Viceroy Anguilla is off again on its customary line of festive events during the last two weeks of December, culminating in a special New Year’s Eve celebration – dubbed the biggest on the island.
It is a period when the resort welcomes its highest paying guests, most of them being repeat visitors. The first festive guests arrived on December 19 and the arrivals are steady climbing with full occupancy booked for December 29 – leading into the New Year’s Eve celebration. It is that heightened period when posh executive private jets will be zooming into Anguilla from across the United States.
Two leading US entertainment groups will be in Anguilla for the festive events. They are the X Ambassadors, a top New York band, and the Lost Kings, a group of DJs based in Los Angeles. The period promises to be an exciting and enjoyable time both for the visiting guests and residents of Anguilla as well.
Members of Viceroy Anguilla’s Executive Committee, and a large number of colleagues – members of staff in the various departments of the resort – met on Thursday, December 17. The gathering was a Festive Prep Rally, ahead of the coming celebration when colleagues were updated on plans and asked to “shine” in their work performance and interaction with the festive guests.
Outgoing General Manager, Mr Richard Alexander, set the tone for the rally, emphasing past successes and achievements for the festive season and urging the colleagues to be at their highest level of guest service.
He was joined in addressing the colleagues by Mr. Roy Shanholtz, Vice President and Asset Manager for Hotel Operations with the Starwood Capital Group, owners of Viceroy; Mr. Mike Walsh, Senior Vice President of Viceroy Hotel Group; and Mr. Jon Gersonde, the new General Manager of Viceroy Anguilla. Anguillian Mr. Peron Supersaud, head of Guest Services and Room Operations, was also among others who spoke during the prep rally.
The opportunity was taken by Mr Shanholtz and Mr. Walsh to thank Mr. Alexander for his four years of managing Viceroy Anguilla. “Viceroy has progressed over the last five or six years and through Richard – and his leadership – he is a main part of that progress over these four years,” Mr. Shanholtz stated. “I thank Richard for all of his efforts here and what he has done.” Replying, Mr. Alexander said that while he was humbled by the commendation, the praise was really for the colleagues through whom the success of the resort was achieved during his tenure.
At the same time, Mr. Wash welcomed the new General Manager, Mr. Geronde, whom he described as a seasoned hotelier at many major and phenomenal resorts in Hawaii. Mr. Gersonde was pleased with the warm welcome he received and was delighted to be back in the Caribbean again – having served in the British Virgin Islands some years ago. He told The Anguillian: “I lived in the Caribbean before, in the BVI, and it has been a long time since I have been back. I wanted to come back so I am so excited. I think Viceroy and Anguilla are both beautiful, and what I have seen I am really impressed and really excited.”
Mr. Alexander will not be in Anguilla for the festive events which he has enjoyed over the years. That privilege now belongs to Mr. Gersonde who also took the opportunity to gear up the colleagues and Viceroy Anguilla in preparation for the festivities.
