By Mark Rogers
Sandals made a splash last year when they opened Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. The resort recently marked its first anniversary with the completion of a million-dollar renovation project to its Greg Norman-designed golf course; upgrades to the resort’s gourmet dining options; and the addition of 62 luxurious rooms and suites, for a total of 245 beachfront rooms and suites.
Sandals purchased the former Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay in 2009 and quickly set to Sandalizing the property, which occupies a stunning, one-mile-long stretch of beach on Great Exuma. A major addition was a new pool. Sandals took the existing Four Seasons’ pool and  transformed it into a much larger pool with two Jacuzzis, a fire-pit seating area in the center, a swim-up bar and the signature Sandals tower. There is also a quieter pool area with a Jacuzzi that stays open 24 hours.
Sandals Grande Emerald Bay has proved to be a big hit with travel agents. “Sandals Emerald Bay is five-star quality,” says Tammy Renie, owner of Red Parrot Travel, Orlando. ““Exuma is an unbelievably beautiful island and the people are so friendly. The water is a breathtaking blue and the beaches are powder white sand – so fine and clean.”
“This is my favorite of the Sandals properties,” says Barbara May, owner of Travel Leaders in Memphis, TN. In fact, when interviewed, Barbara had two clients enjoying a vacation at Sandals Emerald Bay. “The service is excellent, part butler and part concierge. And while the atmosphere isn’t party central, guests really have a great time. It’s more of a relaxing overall experience.”
The 500-acre luxury resort has seven restaurants. The resort’s newest culinary venue is French restaurant, La Parisienne, which debuted last July. The brasserie serves familiar French comfort food with a gourmet twist, as well as favorites such as Quiche Lorraine, Salad Niçoise and Crêpes Suzette.
 “Barefoot by the Sea is a great option for an informal lunch,” advises Barbara. “And if the weather is hot, the air-conditioned Bahama Bay restaurant has one of the best buffets I’ve seen. There’s also a great authentic recreation of an English pub called the Drunken Duck, which is actually managed by a woman from England.”
Two of the features at the resort that really impress Barbara are the Red Lane Spa and the Greg Norman golf course. “I tell my clients that even if they aren’t golfers, they should take a golf cart and tour the course – it’s breathtaking,” says Barbara.
The recently updated Greg Norman-designed Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club is an environmentally-friendly, 18-hole, 7,001-yard, par-72 championship course with stunning oceanside holes. Golfer intent on improving their game will want to know about the week-long Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy being offered at the resort December 1– 8. Four PGA Certified Golf Professionals will be on hand to teach three, two and single day golf programs to enthusiasts of all skill levels. Program components include swing analysis, V-1 computer and video analysis. The one-day program costs $500; the two-day program costs $1,050; and the three-day program costs $1,600.
The resort’s 29,000 square feet Red Lane Spa has 17 indoor treatment rooms and six outdoor sanctuaries offering a variety of treatments such as massages, body scrubs, facials, wraps and specialized packages for couples. The spa’s signature treatments include the West Indian Massage, which combines a full-body massage with island elements like smooth river stones and a white-sand exfoliation; and the invigorating Java Jive Scrub, using natural roasted coffee beans from the Jamaican Blue Mountains.
This summer Sandals Grande Emerald Bay debuted four new suite categories which, along with additional rooms in multiple other categories, make for a total of 245 rooms throughout the property.
Located in the Seaside Village, the new suites include the Colossal Penthouse Constellation Suite, a spacious suite with sweeping views overlooking the beach; Colossal Beachfront Walkout Constellation Suite, featuring a separate living area and direct access to the beach via the private outdoor patio; Coco Plum Penthouse Grande Luxe Beachfront Suite, an oversized room with four poster bed, modern décor with silver and blue accents and great views; and Coco Plum Grande Luxe Beachfront Walkout Suite, a grand room with mahogany furnishings and large patio complete with beach access. The new suites also feature butler service, courtesy of Sandals Resorts’ exclusive partnership with the Guild of Professional English Butlers.
“I have one customer who always asks to be booked into one of the Oceanfront Villas,” says Barbara. “They’re right on the beach and he loves to walk out on his terrace and step right onto the sand.”
www.sandals.com |
