Sandals Emerald Bay: A nice Resort but could use some improvements

We recently returned from a 2 week vacation at Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma. A nice vacation, there were many excellent things about the resort but also there are some things that could definitely be improved upon. We have rated this resort a 4, but really would have given it a 3.5 if possible. This is our 6th trip to Sandals (all different We recently returned from a 2 week vacation at Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma. A nice vacation, there were many excellent things about the resort but a [... read more]lso there are some things that could definitely be improved upon. We have rated this resort a 4, but really would have given it a 3.5 if possible. This is our 6th trip to Sandals (all different resorts) and this one is just average, definitely not at the top of the list. First the good things: Arrival – the airport is very small, which is great – you are out of the airport within 20 minutes of landing where you are met just outside the doors by Sandals staff, and then taken by taxi to the resort – only about a 10 minute drive. The beach – it is fabulous, probably the nicest beach we have seen – with great sand and beautiful turquoise water. Also we saw some “angel fish” right near shore, and if you were near them, they would follow you along in the water – really cool. The golf course is very nice – the views from the back nine, right along the ocean are amazing – we played in the Thursday afternoon golf scramble and had lots of fun, but even if you don’t play at all, make sure you walk the back nine. Sunrise – do not miss the sunrise – what a sight, the sun comes up right over the water. Excursions – we did the Ocean Safari (swimming with the pigs) tour, it was one of the best excursions we have ever done – Justin and his crew of 1 were great, very knowledgeable and his boat was very nice. The swimming with the pigs was fun as well as seeing and feeding the iguanas on another island. He also took us to a few other small islands to show us different things and let us roam the beautiful little beaches on each of them. The reading road trip is always a highlight for us, where you can go to one of the schools and help out the children for an hour. This time the trip was to a primary school where we read to the grade primary to 3s and then they read to us. This trip is not really well known by the guests but definitely an enriching experience. Take school supplies with you if possible, you can find a list of items needed at “Pack for a Purpose” on the internet. Entertainment – we really enjoyed the nightly entertainment – the sax player is amazing, the Junkanoo party is lots of fun. Heston made the piano bar a great way for us to end the evenings – he is not only a good piano player but an amazing entertainer – with the right crowd the piano bar is lots of fun. The entertainment crew is great too, with many different games organized for people who want to participate in them. Leslie and Kristell were especially good on the entertainment crew. Massage – we had a couples massage and it was definitely worth it – very professional and well done. The grounds are well kept and nice, but not spectacular. Now for things that could be improved: Restaurants – We had looked at the restaurants menus before we left and decided to eat at Bahama bay the first night. However when we went into this restaurant the first night (Sunday) we discovered that it was buffet that night and in asking found out that it was buffet every Sunday night. We next decided to go there on Thurs evening and again found a buffet evening meal (which was not very good), in asking the staff about it they seemed surprised that it was a buffet as well. With reservations at other restaurants as well as the Junkanoo party and returning guest dinner, we didn’t get back to Bahama Bay in the evening until the following Thurs – to find another evening buffet even though their a la carte menu was displayed in the case outside the front door. We left this time to go to Barefoot where we had a nice meal. We checked over the restaurant schedules and found that no where did it say there were buffets in the evening at Bahama Bay. We do not go to Sandals for evening buffet meals and believe that a resort with the high reputation of Sandals should not have any evening buffets – but if they do make sure it is well “advertised”. The other meals were good to very good on the whole – we had very good meals at the French and Italian restaurants as well as Barefoot, but also had just average meals at them as well. Overall food was not as good as the other Sandals we had been to. Housekeeping – some days good and others not so good when we were there – our room needed a better cleaning from the last guests staying in the room, as there was an empty coffee cup and garbage under the bureau and bed. We had to call 4 different times to get towels, soap, or something. Each time they were promptly delivered, but really we should not be out of bath towels, washcloths, or soap and have to call for more – especially since housekeeping had been in for the day. Allergies -- some of the staff at the restaurants were very good about allergies (kiwi for us), and others didn’t seem to understand the seriousness of an anaphylactic allergy. We have since heard to make sure that you talk to Dwayne if you have allergies – unfortunately we didn’t know that when we arrived. Staff – The staff were friendly and we met some outstanding staff members at this resort, but also many who seemed to be just going through the motions and definitely could use more training. Overall we had a great vacation at a nice resort but it was not up to all of the standards of some of the other Sandals resorts we have visited. There were some standouts among the staff -- Leslie and Kristell in entertainment, Heston at the piano bar, Dia, Lashan, and Rose at the Bahama Bay restaurant, Brittany at the Barefoot restaurant, the personal trainer in the gym. definitely could use more training.

Sandals Emerald Bay: A truly wonderful vacation !!!

Our stay at Emerald Bay was amazing!!!! From the moment you first drive up to the resort and see the beautiful grounds, pools and ocean, it takes your breath away. Duvann and his grounds crew take great pride in the resort- it is spectacular. Our butlers Trevor and Alvin did everything they could to make our stay stress free and relaxed. They even had a few wonderful surprises!!! Our suite was spacious and had everything you could want. Our housekeeper Elean, did an excellent job keeping our roo [... read more]m spotless. She takes personal pride in her work. The restaurants were amazing, especially the French and Italian. Breakfasts at the Bahama Bay were always delicious and we looked forward to the daily" theme buffet" as well. We enjoyed our afternoon treats at the Cafe. The beach and ocean were amazing!!! We really enjoyed the quiet pool where you could have quiet chats, read or have a nap. The staff made us feel like we were very special and did whatever they could to make our stay wonderful. The Soon Come Back evening was wonderful !!!! We loved our stay at Emerald Bay and look forward to going back again.

Sandals Emerald Bay: A good break from the snow

First of all we have to say that the staff at this resort are wonderful, so friendly and helpful, always smiling. The grounds to this resort are beautiful, and well kept. the ocean is the most wonderful deep azure blue. There are two pool areas one large one with music playing and a swim up bar, its the upbeat area, and another called the quiet pool where you can relax and reade and chill out, we enjoyed both. Our room was very clean and spacious, some of the furniture was a little worn and date [... read more]d but fine. The food on the whole was very disappointing, we were there for seven days and we could only say we truly enjoyed two meals, (not counting breakfasts which were good especially the omlettes made to order) The menus sound tantalizing, but the food does not measure up. The tropical drinks are fun to try, and the wines were good also. We golfed twice and enjoyed the course, our first day playing there was very strong winds, and on the back nine at the ocean side it made it very difficult, but we did enjoy it. We rented our clubs. There are two main restaurants where you have to make a reservation and dress up, they are an Italian and a French Iff you are still sitting in the Italian restaurant at 9:00pm there is a piano player who does a sing along with the people in the bar, and it is through an opening, no doors,on the other side of the wall of the restaurant, they are all singing as loud as they can, and whooping after each song, and that is all you can hear while you are eating, they need to move the venue or install thick doors to muffle the sound. So if you want to hear the likes of Andrea Bocelli or Paverotti as delightful background music to your meal make sure you eat and finish before 9:00pm. which cuts short your evening some what. We had one good meal out of three at the Italian The French restaurant plays good french music while dining and has a nice ambiance, we had one good meal here out of two. The food at the seafood restaurant on the beach was ok not memorable, and if it was windy,which it was, you couldn't sit there because you were blasted with sand. You also got bitten by the sand fleas while sitting there

Sandals Emerald Bay: Fabulous Resort

Had a fantastic time. Felt out of place the first day as we were treated like Royalty. Food was exceptional, gardens were beautiful. Rooms were well maintained and very clean. Beach was huge, clean, water was a nice blue/green color and warm.