On 8 November, SandyBlue won awards for ‘Employee of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Marketing/Branding Initiative’, firmly cementing the company as a pioneer in the villa rental industry. The event highlighted the company’s unwavering commitment to providing a personalised service and going above and beyond for their guests and owners.

Strengthening SandyBlue’s reputation was their ‘Employee of the Year’ win, which went to their Guest Services Manager, Suzi Bawden, who has made the Algarve her home for the last 22 years. It was a pleasure to speak with Suzi more about her commitment to delivering an unparalleled guest experience, where she highlighted how SandyBlue go the extra mile to keep guests and owners happy.

Suzi who has been working at SandyBlue for over 6 years, shared that her ethos focuses on delivering excellence whether you are a guest or an owner. When asked about her role she explained that it involves “looking after the guests and the owners and organising everthing so it runs as smoothly as possible. Unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go right so we work to resolve the issue in the best possible way and we are there for our clients every step of the way.”

Suzi shared “My biggest motivation is the sense of purpose I get from making a positive impact on the experiences of our guests and owners. Knowing I’ve helped create joyful memories or resolved issues effectively is incredibly rewarding. The support and camaraderie of the SandyBlue team are also invaluable—we’re a dedicated group of professionals passionate about excellence.

"Every day presents opportunities to learn, grow, and find creative solutions, keeping the work dynamic fulfilling. I’m also inspired by SandyBlue’s continued success and evolution, knowing we’re building something truly special for our guests and property owners.”

When asked about receiving this prestigious award, Suzi humbly said “It’s always nice but I am very much a behind-the-camera person. I like to celebrate what we do together as a team and I am very happy that SandyBlue has been doing so well over the last couple of years. I couldn’t do what I do without having the support of a great team behind me.” Suzi went on to give credit to the management team at SandyBlue, thanking Anastasia, Joe and Erica, whose support and knowledge has been paramount.

Suzi explained, “When I started, we had no guest services team. It is something that we have developed over the years, in order to become the dedicated department we are now. We were always there for our guests but very minimally but now we are there for our guests and owners 24/7 for whatever they may need. I think that is what sets us a part from our competitors, we realised that we are in the market where guests value a face-to-face experience and they want a personal touch.”

Creating Memorable Experiences

Suzi told The Portugal News, “Guest satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do at SandyBlue. It goes beyond simply meeting expectations—it’s about creating memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression. Whether it’s a smooth check-in, a thoughtful gesture during the stay, or prompt support when challenges arise, we want every guest to feel valued, cared for, and truly at home. For me, guest satisfaction means knowing we’ve contributed to making someone’s holiday special, which deepens their connection to SandyBlue.”

Adding, “We take pride in celebrating special moments with our guests and owners. Whether it’s a birthday or an anniversary, we love surprising them with a cake and balloons, ensuring their special moments are celebrated. These thoughtful gestures may seem small, but they leave a lasting impression. We believe that small, thoughtful touches make a big difference."

Suzi revealed that one of SandyBlue’s favourite initiatives is organising unique engagement celebrations for their guests. “One unforgettable example involved arranging a surprise photographer, a plane carrying a banner with the proposal, and party decorations to celebrate once she said yes, and luckily, she did! These moments go above and beyond standard service, creating lifelong memories. It’s this personal touch and our commitment to going the extra mile that sets us apart and ensures our guests leave with fond memories of their experience with SandyBlue.

Beyond celebrations, we’re dedicated to supporting our guests and owners through any challenges they may face.”

SandyBlue also received the award for ‘Outstanding Marketing/Branding Initiative’ for the third time in a row which showcased the company’s high quality marketing efforts and they were recognised as a runner-up in the ‘Team of the Year’ and ‘Customer Excellence’ categories, demonstrating the high standard of talent and dedication among the entire team.

These recognitions highlight the hard work and dedication of SandyBlue’s team, who bring their expertise to every aspect of property management, rentals and guest relations, ensuring that SandyBlue remains synonymous with quality and trust in the Algarve villa rental market.

For more information on how SandyBlue can help you today, please visit https://www.sandyblue.com/.

Author

Following undertaking her university degree in English with American Literature in the UK, Cristina da Costa Brookes moved back to Portugal to pursue a career in Journalism, where she has worked at The Portugal News for 3 years. Cristina’s passion lies with Arts & Culture as well as sharing all important community-related news.

Cristina da Costa Brookes