Why we've stayed over 1,000 nights at the same luxury resort chain in the last nine years - and how we afford it
Christopher and Tracey Smith, a retired couple from Southampton, have spent 1,000 nights at Sandals, an all-inclusive resort chain, in the last nine years.
The couple, aged 57 and 56, have no children - so love the adults-only resort for that reason.
And they marked their milestone holiday earlier this year at Sandals Regency La Toc in St Lucia - a resort they've visited an astounding 24 times - where they were treated to a 'very, very special' VIP-style celebration arranged by the staff.
Chris and Tracey's love affair with Sandals began in 2006 at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Jamaica - a destination they still consider their favourite despite tallying a total of 90 stays across 13 Sandals properties.
Tracey said: 'I think our heart is always there. They've recently gone through some refurbishments, which have improved the rooms massively, and they've got a great choice of 16 restaurants and bars.'
According to Chris, it's also Jamaica's 'heavenly' landscape, rhythmic dancehall music and 'world's best' Kentucky Friend Chicken that makes the pair so fond of the Caribbean nation.
From snorkeling and kayaking, to tubing and horse racing, the couple insist they never tire of the activities and amenities on offer at Sandals, and they experience something new each time.
Prices at Sandals can range from around £1399 per person for a 7-night stay at Sandals South Coast to upwards of £2,729 per person for a 7-night stay at Royal Curaçao.
So how do Tracey and Chris afford to take up to four Sandals holidays a year?
'Smart booking', claims Tracey.
She adds: 'If you book a hotel stay whilst you're on resort, you actually get between 10 and 12 per cent discount off of the cheapest price online.
'But also, every time you stay, you earn points. And again, as you go through the loyalty programme, you get more points per pound spent. And they just reduce that off of your balance. So it's just being smart with it really.'
Chris, an avid scuba diver, adds: 'When you break down what you actually get in terms of the Sandals experience. So, the premium drinks, the restaurants, the water sports, the scuba diving... it's all included.
'It'll probably cost me $132 a single dive. Add that into a normal holiday. It does work out value for money.'
But Chris and Tracey's love of Sandals extends beyond pristine breaches and luxury amenities.
They actively volunteer with the Sandals Foundation whenever they're away, having participated in school reading sessions, beach cleanups, and provided Christmas meals for the homeless.
And they claim what keeps them returning is the people.
Tracey says: 'Sandals have not just invested in their guests, but they've invested their staff as well.
'We've seen lots of their staff grow, progress through roles and move around the islands, and that's one of the reasons we return, it is to catch up with people that we've come to know.
Chris adds: 'When you're on the resort, managers or senior people are always walking around interacting with guests, and they want to know how your vacation is going.
'It is a luxury vacation, and they want to make sure you leave with a positive experience.'
That's clear from the celebration they were thrown in St Lucia to celebrate their 1,000th night.
They were met at the airport by the general manager, James, who presented them with a bouquet of flowers, as well as a crowd of '20 to 30' singing, dancing staff outside the terminal, waving flags.
'It was like a diplomat's welcome,' recalls Tracey.
But that wasn't it.
When they got to the St Lucia resort, over 100 employees lined up in custom t-shirts bearing the couple's faces, standing under a massive 'Welcome Home, Chris and Tracey' banner.
But now, with more than 90 Sandals holidays behind them, the Smiths show no signs of slowing down.
They've already scheduled three more trips this year - including a twin-centre stay in Barbados and Saint Vincent in June, a return to Ochi Beach in September, and even a 2026 trip already in the works.
And Tracey hints: 'We haven't done Grenada yet, so we're looking forward to trying that and maybe building that into another return trip next year as well.'
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