Sailrock Resort – Vacation with a Touch of Kindness

Sailrock Resort in South Caicos has it all for vacationers seeking the ultimate in an island luxury escape. There is one ingredient that Sailrock guests experience that isn’t advertised, and this is something you will take home as a treasured keepsake.

Kindness. It’s a word, an emotion, and a feeling that is hard to find in our crazy world. For those lucky enough to vacation on this 8-mile-long island that is home to Sailrock Resort, kindness is something that their international staff believes in and a generosity that ultimately touches the heart of the resort’s guests.

Sailrock has assembled a team that hails from remote points all around the world. They have previous hospitality experience from some of the finest luxury resorts on the planet. How this international team journeyed to flourish on one of the Caribbean’s smallest islands is an unspoken chapter in the Sailrock story. Here is what two guests from Minnesota experienced and decided to share.

Welcome to South Caicos

As the two vacationers from one of America’s coldest outposts arrived at the Sailrock entrance, Harvey, the resort’s Director of Real Estate, greeted the duo with a chilled cocktail that was blue in color and served on the rocks. The guests learned that the drink included Turks and Caicos distilled coconut rum, and blue Curacao liqueur. They also discovered that Harvey previously worked in the Bahamas, but with a radiant smile, Harvey declared that South Caicos felt like home. You only have one chance to make a first impression, and Harvey’s welcome was as sincere as it gets.

The couple’s short vacation itinerary included a first day ATV and kayaking tour. They were met by Ben, a tour guide who had marine biology aspirations. Ben, and his protege Jose, led the couple on a rugged trip that showcased South Caicos’ amazing ocean views, as well as some of the luxury homes that dotted the island’s west coastline. The tour was capped by kayaking on the island’s tranquil waters and then refreshments on a sandbar that featured a postcard setting of the whitest sand flanked by the bluest water.

Ben was engaging, and he noted that he was thrilled that tiny South Caicos had a stellar marine biology school. The island supported a spectacular eco-system, and it was considered one of the most plentiful fishing villages in the Caribbean. The Minnesotans had only been at Sailrock for four hours, and they had already met two staffers who treated them like lifelong friends.

Magical Morning

At breakfast the next morning, the guests headed to The Greathouse restaurant to start their day. The couple couldn’t help but be captivated by the breakfast view to the west. When they asked about what they were seeing, their server Catherine smiled and said, “That’s God’s magic.” She went on to explain that this scene captured Sailrock’s Cove Restaurant, a favorite open-air beach bar, as well as the South Bank residential community.

A few minutes later, another server named Roberto asked the Minnesotan what his golf handicap was. Caught off guard, the Minnesotan asked, “How did you know I was a golfer?” Roberto pointed at the logo on the guest’s polo shirt, and he said that golf course was located where he is from in the Dominican Republic.

Curious after learning about the beach bar restaurant, the couple headed to this al fresco bistro for lunch. The Cove showcased one of the prettiest white-sand beaches the couple had ever seen. After settling in at a table that offered a tremendous view of the Caribbean Sea, a server arrived to ask if they’d like a drink before lunch.

More Kindness at Lunch

The Cove bartender came by with the couple’s drinks. With a flair, the bartender poured the locally brewed Turks Head lager the Minnesotan had requested. When asked where the bartender was from, he replied, “Sri Lanka.”

Jerome, this bartender, had worked at a luxury resort in the Maldives, an island chain known for some of the bluest water and finest high-end resorts in the world. The bartender also said he was looking forward to seeing the couple the following day for their Mixology Class.

A server arrived at the couple’s table a few minutes after they had raised their drinks in a quiet vacation celebration. Earl hailed from St. Lucia, and he provided a few suggestions regarding his favorite lunch entrees. The food was nicely presented, and the view was awesome. The couple worked off their lunch by paddleboarding and kayaking along the gentle turquoise waters beyond The Cove’s shoreline.

A Private Chef

A Private Chef was to prepare a meal at the Minnesota couple’s villa. About 45 minutes prior to the chef’s arrival, a familiar face stood outside their glass villa door. It was Roberto. His job was to set up the dinner table for the special event.

Roberto talked to the couple about life back home in the Dominican Republic while he precisely prepared the long table with rose pedals, a candle, and a nicely positioned vase with fresh flowers. He then turned on soft music for ambiance, and he adjusted special overhead lighting so everything looked just right. The conversation between the couple and Roberto was easy, like speaking to a long-time friend.

Moments later, the private chef arrived. Mario hailed from Jamaica, and he was somewhat shy while preparing a meal of salad, steak, vegetables, mash potatoes, and lobster. When the couple asked what type of music would best complement their meal, Mario smiled and said, “Reggae.” The music shifted to a Bob Marley instrumental. The delicious meal was topped by a dessert of chocolate mousse with vanilla ice cream.

Serving from a Distant Land

At breakfast the next morning, the couple’s server was Carel. The Minnesotans inquired as to where she had worked before Sailrock, and also where she called home.

Carel was from the Philipinnes, and she worked for quite some time at a luxury resort in Jordan. Carel shared that war broke out in a country neighboring her workplace. Her family encouraged her to seek a safer environment, and so she was thrilled when she started working at Sailrock.

During breakfast Putra, Sailrock’s Guest Liaison Manager, stopped at the couple’s table to see how their vacation was going and if there was anything he could do to make it even better. Putra was ever present throughout their stay, always smiling and joking with the guests. Putra was also a native of the Philipinnes, and he’d been working at Sailrock since it had opened.

An Unforgettable Happening at Sunset

The couple met almost the entire Sailrock crew during their short stay in South Caicos. Junie, from Bali, arranged for a couple’s massage. She gave the Minnesotans a hug when they told her they were leaving the next morning.

Andre, Sailrock’s Managing Director, hailed from British Columbia, and he’s led luxury resorts around the world. Andre made a point of wishing the couple well in the moments before their leaving the resort for a shuttle flight to Providenciales.

The moment that will always reflect the kinship and kindness that flowed from the Sailrock team happened at the bonfire beach dinner that was a Tuesday evening resort tradition. Halfway through their meal, the couple noticed a child’s green toy ball floating away into the Caribbean Sea.

Jose, the quiet member of the ATV and kayak adventure team, jumped on a Hobie Cat sailboat and headed out to sea. As the sun set, Jose returned 30 minutes later with the ball in hand. It was hard to tell who was happier, the child or Jose.

The Minnesotan walked up to Jose with outstretched arms as if to say, “What just happened?” Jose smiled, looked into the vacationer’s eyes and quietly said, “That’s just what we do here at Sailrock.” sailrocksouthcaicos.com