Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (March 9, 2010) � The Sands at Grace Bay won top honors at the annual Turks & Caicos Star Awards dinner that took place on February 25, 2010.  General Manager Pierre Beswick was named �Hotelier of the Year�, Pool & Beach Attendant Christopher Suerte was honored as �Employee of the Year� and the hotel�s developer Stan Hartling, the CEO of The Hartling Group, received the �Lifetime Achievement� award.

Only in its second year, the Star Awards honors local hoteliers and staff for exceptional service and commitment to their community.  Applications are submitted by each property and reviewed by a panel of independent judges, except for �Hotelier of the Year� which is voted on by all Hotel Association members.

�I am deeply honored by this award from my peers,� said Pierre Beswick.  �It is one thing to receive an award based on a formal judging process but it is even more special when you know that your friends and colleagues have singled you out for such an honor.�

General Manager Pierre Beswick, originally from Jamaica, began his hospitality immediately after graduation from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1996. Since then, he has worked in various hospitality-related services and marketing positions in the United States and the Caribbean. Pierre joined The Hartling Group in December of 2004 after five successful years with Chris Blackwell�s Island Outpost Group and has served as the General Manager of The Sands at Grace Bay for the past five years.

Employee of the Year winner, Christopher Suerte has worked for The Sands at Grace Bay since May 2007 and has emerged as a leader in the Pool & Beach Department.  Christopher receives many personal mentions in praises from the guest.  In addition to his outgoing leadership skills and being of help to his teammates, Christopher is very active in the community. He has received many awards during his time here including Employee of the Year due to his excellent and exemplary performance in 2007, Certificate of Excellence for 2009, and Employee of the Month August 2008. 

It is unusual to have a sweep of the top honors in any awards program.  It is even more deeply gratifying when the man responsible for it all receives recognition for a lifetime of achievement and devotion to the industry and destination that he now calls home.  Canadian by birth, Stan Hartling got his start in property development and management in 1985.  Since moving to Providenciales full-time nine years ago, Stan has nurtured relationships with local government and other entrepreneurs, and is a committed supporter of his community. 

The Sands at Grace Bay
P.O. Box 681, Providenciales
Turks & Caicos Islands
British West Indies

In 1996, Stan purchased an initial beachfront parcel of land on Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, on which he planned to develop a 90-unit condominium resort. He acted as general contractor on The Sands at Grace Bay, using reputable construction firms and ensuring internal control over the project's timing and expenditures. The Sands opened in December 1998 and today it is one of the most successful resorts in the region with solid year-over-year revenue growth. One of two pioneering projects in the mid-1990s, many developers strive to emulate The Sands' model.

As CEO and lead partner, Stan Hartling plays a vital role in all aspects of The Hartling Group's development projects - from initial design, feasibility studies, financing and promotion, to grand openings and the ongoing operations of each project. Stan also owns and operates Hartling Reality, a licensed real estate brokerage firm in the Turks & Caicos Islands. 

Stan prides himself on building strong relationships with his partners, individual investors and his staff, as demonstrated during 16 years as a successful property developer. To ensure continued success, he has recruited a senior management team who bring a wealth of international experience in luxury hotel operation, property development and property management. The Hartling Group employs nearly 350 staff throughout its resorts and other operations. 

About the Sands at Grace Bay

The Sands at Grace Bay is a 113-room resort located on six oceanfront acres on Grace Bay Beach. This gracious, family-friendly property offers accommodations in studios and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet, all of which combine comfort-focused amenities and spectacular natural surroundings. Accommodations are distributed throughout six three-story buildings situated amid a lush garden courtyard caressed by three free-form swimming pools. 

The Sands at Grace Bay is the home of Hemingway�s Restaurant and Bar - a legendary beach-side venue and local favorite - where guests can enjoy gourmet selections and island specialties seven days a week. Spa treatments by Spa Tropique are available by appointment. Guests are also welcome to enjoy the resort�s indoor fitness center, non-motorized water sports, tennis court, and bicycles as well as complimentary WiFi in the rooms, restaurant and lobby. Conveniently located just ten minutes away, the Provo Golf Club offers guests one of the best and most challenging courses in the Caribbean. 

For reservations, call toll-free from the U.S. (877) 777-2637; from Canada (800) 567-5327; online at www.thesandstc.com or contact your travel agent.