Reggae, ‘ites’, gold and green dominate Couples San Souci’s 14th anniversary celebrations

COUPLES SAN Souci’s 14th anniversary celebrations was a night for which the entire reggae music industry would have been proud. The hundreds of Rastafarian flags and banners that were hoisted on the grounds of the Ocho Rios-based hotel, and which fluttered on the roofs of the large tents under which dining took place, could perhaps only be rivalled by those at the popular Rebel Salute show.

Even the dining table decor was embellished with the ‘ites’, gold and green, which has become synonymous with reggae. The night was aptly christened ‘Love and Reggae Music’.

Fittingly, the various genres of indigenous Jamaican music spanning rocksteady, ska, and the sounds of dancehall permeated the air ahead of the live stage show, which was headlined by reggae legend Freddie McGregor and 1999

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Festival Song winner, Chetenge.

San Souci’s verve for design will again come to life within a few months, this time on a much larger scale when it takes a hiatus to undergo a refurbishing exercise, led by co-owner Jane Issa. The renovated San Souci is expected to further wow its new and multiple-repeat guests, according to General Manager Pierre Battaglia.

“In the next couple of months, Couples San Souci is going to close its doors for a period and this is to, of course, upgrade a lot of the facility, especially the 78 suites that are located on the other side of the resort,” Battaglia told the gathering at the anniversary event, as he lauded the staff at all levels within the various departments who contributed to the property’s success.

“We feel very excited about this project and I am sure that all of you, our repeat guests especially, are looking forward to all the upgrades that we are going to do at the resort. We want to make sure that you feel comfortable that this wonderful team here will do an incredible job to present for you, on November 1, a brand new resort and an incredible facility,” he added.

PHOTOS BY ASHLEY ANGUIN In sync with the dress code, Giovanni Pinnock (left) and Tanesia Clarke go all out.

Pierre Battaglia, general manager, Couples San Souci, cuts the 14th anniversary cake with Jane Issa.

From left: Lee Issa, chairman of Couples Resorts; Pierre Battaglia, general manager, Couples San Souci; Jane Issa; Paul Issa, deputy chairman of Couples Resorts; and his wife, Oriente.

A true African ‘dawta,’ Shellian Samuels looks stunning in her cultural garb.

Deleen Gooden (left) and Tanice Reid.

Latesha Saunders of Yaaman Adventure Park.

From left: Andrew Todd and wife Tricia, Diane Belnavis and her husband Michael, mayor of St Ann’s Bay.

Richard and Susan White.

Don and Laura Klejnot.