Professionals and co-workers who spent the last year makingclients feel better, younger, prettier, more handsome or more alive were themselves treated like royalty when Mandara Spa hosted a Christmas party for more than 200 staff members this week.

Awards were presented to top performers.

The event was studded with accolades and thank you expressions: "It is because of you that Mandara Spa at Atlantis and The Spa at the Ocean Club have received international recognition, compliments from resort guests and positive reports from serious reviewers," Youlanda Deveaux, Regional Vice President Mandara Spa (Bahamas) Ltd. told her team health, beauty consultants. Continuing, she said: "It is because of you that people have said they have had the best spa experience of their lives here. Well tonight is your night and this is our way of saying thank you."

Mandara took over the popular harbourside hot spot Senor Frog's for the December 11 holiday bash.

While Junior Junkanooers paraded along Bay Street, Mandara employees were the restaurant at the northern end of the British

Colonial Hilton property celebrating in style -- champagne flowed, endless, food appeared and music played. But for many of them, the party was background to the main event - the awards presentation. They had been competing all year for the spa's annual top performance awards.

"I am delighted to announce that this year's Employee of the Year [for] 2003: For Mandara Spa at Atlantis is Allison Butler," declared Ms. Deveaux. "And Employee of the Year [for] 2003 for the Ocean Club Spa is Lutricia Lamm." Both recipients won gift baskets and a check for $500.

Numerous other awards were also presented. Two employees were honoured twice; Navone Lightbourne for Highest Retail Achiever in 2003 and the Award of Excellence at Ocean Club Spa, and Bridgette Barry, Highest Retail Achiever and Mentoring and Teamwork Award of Excellence, Mandara Spa at Atlantis

The Regional Vice President's Inspirational Award went to Anuscha Baker; Grooming and Personal Appearance Award, Perez Clarke, and Jermaine Mitchell for Mandara at Atlantis, and Corean Bowles for the Ocean Club, Mentoring and Teamwork Award, Ocean Club Spa Mikeva Humes and Anishka Hutchinson, Award of Excellence, Mandara Spa at Atlantis. The Best Service Skills Awards went to Andrew Pennerman for Atlantis and Rochelle Woodside for the Ocean Club Spa.

Among its many honours, the Ocean Club Spa was the only spa in The Bahamas or the Caribbean listed as one of the World's 100 Best Spas in 2002, by there viewer who every other year publishes what is considered the bible of the spa industry. Mandara has been featured in numerous magazines and newspaper articles around the world.

Caption: What a night - More than 200 people showed up for the holiday bash when Mandara Spa thanked staff members by treating them the way they treat clients all year - like royalty. The party, held at Senor Frog's December11, provided a colourful, musical background for an awards ceremony. Pictured l to r, Youlanda Deveaux, Regional Vice President, Mandara Spa (Bahamas) Limited; Christine Hays; Spa Director, Ocean Club Spa; recipient Navone Lightbourne, Highest Retail Achiever for 2003 and Award of Excellence, Ocean Club Spa; Lutricia Lamm; Employee of the Year for 2003 at the Ocean Club Spa; Bridgette Barry, Highest Retail Achiever for 2003 and Mentoring, Teamwork Award of Excellence, Mandara Spa at the Atlantis; Anischa Baker;

Regional Vice President's Inspirational Award; Jermaine Mitchell; Grooming and Personal Appearance Award, Mikeva Humes; Mentoring & Teamwork Award of Excellence, Ocean Club Spa, Allison Butler, Employee of the Year for 2003 Mandara Spa at Atlantis; Anishka Hutchinson, Award of Excellence, Mandara Spa at Atlantis. Back row, Pia Rolle, Spa Manager and Tony Hosey, Fitness Centre Manager.

Posted: Friday January 9, 2004