Sandals Exuma is Open

Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas opened its doors to guests on February 10, 2010 as a member of the Luxury included brand. The 365 unspoiled out islands of the Exumas are considered to be the French Riviera of the Caribbean with their calm aquamarine bays and beautiful beaches just 130 miles southeast of Nassau.
This property which previously operated as the award-winning Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay, a favourite of trendsetters from around the world. Sandals has spent 14 million dollars on enhancements and upgrades on this property. It is now the 14th Sandals Resort in the Caribbean and the second in the Bahamas. This 500-acre sprawling island retreat is located on a mile-long crescent shaped beach. Highlights of the resort include a par 72 Greg Norman designed gold course, a 16,000 square foot spa, a world-class marina, and professionally trained butlers in all 183 beachfront rooms and suites. There are two pools with oceanfront views including the spectacular half-acre, zero entry infinity pool with its serpentine swim-up bar. It offers gourmet dining in a choice of five a la carte restaurants, premium brands wine and spirits, anytime snacks, land and water sports, five bars including a swim-up pool and chic piano bar, gratuities, and even airport transfers.

This resort is ideal for those couples planning a destination wedding, a honeymoon or simply a romantic getaway.

Article copied from Del Sol travel blog.  Photos by Linda @ Totem Travel

Advertisement for Sandals @ Emerald Bay

Unfolding like a grand estate, Sandals Emerald Bay is a 500-acre resort set along a one-mile stretch of white-sand beach on Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. This all butler-service resort offers a selection of 183 magnificently-appointed, luxury accommodations with styles that range from beachfront villas to charming bay house settings. Unique to the Great Exuma property is a stunning 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, reputed to be among the best in the Caribbean as well as the 17-acre Marina Emerald Bay, the first-ever marina at any Sandals Resort. Resort Highlights: Two pools, including a one acre infinity entrance pool Five world-class restaurants Five bars, including a swim-up pool bar and piano bar Red Lane® Dermalogica® Concept Spa with 17 indoor treatment areas and 6 outdoor sanctuaries 13,000 square feet of meeting space A marina with 150 slips that can accommodate yachts of up to 240 ft. in length 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course** Sandals Vacations2go Sandals Emerald Bay Is A 500 Acre Resort G-o.cc

Tour operated by Travel Impressions. Sandals save up to 65% offer valid on 3-night minimum stays for bookings made by 3/25/10 for travel between now – 12/28/11. Offer is combinable with free night promotion; however, it is not combinable with other consumer savings promotions. Sandals free night offer is valid on all suite categories for bookings made by 3/25/10 for travel between now – 12/28/11 and requires a 7-night minimum stay. Offers are combinable with Sandals Select Points where applicable, but may not be applicable for group bookings. *Roundtrip airport/resort transfer included only from Exuma International Airport George Town – GGT. **Greens fees available at an additional cost. †Administrative fee for resort scuba certification not included. ††Spa services are additional. Blackout, weekend, holiday peak season surcharges apply. Promotions are accurate at time of publication and are subject to changes, exceptions, cancellation charges and restrictions. Valid for new bookings only.

Sandals at Emerald Bay Exuma

The Honorable Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals & Beaches all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, does it again! His transformation of the Four Seasons Resort in Great Exuma, Bahamas into the new Sandals Emerald Bay is nothing short of spectacular! After investing 17.5 million into this Caribbean gem, it truly deserves the Sandals name.

The resort atmosphere is warm and inviting at every turn. From the beautifully manicured grounds, to the 5 gourmet dining options, this stunning adults-only all-inclusive resort is sure to please even the most discerning traveler.

Sandals Emerald Bay holds a prime beachfront location situated on one of the most amazing beaches I have ever seen. The sand is a soft, powder white that stretches well beyond the resort itself with views of the ever changing Bahamian blue/green waters. A spotted eagle ray even swam in the shallow waters right off shore as we walked along. There are 2 pools – a quiet pool set back beneath swaying palms and the larger main pool which is lined with yellow and white striped cabanas under which you can relax in the comfortable chaise loungers after a day in the warm sun.

The food is all gourmet at your choice of 5 unique Restaurants- Il Cielo, Bahama Bay, Barefoot by the Sea, Dino’s Pizzeria, and the Drunken Duck Pub where the chicken “pot pie” was to die for! All the rooms are suites with Butler Service, and if you can afford one of the Beachfront Villas, you will not be disappointed! From the Greg Norman designed 18-hole golf course, to the incredible fishing opportunities just moments away, you can stay and play at Sandals Emerald Bay where your memories will last a lifetime!

from: GoGo Worldwide Vacations

Sandals in Exuma

Sandals premiers a new level of luxury with the introduction of the world’s first and only All-Butler Resort – Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas.  This magnificent resort with its sublime style and refined panache brings privileged seclusion to the Exumas.

Connoisseurs of the good life will find oceanfront, butler-serviced suites and villas filled with unabashed indulgences.  Your butler can help you pack and unpack, take room service orders and ensure you have all your need throughout your stay.

Devotees of world-class pleasures will discover a championship Greg Norman designed golf course, a 16,000 sq ft. Red Lane Spa, a pro-grade tennis center, a half-acre, zero entry infinity pool with swim up bar, a 17 acre marina and five bars and five exquisite new palate-pleasing restaurants.

The resort is all-inclusive, so you have no out of pocket expenses unless you want do some shopping, a spa treatment, purchase a bottle from the Chairman’s Wine Selection or take an optional tour of the area.  Don’t worry about staying connected. Most public areas have Wi-Fi. Most rooms have internet as well for an extra charge.

Sandals Build Local Relationships in Exuma

Sandals at Emerald Bay is opening new opportunities for Exuma’s farmers and artisans.

The resort has agreed to purchase Exuma-grown produce and has arranged a weekly cultural outing for its guests at the local Fish Fry.

“We want our guests to experience Bahamian food and culture,” said general manager, John Keating. “So we have arranged with the local Fish Fry to go down on a Wednesday night.

“At the Fish Fry they can eat local Bahamian food prepared by local Bahamian chefs along with some entertainment, music, dancing. We think that would be very fruitful. We think our guests will get a true taste of The Bahamas while they are here.”

The vendors have been “very co-operative” in any changes that had to be made to facilitate the venture, he said. “We are looking forward to a very strong relationship with them.”

Sandals general manager, John Keating (right) takes BAIC executive chairman, Edison M Key (left) and his team on a tour of the resort property on Exuma. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

Thanks to Sandals, Air Canada is making weekly flights to Exuma. The next flight is booked full, said Mr Keating.

“Within the five months we have been here, we have re-employed a lot of people who worked formerly for the Four Seasons and they are settling down very, very well,” he said. “They can see the place is getting busy. The relationship locally is getting better every day.”

Sandals has also adopted Exuma’s Livingstone N Coakley High School.

Exuma used to be the onion capital of the Bahamas. Wesley Lien of Kermit Rolle’s Farm shows what can be produced. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

“We are going to work with them through the Sandals Foundation which always works well in the local community. So we are very happy to be involved with that.”

Mr Keating hosted Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) chairman, Edison M Key and a team on Tuesday.

Accompanying Mr Key were BAIC general manager, Benjamin Rahming; assistant general manager (agriculture), Arnold Dorsett and assistant general manager (handicraft), Donnalee Bowe.

Exuma and Ragged Islands administrator, Ivan Ferguson; domestic investment officer, Everette Hart; Farmers Association president, Althea Ferguson; handicraft association president Isidora Lloyd, and their associates received the delegation from Nassau.

BAIC was in Exuma to inspect land being prepared for farmers and to meet with persons interested in food production.

slideshow here BAIC is helping Exuma farmers with half the cost of land preparation. Executive chairman Edison M Key (second right) inspected the work on Tuesday. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston)

“We have made available some funding for farmers whereby we pay half the cost of the land clearing,” he said. “I am pleased with what I have seen.

“I see some progress with the farmers. There has been increased production in onions, tomatoes, cabbages, potatoes and other products.

“And the meeting with Sandals was very, very encouraging. They have agreed to purchase from local farmers.

“The connection between the farmers and the hotel will go a long way in eliminating farmers’ dependency on the packing house and the produce exchange in Nassau.”

BAIC is planning to erect accommodations for farmers and artisans at the Fish Fry.

“This is excellent news for farmers here,” said association president, Mrs Ferguson. “We appreciate all that Sandals on Exuma is doing for us. We hope, soon, to be an asset to them.”

Veteran farmer Kermit Rolle (left) puts his case to BAIC executive chairman Edison, M Key during a visit on Tuesday. Also pictured are general manager Benjamin, Rahming (right) and assistant general manager (agriculture), Arnold Dorsett. (BIS photo/Gladstone Thurston) Copied from the TheBahamasweekly.com

Sandals at Emerald Bay raises the bar.

It now seems that the bar for great luxury resorts in the Bahamas has been increased several notches thanks to the official grand opening of the Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma. This new resort, which is set on one of the most beautiful parts of the Bahamas, the Out Isands, is now the 14^th Sandals resort in the Caribbean. It is also the first to offer a Greg Norman designed golf course.

Gordon Butch Stewart, the chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts, said that this is a very exciting moment in the history of Sandals. He went on to say that for years they have been committed to providing the very best luxury experience in the Caribbean. Now with the grand opening of this latest resort, it further proves their dedication to exceeding their guests expectations.

The chairman went on to add that Sandals Emerald Bay sits on one of the most spectacular beaches in the whole region. They are thrilled to be able to share this piece of paradise with everyone. He noted that all of the staff looks forward to welcoming new and returning Sandals Resorts guests for years to come.
This resort, which use to be a former Four Seasons resort, was bought by Sandals in the summer of 2009. Now, following an extensive renovation, the Sandals Emerald Bay represents an expansion of the company’s luxury concept. Sandals Emerald Bay offers gourmet dining in a choice of five a la carte restaurants. An exclusive 16,000 sq. ft Red Lane Spa is also available to guests that stay in this Sandals Emerald Bay resort.

Sandals at Emerald Bay, Exuma

Sandals Emerald Bay,the world’s first all butler, all oceanfront resort, is a 500-acre resort set along a one-mile stretch of white sand beach on Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. One hundred and eighty-three elegantly appointed oceanfront rooms, suites, and beachfront villas unfold in three distinctive “village” areas: The Seaside Villas, Emerald Bay Village and Ocean Village.For each guest, every detail is handled with unobtrusive grace by butlers trained to the exacting standards of the Guild of Professional English Butlers. Unique to the Great Exuma property is a stunning 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course,named “The Best Golf Course in the Caribbean.” by Travel and Leisure.

• 183 oceanfront rooms, suites & villas
• All rooms include exclusive butler service
• Set on a pristine, one-mile crescent shaped beach
• 18-hole Greg Norman designed championship golf course
• 3 impressive pools including a half-acre zero entry pool
• Unlimited gourmet dining at 5 restaurants
• 24-hour room service in all room categories
• Unlimited premium brand drinks and Beringer® wines
• 7 full-service bars including swim-up pool bar and piano bar
• Red Lane® Concept Spa with Dermalogica® treatments
• Unlimited land and water sports including scuba diving
• Conference center with meeting rooms up to 5,000 sq. ft.
• 150-slip deepwater marina

copied from Caribbeandestinations.wordpress.com

Sandals in Exuma

From the Sandals website: “Civilized pleasures go hand in hand with exotic adventures along a mile-long crescent shaped beach. Highlights include a par 72 Greg Norman designed golf course, a 16,000 sq. ft. spa, a deepwater marina and five superb restaurants. Sandals Emerald Bay is your own exotic private escape, so easy to get to… so close to home.”

Emerald Bay Marina

The 150-slip marina at Emerald Bay in the Exumas reopened November 10 as part of the new Sandals Emerald Bay Resort. Sandals bought the property from the Four Seasons last April and has been repurposing the property with $15 million in upgrades. While the entire resort won’t open until January 22, Island Routes Luxury Adventure Tours, which will manage the marina and adjacent Greg Norman-designed golf course for Sandals, chose to ready the marina before the holidays. Berths include electricity (30/50/100 amp), fresh water, sewage pumpout, and fuel (gas, diesel). Slip rates begin at $2.25 per foot, discounted for long-term stays. For reservations and inquiries visit marinaatemeraldbay.com, or call at 242-336-6100

The Marina at Emerald Bay, a deep-water megayacht facility, has a 120 ft. entrance, 14ft. depth MLW, 800 ft. breakwater approach and is a 24-hour port of entry with notification for customs and immigration. In phase two, a dry storage area for boats up to 40 ft., high-end provisioning market and a crew area with internet will be available. The Marina at Emerald Bay provides the modern conveniences essential to the yachting community and will become a gathering place for yachtsmen, sports fishermen and social members.

Sandals Resort in the Community

Quote from Gordon “Butch” Stewart, founder of Sandals Resorts. Taken from the Exuma Breeze newspaper:

“We recognise that a world exists outside of Sandals and we are pleased to say that we have a long tradition of successful community partnerships. I fell in love with Exuma many years ago: the relaxed atmosphere of Chat and Chill, the tradition of Peace and Plenty and of course the Bahamian people are just some of the many reasons why. The peaceful way of life and the low crime on Great Exuma make it perfect for our guests and we can’t wait to introduce them to the island and be part of it ourselves through our tours as well as the Sandals Foundation.

In the coming months we will be launching the Sandals Foundation right here in Great Exuma and with it comes a number of different initiatives aimed at bettering the community”