Thu | Mar 28, 2024

It's now SuperClubs SuperFun Resort!

Published:Friday | October 22, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Founder and chairman of the SuperClubs Chain of International Resorts, The Hon John Issa, and his lovely wife, Aida Issa.
Sonia Davis, one of the managers at the SuperClubs SuperFun Resort and Spa, is sandwiched by Muna Issa (left) and her twin sibling Zein Issa-Nakash.
From left: Muna Issa, her twin sister Zein Issa-Nakash of SuperClubs, Mark Cole, executive chef of Breezes SuperClubs and Superfun Resort and Spa, and his twin brother Andrew Cole, food and beverage manager, SuperFun Resort and Spa, at the resort's official reopening last Friday. - Contributed photos
1
2
3

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

And so, after closing its doors for refurbishing and rebranding, the resort property that once operated under the very successful brand of Hedonism Resorts, Hedonism II, in Runaway Bay, St Ann, reopened its doors last weekend under the new name of SuperClubs SuperFun Resort and Spa.

It was billed as a soft opening, hosted by the founder and chairman of SuperClubs Resorts, The Honourable John Issa, and his fabulous wife, Aida, for travel agents and other industry insiders and players. There was absolutely nothing soft about last Friday's cocktail reception to signal that the resort was back in business, as not only was the event a charmer, it had all the elements of haute style and fashionable pizzazz for which SuperClubs dos are known.

And so under somewhat balmy evening condition, travel agents and a shortlist of other industry insiders, friends, as well as leading members of the SuperClubs family, gathered at the celebrated property, to initiate the latest brand addition to the SuperClubs portfolio. The 225 suites and rooms, famed for its fabulous olympic-sized swimming pools, quadrangle, swim-up bars, three-specialty restaurants, in addition to grand-dining terrace, beach-grills and barbecue; plus countless other amenities, including water sports and spa facilities, made for a simply fab outing!

For the most part, the dress code was beach-casual and the preferred attire for many was the Tommy-Bahama style, but there was no escaping the sense of occasion and import of the returning resort to the SuperClubs complement of rooms in Jamaica to welcome the upcoming winter tourist season.

And as guests mingled and laa-dee-daahed, there was no escaping the sense that this was a gathering of a tightly woven family unit whose mutual interdependence made for a rather trusting and accommodating bond. The bond was evident from the bellman to the travel agents who first interface with the vacationer, and years of interaction and the sense of camaraderie that has been cultivated was truly special.

Staff retained

But perhaps even more poignant and heart-warming for those in attendance was the fact that the resort had retained its complement of staff, so travel agents and others who had visited or vacationed at the former Hedonism III were more than comforted by the fact that they were being served by familiar faces, known for their professionalism and pride in their roles as ambassadors of not only SuperClubs resorts but brand and destination Jamaica!

Sadly, for the many multi-repeat guests who saw the resort in its former incarnation as Hedonism III, the reopening of the property as SuperClubs SuperFun Resort and Spa did not represent a case of 'Happy Days are here again', as the new resort will not carry the trailblazing, attention-grabbing and even headlining loving adult fun and games and entertainment packages that characterised the Hedonism brand.

The property is a beautifully laid out one with its own special charm and appeal that makes for a very welcoming atmosphere, facilitated by a dedicated cadre of management to line staff who have infused the resort with its own infectious personality and vacation mystique.

And so, over cocktails, some divine finger foods, guests were wined and dined and introduced to the new SuperFun Resort and Spa by Chairman John Issa and wife, Aida, and their daughters, twins and heiresses Zein Issa-Nakash and Muna Issa, by their side.

It was vacation time for some, so the official ceremony was distinctly brief but there was no shortage of prime libations, exquisite food and faultless company and it made for a beautiful evening, despite the muggy weather.

Leading the line of those out were: Host General Manager Lance Parrish; Resort Manager Sonia Davis; Human Resource Manager Bunny Williams; SuperClubs Chief Operations Officer Abe Moore; the vice- president of sales and marketing, Paul Pennicooke; vice-president, operations, Sam James and Gary Williams; Richard Bourke, general manager of Breezes Trelawny; general manager, Breezes Runaway Bay, Franklyn Eaton; general manager, Breezes Bahamas, Jackson Weech; the lovely Sonia Hosein, in from Florida; Mr and Mrs Paul Bauhr; Jim and Champagne Bailey; Demetrius Canton of Expedia.com, and companion Margarita Pas; Travelocity's Sara Fried; Daniel Rice of Orbitz; Zee Jusuf of Dream Pleasure Tours; Karen Shutt of US Airways Vacation; and Tom Carr; the charming Cheryl Moore; executive chef of Breezes Runaway Bay and SuperFun Resort and Spa, Mark Cole, his twin brother, Andrew Cole, food and beverage manager, SuperFun Resort and Spa; and PR manager the fabulously lovely Diana Wilson; plus many others.

But what a charming evening it all made for!