Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Charles Hanna, Suzanne Issa, Oriente Issa, Jackie Issa, Jean Watson, Paul Issa at the Couples Negril cocktail party.

Luvs, it was nine years ago that the Lee Issa-led arm of the Issa family signalled their intentions of making the Couples Resort brand a major player in the tourism industry. They rebranded Swept Away Negril to Couples Swept Away, and unveiled the fabulously luxurious Couples Negril.

Dears, the late Abe Issa was a man ahead of his years when it came to promotional marketing of hotels, and the value of celebrity when it came to the marketing of said hotels. It was this understanding that guided him and made him transform the then Myrtle Bank Hotel in downtown Kingston. It was a world-class salon, a place to be and be seen as the rich and famous of the world jetted in to soak up the island atmosphere.

He used this same formula when he opened the Tower Isle Hotel in St. Mary, later rebranded as the first Couples Resort, that went on to fire and capture the imagination of the vacationing couple, whether newly-weds or anniversary celebrants, and would go on, over time, to be one of the hottest vacationing packages for couples.

The Couples experience

Anyway, my dears, the Couples brand is celebrated world over for being the pioneering wonder brand in the field. And with its continuing expansion across the island, there are more and more vacationers flying to these shores to make the Couples experience their very own. And my dears, how!

Dovecakes, the pioneering Abe Issa bequeathed his offspring and a would-be grateful nation a first-world brand, designed to be successful generations beyond the shelf life of the current!

Two weekends ago a number of Kingston's leading citizenry, as well as a number of leading tourism players, headed over to Negril for the annual anniversary celebrations of Couples Swept Away. It rained a bit but there was no escaping the absolute fabness of it all!

The partying began over at the tres fab and oh so environmentally chic Couples Swept Away - a fabulous 312-room all-suite resort, nestled in a seemingly man-made rainforest of fab fauna and foliage, with some towering trees and miles of the famous Negril white sand beaches.

The opening salvo for the weekend of partying was fired off by GM Ricardo Bowleg, who hosted a simply spectacular cocktail, dinner and entertainment package that was both memorable and simply divine!

Sweet-things, we are talking a gourmet's heaven here, not to mention a paradise for those with a sweet tooth! Oh my word, what a culinary celebration! The fare, the pairing of wines; the service, the ambience - oh precious angels, it was akin to a feast for divinity!

To be sure, there was traditional outdoor entertainment, but with the constant drizzle threatening to become a downpour, guests were tentative, dressed as they were, to the nines and then some!

For those suffering pangs of regrets because of the intervening weather condition, their dismay proved temporary, as the party moved indoors to the resort's Aura Night Club and piano lounge. The motif for the night was definitely a retro affair with a take-off of famed New York nightclub - Studio 54 - fabulously chiselled bouncers and all, who actually decided whether guests were chic or hot enough to gain entrance!

Spectacular to do

Lee and Jane Issa with son Alex Issa and his wife, Rebecca. - Contributed photos

My dears, it was the coup de grace for an evening of untold oohs and aahs, occasioned by an entertainment offering that included 'Elvis Presley' in cabaret; Charmaine Lemonius in concert; fire-eaters and dancers; magic, themed traditional performers, clowns and gowns, and a marvellous air of celebration it made for a spectacular do!

Saturday night the rains not only came early, they lingered, but that, my dears, was not enough to stop the show and celebrations down the road at Couples Negril, as GM Karen Lanigan and her complement of staff were the perfect hosts, and then some, as not only did they roll out the red carpet for their guests, they did so in faultless style.

Oh, what a night! The in-house mento band kept spirits rolling in the resort's upper lobby; the bars flowing with the steady hum of the rain, while hotel staff skilfully navigated their way through the throngs of bustling guests, trays laden with premium drinks for partying guests, and, my dears, Couples Negril was not only designed with partying in mind, it was designed for haute-partying!

Luvs, the lobby of the resort is not unlike a grand balcony that gives way to the fabulous view of the idyllic and tropically picturesque view of the beach, giant-sized swimming pool and general leisure area, on the lower level. It was here that was all decked out for the grand reception! We are talking giant ice-carvings, giant-sized marquees and petit kiosks - all done to capture the essence of a tropical fantasy.

Beautiful outing

Oh my word, and a dozen Hail Marys, and her sainted image, what a beautiful outing it proved! From a fare that literally represented all the known major culinary influences known to the world, to the cosmopolitan ice-bars and their incredibly nurturing offerings, to the hallowed hall that housed the most mind-boggling offerings of desserts, precious angels, it was enough to make the gods of old go purple with envy!

In between the raindrops, there was a bonfire; Tammy Tease was good in her rendition of Diana King's hit singles; there was a band that sounded remarkably like the celebrated Third World; a footbridge across the Olympic-sized swimming pool added to the allure; giant heliconias marking the various paths and stations; flowing orchids - all adding to the charm and beauty as eloquent testimonials to the chic that is the Couples Resort's signature style!

Among the dignitaries and notables out celebrating were: head of the Issa Couples clan, Lee and his charming wife Jane; his siblings Paul and his wife, the lovely Oriente Issa, their jet-setting sisters the fabulous Jackie and Suzanne Issa, just back from a month in Dubai; brother-in-law Robert Cartade; Lee's son Alex Issa and his beautiful and charming wife Rebecca Issa; long-time family friends preferred socialites Charles Hanna and Anthony and Jeanne Watson; John Cooke and his sibling Cynthia Cooke.

Also present were: Deputy British High Commissioner Paul Nicolopulo and his charming wife Kareen, CEO of Couples Resorts Glenn Lawrence; VP Operations Gary Stephens; Group PR Director the charming Alex Ghisays; Tom Finn of Island Getaways; renowned interior designer Nancy Beckham (who, along with Jane Issa, did the fab Aura Lounge at Swept Away); Richard Sinclair of Negril Hills Golf Club; FirstCaribbean's honcho Milton Brady and his wife Charlotte; Digicel's David Hall and his charmingly lovely wife Liz; Gary Williams; Richard and Carol Burke; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Marzouca; David Holland and his absolutely flawlessly fabulous wife Fenella Holland.

We spotted the fabulous Jennifer Izzo; Phillip and Patti Paxton; Ricky Wates and his lovely wife Heather Wates; the lovely Mary Viera; Stephen and Linda Dear; Caron Chung; Tom Martin and his fab wife Sandy Martin of the famed Pirate's Cave, on Negril's West End; Patrick Brady of Risky Business; Mathew Marzouca of Rockhouse; Carey and Eleanor Wallace of Negril Escape; Rosa Young; Bertram Saulter of The Caves; Donahue Jarrett, from th West Hotel, in Montego Bay; Joseph Smith and his lovely wife Evelyn; Martine Fontaine; Mr. and Mrs. Steve James; Errol Bennett; Tabitha Athie; Andrew Fazio (Flow); Hugh Logan (CPJ); John Smith (National Meats); Chris Hayman; Niall Sheehy; Joy Clark; plus several others.

Sharing a laugh at the Couples Negril cocktail party are (from left) Lee Issa, chairman; Paul Issa, a director; Gary Stephens vice-president of operations; Glenn Lawrence, CEO, and David Hall, CEO of Digicel, the leading sponsor for the Couples Charity Golf Tournament which was held on Sunday.