Sandals Emerald Bay

Exuma Islands, Bahamas

Our girls were happily enjoying sleepaway camp and we finally felt comfortable going on an adult vacation.  After all, why should kids have all the fun? Our close friends (who also had their girls at the same camp) joined us and we had our own version of grownup camp.  We could not have picked a better place to relax and have fun than Sandals Emerald Bay on Exuma Island, Bahamas.

Where do you fly in to?

We flew in to Exuma International Airport

Click here to find an amazing flight.

Look at how gorgeous the island is from the plane!

Check-in

Check-in was a bit of a hassle because they took about 2 hours longer than they said it would but we were lounging in the pool with a frozen drink, sunshine, and gorgeous views so we didn’t mind.  You may want to pack your bathing suit where it is accessible in case you have to wait.

Let me show you around our suite.

We stayed in room 9209, a

Beachfront Honeymoon Butler Villa Suite

The 1410 sq ft room has a tropical vibe created by the mahogany furnishings, sand colored natural stone floors, and blue accents that match the sea.

Our room was on the second floor so it had an unobstructed view of the water. Just look at this amazing view!

Our private balcony had 2 chairs and a glass table.  It was the perfect place to enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails in the late afternoon.

The room had a refrigerator that was stocked with cold water, sodas, juice, and white wine. They also provided red wine and select liquor that was refilled throughout the week.  It was nice to be able to open a bottle of wine or champagne and enjoy it on our balcony before dinner.

Our bathroom had a huge walk-in shower and soaking tub.

Let me show you around the resort…

First stop is the beach

Our suite was steps away from the beach.  This path took us to one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen!

This is the main reason you’ll want to pack your bags and head to Exuma Island.  The water is a stunning green color…which is where they got the name Emerald Bay.

There is a fun swing that you can sit at and look out into the water.

And some hammocks where you can lie back, listen to the waves, and feel the breeze as you relax.

Along the beach are comfortable lounge chairs with tiki umbrellas over them to give you some shade.

The pristine beach is a mile-long stretch of powder white sand that feels incredible on your feet. There were never many people on the beach and there were no venders. It is your own piece of paradise.

You’ve got to see this pool!

There are 2 pools at the resort but the main pool is where all the action is.  There is a swim-up bar with lots of delicious frozen drinks.  There are also lots of pool floats that guests can use.  Music plays all day and there is a happy, Caribbean vibe to it.

The pool looks beautiful as the sun begins to set.

And at night it takes on a fun, colorful feel.

There was also a quiet pool, but we didn’t use it since we loved hoe lively the main pool was and it was closer to our rooms.

There are so many fun things to do around the resort.  Here are just a few…

Water Sports

Every water sport imaginable is included along with top-of-the-line equipment and professional instruction. Sandals includes a full range of water sports like:

KAYAKS

WINDSURFING

SNORKELING

SAILBOATS

PADDLE BOARDS

Land Activities

From the sands to the courts, Sandals includes unlimited land sports so there are no limits to what you can play:

HORSESHOES

LAWN CHESS

CROQUET

BOCCE BALL

DAY & NIGHT TENNIS

BOARD GAMES

POOL TABLES

SHUFFLEBOARD

Red Lane Spa

My friend and I had a lovely morning at the spa having amazing massages.  We chose to do the Himalayan Salt Stone Massage.  No rush to head out after your treatment because after your massage, you can relax in the secluded gardens of the spa using their plunge pools.

Emerald Bay Golf Course

Unlimited play at Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course is included for butler-level guests staying 4+ paid nights and all other room category guests staying 7+ paid nights.

Restaurants

Here are a few of our favorites…

Il Cielo

This is the resort’s Italian restaurant.  My husband and I had a lovely romantic dinner here, complete with white-glove service.  Choose from indoor seating in the midst of intimate pendant lighting and Bahamian-chic décor, or outdoor dining on a beautiful terrace overlooking the charming garden.

Barefoot By the Sea

 Located just a stone’s throw from the clear-blue waterscape of the Exumas, here is one of the few restaurants where you can actually show up barefoot, digging your toes into the fluffy, white sand while enjoying delectable seafood.

La Parisienne

Here, guests discover a contemporary French restaurant that features a progressive menu and white glove service. The blue velvet wall décor, modern art, pleasant colors, magnificent chandeliers, and of course, the amazing French cuisine, rival the traits of any of the fine restaurants located on Paris’ fabled Left Bank. Our butler recommended saving this restaurant for our last meal and I’m sure glad we did.

Drunken Duck Pub

A delightful encounter full of good times and customary pub fare awaits pub-goers who seek the welcoming experience of a traditional, British pub. Drunken Duck-home to rustic, saloon like décor and lively bartenders-is a great place to completely relax and enjoy customary pub fare. We never ate here, but we did stop in for some drinks one evening.

Bombay

This was one of our favorite meals.

The restaurant is filled with the aroma of spices like cardamom, chili peppers, ginger, coriander, saffron and nutmeg. Enjoy the intriguing ambiance while savoring piquant favorites, including Chicken Tikka, Poppadums, Butter Chicken, Lamb Samosas and more.

Soy Sushi Bar

You know I love sushi so it’s no wonder this was my favorite restaurant at the resort. Soy Sushi Bar, a quaint restaurant tucked behind bamboo fronds and adorned with unique Oriental décor, dim lighting, and fresh, delectable sushi. Our waiter gave great sushi recommendations and the fish was some of the freshest we’ve had.

Kimono’s

Follow the tantalizing aroma of exotic spices and perfectly grilled delights to Kimono’s, a vibrant restaurant that serves up Japanese cuisine in a most captivating way. Kimono’s boasts mouthwatering cuisine prepared by skillful chefs who entertain with cookery tricks. Whether your chef juggles cooking utensils, flips a shrimp tail into his shirt pocket, or catches a shitake mushroom in his hat, it’s clear to see that Kimono’s eating is only half the fun.

Would I do a private dinner?

No way.  I can honestly say there was nothing private about many of the setups. For the amount of extra money you’re paying, you may not get what you were expecting. One couple was placed right in the middle of the pool area where everyone was walking by.  The poor woman’s dress was hanging in water.  If you do it, maybe you can say you’ll only do it if you are guaranteed a secluded spot (I’m not sure if they make any guarantees, but maybe your butler can help you arrange it.)

After dinner?

To be honest, there wasn’t a ton of things to do after dinner.  At times they had entertainment on the main stage but it was stuff like karaoke, and cheesy dance parties.  One night there was a dance party where people wore headphones and danced around (they called it a silent disco…lol). If you’re looking for wild nights of partying this is definitely not the place to go.  I wish more bars were open with live bands or some cool cocktail bars.

What did our butlers do for us?

We had 2 butlers…one was awesome and the other barely did anything, so I guess it would depend on who your butler was. The best thing was they reserved your chairs/cabanas for the day.  This was so helpful since some reviews said you had to get up really early to reserve chairs. They made all of our reservations for us and got us time slots we wanted. They reserved a tee time for golf and arranged a cooler with beer for my husband to bring with him.  One day he brought us drinks and food to our lounge chairs as we sat on the beach. They left us treats in our room, like cheese plates, dessert trays, and romantic towel displays.

Would I choose to do a butler next time?

A butler was a nice treat, but not a necessity. I was pleased we got one but would probably not go out of my way to get one. Most of the things they did you could do yourself, especially if you don’t have kids with you and you’re running on island time.

Who would I recommend it to?

Anyone looking for a laid-back, relaxing couple’s vacation at an adults-only resort. We loved going with another couple.  Even though we missed our kids it was nice to get away and have some fun.  I admit it was easier not seeing families there with kids because that might have made us miss our girls more.

What can you do around the island?

Exuma Island Hopping and Swimming Pigs Tour

Fly To The Swimming Pigs

Swimming Pigs Tour from Nassau/Visit Pigs, Sharks, Cave & more/Plane & Boat Tour

Take a Wonderful Boat Tour through Crystal Bay, Exuma, Bahamas

Tips for Planning your Stay

Sandals resorts are all adult only…no kiddos allowed.

Shuttle: There is a complimentary shuttle from the airport, although it is not a bus.  They provide you rides in taxis but the resort pays for it.

Don’t expect a lounge at the airport…there is none.  (Unlike many other Beaches and Sandals resorts at other islands where you can get drinks and snacks).  You go directly from the plane to a taxi.

Airport: It is only a 20-minute ride to the resort from the airport.

Room choice? I would definitely get a room close to the beach.  I would also recommend a room on one of the higher floors for an even better view.

There is a 24-hour front desk.

Rollaway/extra beds are not available

Pets? Pets are not allowed at this property.

Website: https://www.sandals.com/emerald-bay/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandalsresorts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandalsresorts

We had such a lovely time at Sandals Emerald Bay.  It was exactly what we needed and the perfect way to spend some a romantic vacation with my husband. As always, all experiences and opinions are 100% of MyTravelingKids.com.

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