Bahamas Perfected

Sandals Emerald Bay raises the nearly

perfect standard of Bahamian hospitality

The signature one-acre pool  matches the color of the blue Bahamian ocean. In the foreground is one of the hot-tubs that are part of the pool.

For years, the Bahamas have been a cherished getaway; the islands’ beautiful blue water washing up on pristine white beaches, drawing people to its shores. The Out Islands, those away from New Providence and Grand Bahama, have always held a mystique, being unspoiled and unique, places to get away from who or what ails you.
As people traveled more and more, less and less places had that feel to them. The Exuma archipelago, however, has kept that end-of-the-road feeling. Great Exuma exudes an existentialist draw; it seems to call out. “Come on down, mon.” Sandals Resorts opened its newest resort at Emerald Bay on Great Exuma island in February. Completely refurbishing this former Four Seasons property, it’s a resort that superbly blends Out Island allure with the civilized adventure associated with Sandals. What can be more civilized than a photo shoot for the 24th annual Southern Boating swimsuit issue? Friendly voices, that marvelous accent, and smiling Bahamian faces greeted us as we arrived and continued to delight us throughout the three-day shooting schedule.

Clockwise from top left: An afternoon beach setting for two. An aerial view of the 13th green and the five tees of the 14th hole. Each hole has five tees, allowing golfers to choose the degree of difficulty.  Arranged by the butler, a table for two awaits a lucky couple, who will enjoy dinner at water’s edge. Ocean Village rooms and suites offer ocean views as well as a half-acre zero-entry pool surrounded by stunning gardens.

Sandals Emerald Bay is an all-butler resort. That means that all guests, no matter which accommodations they select (one bedroom suites to beach front villas), enjoy butler service. That is a privilege you don’t realize how much you need until you’ve had it.
All butlers are trained in a two-year course by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, so currently the butlers are from elsewhere as the Bahamian butlers-to-be are all still in training. At check-in, your butler escorts you to your room, pointing out restaurants and areas of interest on the way. One of the things he’ll make you aware of is the mobile phone with which you can ring him, or another butler, 24/7. There will always be someone to see to it that “your needs are met and expectations exceeded.”
Other than the butlers and spa therapists, who are allowed to accept tips, your money is no good in this all-inclusive resort. All of your drinks, meals and water sports, as well as daily activities are included in the price. Water sports include: sailing, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Anyone who holds a NAUI or PADI card can dive twice a day. If you wish, you can get certified at Sandals or just settle for a resort certification. Having a sizeable portion of the world’s clearest water and shallow depths the snorkeling is pretty cool, and no certification is required for that. In addition to off-site trips, such as: 007 Thunderball Adventure tour or the six-hour Castaway Getaway, options are golf or spa treatments. For those in search of indulgence instead of exertion, the 16,000-square-foot Red Lane Spa at Emerald Bay features three double massage rooms with Jacuzzi tubs.
The par 72 Greg Norman-designed links course is one of the most challenging anywhere, and easily one of the most breathtaking, too. “It’s a real ball eater,” says resident Golf Pro, Bryan Harris, of his charge. Still, he is enthusiastic about the course that is so pretty that couples often prefer to marry on one of the ocean side tees or greens on the back nine, instead of under the wedding gazebo near the zen pool.
Sandals’ one-acre pool is so much more than just a place to cool off. Surrounded by Cabanas, grab a vacant one and make yourself at home. If you want to plan ahead, a cabana can be reserved. No need to try to figure out how; just call your butler, he’ll have it set up however you please. One edge of the pool is a hot tub shaped like a crescent moon, my favorite. The rest of the pool is zero entry. Take advantage of the shade and refreshments at the swim-up bar.
With five restaurants and room service available at any time, you won’t go hungry.
Choose from the Tuscan-themed Il Cielo or the more relaxed atmosphere of the Drunken Duck Pub. Manufactured in the United Kingdom, the pub was brought to Sandals and assembled on site. Bahama Bay features buffet-style meals and inside Dino’s Pizzeria serves from a wood fired oven. A few of us lunched at Barefoot by the Sea, enjoying alfresco dining under a thatched roof hut. Our tuna melts were served up with French fries and a fresh Bahamian breeze, they were delicious. Those of us not trying to fit into bikinis strolled on over to take advantage of Bahama Bay’s dessert buffet. (One of the benefits of the inclusive concept is that you can sample from each restaurant.)
Cruisers will enjoy the Marina at Emerald Bay, where 150 slips accommodate yachts from 35 feet to 240 feet on Bellingham floating concrete docks. The shore facilities are yacht club quality and include wi-fi, a games room, and flat screen televisions. Cruisers who stop here can purchase a day and/or night pass to the resort for access to the facility and all of the activities.
Sandals Emerald Bay turned out to be the perfect place for a photo shoot. Being a boating magazine, we always allow room for serendipity, this time we may have discovered the next top model. She was a guest at Sandals who was a natural, looked great in a swimsuit and wanted to be in our pictures. See if you can guess which one she is, then get her complete story at southernboating.com.