offering an exhilarating and fun vacation experience combined with stellar customer service. With limitless all-inclusive meals, drinks, Kids Club, Teen Zone and scheduled activity programs for all ages, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is a destination within a destination, offering the island’s most exciting nightlife, a variety of accommodations and first-rate amenities for singles, couples, families and groups. The 10-acre, 420-room beachfront property is conveniently located on Sint Maarten’s southwest shore just minutes from the airport and features the oversized signature Oasis pool area with swim-up bar and separate kids pool with mini aqua park; five restaurants and a pizzeria; five bars; fitness center; oceanfront wedding gazebo; and more than 24,000 square-feet of meeting space and unique outdoor venues. Guest can enjoy other amenities including the signature Serenity Spa and the destination’s largest gaming emporium and theatre Casino Royale as well as access to tours, car rental and motorized water sports for an additional fee.
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