Greetings to Loving Couples Everywhere.

This final newsletter of the year provides me with the opportunity to thank you, our loyal guests, for keeping Couples Resorts in your hearts and souls, enabling us to outperform our competitors in 2009.  While it would have been unrealistic to expect 2009 to be a banner year, we’ve certainly held our own and thankfully done better than most.   

As we look to 2010 with great optimism, I would be remiss if I did not mention the passing of Couples Sans Souci’s beloved Charlie in September. Since 1951, the 100 year-old sea turtle was a fixture at Couples Sans Souci.  A memorial is being created in her honor, next to the mineral springs grotto where she once lived.

However, luckily I have some more optimistic news to report. On the coattails of the amazing honor we recently received as the highest ranking all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean by the 2009 Travel+Leisure World’s Best Awards, we are happy to announce a second prestigious award. Couples Resorts was also voted by Travel+Leisure as the Top Three Spa Resorts in the Caribbean! The only resort not making this year’s spa list was Couples Tower Isle, which we understand since our Grand Lady WAS closed most of the year, undergoing a $30 million facelift. However, we are confident that next year she will return in full force. And, the news doesn’t stop here. I’d also like to tell you about a few new and exciting initiatives that we launched this year:

• For one, we announced our popular “Fall in Love Again” promotion earlier than ever, and fortunately you still have a few weeks to take advantage of the amazing prices, which include added savings of up to 50 percent in 2010.
  
  
• Also, since we value our loyal guests so highly, we wanted give you the opportunity with our Reserve Even Earlier and Save Even More to lock in our incredible 2010 rates for your 2011 stay with us. This is a limited time offer, so don’t miss out on the great savings.
  
• And, we recently introduced our LoveAway® payment plan, which enables you to confirm your dates and rates with a deposit of only $100. And, it acts as a savings plan for your stay by adding $100 per month to your reservation account.  Hint, this could act as the ultimate surprise holiday gift for your significant other.  Simply reserve your 2010 date, sign-up for the LoveAway® payment plan and we will send you a confirmation that you can wrap-up and give to your loved one when the time is right.
  
  
• The Couplicious Wednesday Escapes (our version of a 24-hour sale), have proven to be a huge hit, and we expect to continue announcing a new special every Wednesday in 2010.
  
  
• The new Couples Beach Lounge is now open for all couples to share the love. It includes everything to romance your lover, from “Just for Two” recipes and instructions on how to create a love letter, to romance tips from the CRO and an opportunity to rate your love. For more information, check out this newsletter’s feature story.
  
  
• The biggest and best news, of course, was the reopening or our Grand Lady, Couples Tower Isle.  All I can say is WOW!  You MUST check her out via our new panoramic video views 0r come experience for yourself!

Finally, since many of you have been asking how you can become involved with the Issa Trust Foundation, Couple’s Resorts’ non-profit that helps out local Jamaican children, we decided to launch a new fundraiser. During the month of November, Couples Resorts will donate $1 to the Issa Trust Foundation for every person who becomes a fan of Couples Resorts’ Chief Romance Officer on Facebook, decides to follow Couples Resorts on Twitter (@CouplesResorts), registers as a member of the Couples Resorts Message Board, or subscribes to Couples Resorts’ YouTube channel.

Looking ahead, an exciting weekend is in store for all of you who can’t wait to participate in this year’s Ocho Rios Anniversary weekend, from January 15-17, 2010.  On January 15, Couples Sans Souci celebrates her 4th anniversary since becoming part of the Couples Resorts family. Then, on January 17, Couples Tower Isle celebrates her 32nd anniversary (BTW – the staff is PSYCHED). The celebrations wrap-up on January 18, when we hold our annual Couples Resorts Charity Golf Tournament.  Space is filling up fast, so book soon to be a part of the festivities.

We’re happy to report that early signals indicate that 2010 will be another great year for Couples Resorts.  We are blessed that you continue to entrust us to reignite the flame that first brought you two together, and we look forward to welcoming all of you home again soon.

Luv n Life,

Randy L. Russell
Chief Romance Officer ®
Couples Resorts