by Douglas Gordon

I think if they put a wooden shack up on the site of this, the newest property in the Sandals chain, that it would be hard to go wrong. Well perhaps that’s an exaggeration but truth be told it is really quite hard not to break out into a wide grin when you leave the absolutely gorgeous lobby, stroll past the massive signature pool and venture on to the white sand beaches and into the turquoise waters border this resort. I mean seriously, notwithstanding whatever realities await you back at home, the mere fact that you could find yourself in this place means that something must be A-Ok in life.

It was a rather chilly weekend when I took the 90 minute flight from Fort Lauderdale airport to the dot of an airport that awaits you in the Exumas. The airport is beyond quaint and having passed through the roughly 400 sq feet that took me from arrivals to immigration to baggage claim and through customs I was whisked off to Sandals Emerald Bay. This the latest in the Caribbean resort chain, it is remarkable to think that this homegrown, Caribbean brand was taking over a property that no lesser than the Four Seasons had tried and failed to make a success. So what precisely is “wrong” with the property one may ask? With something like US$15 Million in renovations since they took over, well exactly nothing as far as my eyes could see. From the exquisitely appointed lobby (and it really is beautiful) to the charming , cozyy and authentic English Pub (actually I believe it was Irish) as in built, disassembled and transported from the UK…..and then reassembled by the same crew that built it on site, little or no expense has been spared in getting this property Sandals-ized.

I can well imagine some arrogant Four Seasons stalwarts indignant that this property is now part of the chain who’s tagline boasts “luxury-included” but the truth is from the attentive butlers (the entire resort is butler only), to the charismatic maitre’d at the signature Il Cielo (he’s extremely personable and very very good) restaurant to a decor that boasts muted colours, luxurious woods and finishes and incredibly comfortable beds they really have spared little expense in the decor and outfitting.

To read more about Sandals Emerald Bay logon to: http://oceanstylemagazine.blogspot.com