The last event at Viceroy Anguilla was like a festive occasion on Tuesday night, August 23. The entrance to, and around, the pool area at Aleta Restaurant, was a scene of celebration.
Colourful balloons littered almost everywhere and there were at least two designated areas for photo shoots of the specially-attired employees – called colleagues, as well as the executive members. Some three hundred of the over five hundred colleagues were at the event. Among them were a number of persons who will now be “moving on” resulting from Viceroy’s transition to Four Seasons when the new property opens in October.
A musical band and a layout of food and drink complemented the occasion, marked also by signs that read “Aloha” telling all concerned in the Hawaiian language “goodbye” or “hello” from Viceroy.
Outgoing General Manager, Mr. Jon Gersonde, a native of Hawaii, was among the outgoing Executive Committee members who spoke at the event to The Anguillian and later to the colleagues. “Tonight we are having a celebration to thank all of the Viceroy colleagues for a wonderful year. It is especially important because it is the last day of Viceroy here, and Viceroy Anguilla is the first ever on the island,” he said. “I feel very happy because the theme ‘Aloha’ is Hawaiian and I am from Hawaii. Tonight is about thanking the colleagues and managers for working so hard, given the transition.” He went on: “Viceroy closed for business on August 22nd but will officially close on the 31st of August. Four Seasons takes over on the first of September [and will open in October].”
“What is your reaction to this?” Mr. Gersonde was asked.
“We are excited for the future of our colleagues and wish Four Seasons great success,” he replied. “We have over five hundred colleagues but tonight we are expecting at least three hundred. It has been a great season overall. The Caribbean was plagued with Zika and many other challenges, but we had an exceptional season. That’s what tonight is about: thanking the colleagues for doing a great job and working so hard, for caring so much, and for making Viceroy Anguilla what it is today.”
Mr. Gersonde, whose appointment to Anguilla was announced in January 2015, also thanked Mr. Mike Walsh, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations for Viceroy Hotel Group and others.
“Do you say that you are handing over a very successful hotel to Four Seasons?” he was asked by The Anguillian.
“Absolutely,” he responded.
Mr. Steve Watson, a longstanding Executive Committee member, commented: “I have actually been here for seven years. I came to Anguilla as Senior Project Manager for the construction and development site, and I ended up being absorbed with the ownership of Starwood and to keep this place looking as beautiful as I can. I was Vice President of Engineering and because of the transition and my knowledge of the property, I have stayed on with Starwood to help with the transition to the new Four Seasons. Anguilla is my home now. It has a place in my heart.”
Anguillian, Ms. Dorla Hodge, who has served as Director of Human Resources with Viceroy Anguilla, said: “It has been an amazing experience. It is probably one of the best experiences of my career. We always had a farewell event at the end of every season, but this marks the end of Viceroy Anguilla as we know it. When we reopen it will be known as Four Seasons so we are saying goodbye to something where we spent the last six years. Tonight we are celebrating our memories and achievements, and we look forward to what lies ahead for us.” Ms. Hodge, who will be staying on in her post, thanked all the colleagues for their work with Viceroy over the years.
Among the other Executive Committee members who spoke, was Mr. Peron Sepersaud who has served as Director of Rooms with Viceroy, but who will now be “moving on”. He joined in thanking his colleagues and offered his best wishes to Four Seasons. The outgoing executives were presented with tokens of appreciation, including replicas of Anguilla’s sleek racing boats, by Ms. Hodge.
