Sandals Emerald Bay
Queens Highway, EX29142 Great Exuma
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About
#1 of 1 all-inclusive in Great Exuma
Location
4.7
Rooms
4.5
Value
4.0
Cleanliness
4.5
Service
4.3
Sleep Quality
4.6
This place is temporarily closed.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Diving
Free airport transportation
Parking
Wifi
Paid wifi
Fitness classes
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Adult pool
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Wine / champagne
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Golf course
Tennis court
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Table tennis
Airport transportation
Business Center with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Massage
Salon
Adults only
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Butler service
24-hour front desk
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Room features
Private beach
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Telephone
Flatscreen TV
Hair dryer
VIP room facilities
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Room types
Ocean view
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Green
Quiet
Location
Queens Highway, EX29142 Great Exuma
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 41 out of 100
41
12 Restaurants
within 5 miles
2 Attractions
within 5 miles
Reviews
4.0
6,502 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Sandals Emerald Bay, while cherished for its tranquil location and seclusion, appears to struggle with delivering value for its price point, as some travelers criticize the overpriced accommodations and subpar food. Although the service garners both applause for its attentiveness and flak for inconsistency, guests have called out the need for room refurbishments and updates to enhance the atmosphere.
The cleanliness of the hotel is typically well-regarded, yet there are occasional concerns regarding the upkeep of the beach. The amenities receive a mixed reception, with the golf course being a highlight amidst remarks on outdated features.
Location
Secluded
Atmosphere
Outdated
Rooms
Dated
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Mixed
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Detailed Reviews
My wife and I just returned from 8 excellent nights at Sandals Emerald Bay. This was our 4th stay at this resort and we were a bit surprised the resort wasn't full for the first time. Of the six different Sandals resorts we've stayed, this is our favorite, so much so we have made this our vacation location every other year. Once again the service of everyone here is always very friendly and pleasant, and our Butlers (Anfroy, Aaron, Robert) were exceptional, with a special mention for Anfroy. He didn't need to be asked, he would bring us drinks to the beach, by the pool, or in our room, and of the dozen-plus butlers we've had, if he saw us waiting at the bar he would asked what we'd like and have us go sit down... that's Anfroy!
The beach at this resort is the best by far, beautiful blue water, soft white sand, and no vendors ever. We walk the almost mile long beach a few times each day just to pretend it was a fair trade for all the excellent food and drinks.
Once again ... An Excellent Resort with Excellent Staff all around!
The beach at this resort is the best by far, beautiful blue water, soft white sand, and no vendors ever. We walk the almost mile long beach a few times each day just to pretend it was a fair trade for all the excellent food and drinks.
Once again ... An Excellent Resort with Excellent Staff all around!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Beron Hurst, Other at Sandals Emerald Bay
Responded Apr 22, 2024
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience at Sandals Emerald Bay with us! We're thrilled to hear that you and your wife enjoyed another fantastic stay at our resort and that it continues to be your favorite among all the Sandals resorts you've visited. It's truly heartwarming to hear that the exceptional service provided by our staff, including your Butlers Anfroy, Aaron, and Robert, made your stay memorable and enjoyable. We're delighted to hear about Anfroy's proactive approach and his dedication to ensuring that you had everything you needed, whether it was drinks on the beach, by the pool, or in your room. We will be sure to pass along your special mention to him and the rest of our team. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful beach at our resort, with its crystal-clear blue water and soft white sand. It's wonderful to know that you were able to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings during your stay. Thank you once again for choosing Sandals Emerald Bay as your vacation destination and for your continued loyalty. We can't wait to welcome you back for another excellent stay in the future!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My husband and I stayed at Emerald Bay to celebrate my 65th birthday last month. We wanted to make the trip as special as possible, so we booked a suite with a walk-out to the beach and butler service. Everything in our room was top notch; everything we asked for was taken care of by our 3 butlers—Mars, Ailyn, and Breon—including a huge birthday sign and balloons over the bed on my birthday. We ate at 6 of the 11 restaurants and every meal was delicious, but my favorite was our private 4 course candlelight dinner served by Todd. It was an experience to remember for sure! We booked the Swimming with Pigs excursion and it was also a great experience except for people who took advantage of the free beer and were clearly intoxicated and made the trip back not so enjoyable. My hubby played golf twice at the course on the resort and he commented several times about how well-kept the greens were. I got a lemon body scrub at the spa on my birthday and Gabrielle made that a pleasant experience as well! We enjoyed the trip so much that we decided to book another Sandals trip for next year, and Rochelle at the bookings office made that easy! The only thing that could have been better was the weather; it was extremely windy and rainy at times and that kept us from being able to get in the water or do any water sports, but hanging out at the quiet pool was a nice alternative. I highly recommend this resort for mature folks like us; there were many more folks there our age than there were young folks! 😊
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Beron Hurst, Other at Sandals Emerald Bay
Responded May 9, 2024
Thank you for choosing Sandals Emerald Bay to celebrate your 65th birthday and for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us. We are thrilled to hear that you had a memorable and special celebration and that our team went above and beyond to ensure your comfort and satisfaction during your stay. We are delighted that you enjoyed your luxurious suite, the exceptional service provided by our butlers Mars, Ailyn, and Breon, and the delicious meals at our various restaurants. It warms our hearts to know that your private candlelight dinner served by Todd was a highlight of your trip and left a lasting impression. We appreciate your feedback regarding the Swimming with Pigs excursion and apologize for any inconvenience caused by other guests. Rest assured, we will address this issue to ensure all our excursions are enjoyable for every guest. It is wonderful to hear that your husband enjoyed golfing on our well-kept course and that you had a relaxing and rejuvenating experience at our spa, thanks to Gabrielle. We are also pleased to hear that Rochelle made booking your next Sandals trip a seamless process. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the weather, but we are glad to hear that you found alternative ways to enjoy your time at the resort, such as relaxing at the quiet pool. Thank you for recommending Sandals Emerald Bay to mature guests like yourselves, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable stay next year!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A lot to digest? Read an AI-generated summary of recent traveler reviews.
We had a nice relaxing time not much activity going on but probably the time of year. The Bahamian people are friendly and helpful we felt safe all around the island. Best day was renting a boat from minus water sports and snorkeling all over the bay. There were lots of beautiful live reefs loaded with colorful fish. Lunch at Chat N Chill on stocking Island was wonderful. Kevin & Kesha were awesome butlers and took care of all our needs. Bring your own hair dryer the one in the room is very weak.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Avion P, Other at Sandals Emerald Bay
Responded Dec 3, 2023
Hello and happy anniversary! Thank you for sharing your review of Sandals Emerald Bay. While we are delighted that you enjoyed your stay overall, it is disheartening to see that there may have been some areas that you were not completely satisfied with. Your comments regarding the lack of activities have been shared with our Management Team for consideration. We remain dedicated to offering a service where we go above and beyond for our guests, ensuring that the memories attained will leave a smile on every face. Your review is greatly appreciated and we hope to welcome you back to one of our resorts very soon.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sandals SEB remains our favorite location we have ever traveled to, but it is quickly burning through all its goodwill. By this I mean, when we first traveled to this property in 2016, we were immediately taken back the beauty found everywhere there. The beach is unmatched with calm brilliant waters surrounded by meticulous gardens. But after returning multiple time is has diminished each time all while the price for a stay continues to climb in the opposite direction. I know that the property is slated for a major renovation, but it is struggling in the meantime. In a 3 year span our room category has increased by about 30%. This particular trip was plagued with restaurant closures which were blamed on the current occupancy of the resort. I understand the reasoning, but the driving factor in poor occupancy is the rate increases. SEB has out priced Sandals 4 newest or renovated properties. A decision must be made to either expedite the renovation or return rates to a more appropriate level.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Avion Peters, Other at Sandals Emerald Bay
Responded May 16, 2023
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to share your review of Sandals Emerald Bay. While we are thrilled to have hosted you as a guest, it saddens us to know there were some aspects of your vacation that were not in line with your expectations. We appreciate you sharing your concerns and observations. Rest assured that we have shared the concerns and comments shared in your feedback, as this serves to assist in the further improvement of the overall service. At this time, should you have lingering concerns, please contact our customer support team at customersupport@sandals.com. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we always strive to act on it. We would love to have another chance to show you our improved service and win back your trust in our resort family.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My wife and I visited this resort twice in the past. Our first trip was July 2020 on the opening week after Covid and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We loved this resort so much that we booked it for the following year.
We had air conditioning issues in our room the following year in 2021. I had to keep disconnecting the thermostat in order for it to work. Multiple calls to the front desk and a maintenance worker (still there to this date) would come if we were lucky maybe to look at it and wouldn’t do a thing.
My wife and I love Exuma so much that we saved for two years for our trip this year. We reserved a butler room cause we wanted to stay in a larger room. Upon check-in on July 6, the butlers lounge was needless to say HOT! The butler concierge was very non-chalant about the entire resort not having air conditioning and it had been broken since July 3. I started realizing that how hard would it have been for a simple email to be sent out to upcoming arrivals. We could have rescheduled for the following week!!!
The entire management team should really be looked into for this!!! They all seemed to be extremely hush about the situation to everyone there and those being checked in. No updates were ever given regarding air conditioning. We felt really sorry for the workers there that were working in the conditions presented cause they were doing their very best.
We couldn’t sleep in our bedroom for three nights due to the room having a temperature of 86-88 degrees. The room had started to smell mildew after the first night with only one ceiling fan working on high. One of the bedroom windows would not open and the other had a window lock made of mortar, yes I said mortar!!!!!
My wife had to “sleep” if she could on the floor and I slept on the loveseat. She said the loveseat would keep her hotter than the floor. We had to sleep like animals in a room costing over $1k a night!!!!!!! We were able to finally switch rooms on day 4 out of 6. Only one side of the building had air conditioning working.
The compensation offered to us and everyone else would be for three nights based on the cash amount paid per night for the trip this year. The problem with this is that we had $1500 as ssg points and when we inquired about possible returning next year, the cost of two nights would be almost as much as what we paid for five nights this year. No re-credit of our points would be given back to us, so I would advise to look elsewhere then staying with this brand (Sandals/Beaches). Everything with this company seems to be a genuine money grab!!!
The staff, excluding front desk management and higher, really went above and beyond to try to keep guests comfortable. The island really is beautiful and we will return but we will look into renting a house for our next trip.
We had air conditioning issues in our room the following year in 2021. I had to keep disconnecting the thermostat in order for it to work. Multiple calls to the front desk and a maintenance worker (still there to this date) would come if we were lucky maybe to look at it and wouldn’t do a thing.
My wife and I love Exuma so much that we saved for two years for our trip this year. We reserved a butler room cause we wanted to stay in a larger room. Upon check-in on July 6, the butlers lounge was needless to say HOT! The butler concierge was very non-chalant about the entire resort not having air conditioning and it had been broken since July 3. I started realizing that how hard would it have been for a simple email to be sent out to upcoming arrivals. We could have rescheduled for the following week!!!
The entire management team should really be looked into for this!!! They all seemed to be extremely hush about the situation to everyone there and those being checked in. No updates were ever given regarding air conditioning. We felt really sorry for the workers there that were working in the conditions presented cause they were doing their very best.
We couldn’t sleep in our bedroom for three nights due to the room having a temperature of 86-88 degrees. The room had started to smell mildew after the first night with only one ceiling fan working on high. One of the bedroom windows would not open and the other had a window lock made of mortar, yes I said mortar!!!!!
My wife had to “sleep” if she could on the floor and I slept on the loveseat. She said the loveseat would keep her hotter than the floor. We had to sleep like animals in a room costing over $1k a night!!!!!!! We were able to finally switch rooms on day 4 out of 6. Only one side of the building had air conditioning working.
The compensation offered to us and everyone else would be for three nights based on the cash amount paid per night for the trip this year. The problem with this is that we had $1500 as ssg points and when we inquired about possible returning next year, the cost of two nights would be almost as much as what we paid for five nights this year. No re-credit of our points would be given back to us, so I would advise to look elsewhere then staying with this brand (Sandals/Beaches). Everything with this company seems to be a genuine money grab!!!
The staff, excluding front desk management and higher, really went above and beyond to try to keep guests comfortable. The island really is beautiful and we will return but we will look into renting a house for our next trip.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Beron Hurst, Other at Sandals Emerald Bay
Responded Jul 29, 2024
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback regarding your recent stay at Sandals Emerald Bay. We deeply regret to hear about the issues you encountered during your stay, especially given your previous positive experiences with us. We are very sorry for the air conditioning issues you faced and the inconvenience they caused. It is unacceptable that this problem was not communicated to you prior to your arrival or adequately addressed during your stay. We understand how frustrating it must have been to endure such uncomfortable conditions, particularly in a butler room where you expected a higher level of comfort and service. Your concerns about the lack of communication and the nonchalant attitude of the management team are taken very seriously. This is not the standard of service we strive to provide, and we will be conducting a thorough review to ensure such oversights do not happen again. The discomfort you experienced, including the inability to sleep properly due to the high temperatures and the smell of mildew, is deeply concerning. We apologize for the poor condition of your room and for the inadequate response from our maintenance team. Regarding the compensation offered, we understand your dissatisfaction and frustration. We aim to provide fair resolutions to our guests, and it seems we fell short in this instance. We appreciate your feedback and will review our compensation policies to ensure they are equitable and satisfactory for our guests. We are grateful for your kind words about our staff, excluding the front desk management, who worked hard to make the best of a difficult situation. Your acknowledgment of their efforts is much appreciated and will be shared with them. Exuma is indeed a beautiful destination, and we hope that despite the challenges you faced, you were able to enjoy some aspects of your trip. We would love the opportunity to restore your faith in Sandals Resorts. Please contact our customer support team at customersupport@sandals.com to discuss your experience further and explore how we can make amends. Thank you for your understanding and for giving us valuable feedback that will help us improve.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is our 6th. trip to Sandals emerald bay since our first trip was in 2010 , few months after the resort first opened the doors for tourists.
We are a Diamond member with 228 nights stay and been to practically every Sandals resort ( more than once in some resorts that we like, we went back again)
We can see the changes developed during the past few years especially after it was closed down for couple years from the Covid 19 .Jeremy Mutton who has been the general manager since It started and did an excellent job guiding the resort through the development and reopening after the shutdown. Here are the suggestions that we would like to see. The buildings need renovations since the plumbing, electrical outlets, fixtures and furnitures have been around since 2010 , showing wear and tear from salty air. Tennis courts is badly needed renovations, we understand that they plan to change 2 clay courts to hard courts and 2 clay courts into 6-8 pickleball courts and keep 2 original clay courts, it’s would be very nice if they could put bubble dome to cover one during the rainy season. Sponge Bob who has been the tennis pro there for several years is very good teacher and took great care maintaining the clay courts.
Bahamas bay restaurant now only serves breakfast buffet and serves menu options for lunches but not open for dinner.
With many other new Sandals resorts opening and have Butch’s steak house, they should consider opening one at Emerald Bay.
We also noticed that the price of all inclusive stay per week has drastically increased in comparison to the price of the other all inclusive resorts for example, club meds ( who is the first to offer all inclusive ideas since 1950 ) who charge about 50- 60% for the one week stay in comparison to Sandals.
We are a Diamond member with 228 nights stay and been to practically every Sandals resort ( more than once in some resorts that we like, we went back again)
We can see the changes developed during the past few years especially after it was closed down for couple years from the Covid 19 .Jeremy Mutton who has been the general manager since It started and did an excellent job guiding the resort through the development and reopening after the shutdown. Here are the suggestions that we would like to see. The buildings need renovations since the plumbing, electrical outlets, fixtures and furnitures have been around since 2010 , showing wear and tear from salty air. Tennis courts is badly needed renovations, we understand that they plan to change 2 clay courts to hard courts and 2 clay courts into 6-8 pickleball courts and keep 2 original clay courts, it’s would be very nice if they could put bubble dome to cover one during the rainy season. Sponge Bob who has been the tennis pro there for several years is very good teacher and took great care maintaining the clay courts.
Bahamas bay restaurant now only serves breakfast buffet and serves menu options for lunches but not open for dinner.
With many other new Sandals resorts opening and have Butch’s steak house, they should consider opening one at Emerald Bay.
We also noticed that the price of all inclusive stay per week has drastically increased in comparison to the price of the other all inclusive resorts for example, club meds ( who is the first to offer all inclusive ideas since 1950 ) who charge about 50- 60% for the one week stay in comparison to Sandals.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We travel about 50% of the time . Sandals at Emerald Bay, Exuma Bahamas is in our opinion a resort that fails to meet expectations and is priced at least 2X its value vs. other similar hotels. It can be described as a mediocre "all inclusive" cruise ship that never sets sail. There are several restaurants, the Italian Restaurant is the only real restaurant, their Sushi, Teppanyaki, Indian and French rate between OK and terrible serving microwave or ready to serve quality food. Their untipped employees are friendly but lack the sparkle and hustle of staff at a typical high end restaurant or hotel. Our room was nice but showed the signs of an older building with corroded sink drains, poorly repainted surfaces, etc. The hotel is located on the windward side of Exuma Island so for half our stay the balcony and beach were not really usable. There are no nearby restaurants outside the resort so you need a car and then the options are very limited. On the positive side they have a nice golf course that gets very little play with many holes on the water. Also on the positive side they have a good scuba diver training program that provides an opportunity for new divers to get qualified. We also enjoyed a 3rd party 7 beaches swimming / boating tour that took us to many places on the south end of the island. In summary I don't like the Sandals all Inclusive format. We paid $1400 for our room per night, other paid as little as $900 night for no view rooms. If we subtracted $200 per day for food and drinks and another $50 for to reflect what playing golf one day would cost (we stayed five days) the net price of our room would have been $1150. This is about twice what we typically pay for nicer rooms or condos in Hawaii, Florida, Europe, etc. As a final point, many people seem to like the "drink as much as you want" option that is part of the all inclusive price, while this is not our idea of a nice vacation it may be worth another $100 per day to some people. Even considering this the hotel nightly rate is about twice the price of what a nice resort where you go to independent restaurants costs. As a last point, anyone that goes to this resort gets picked up at at the airport, stays on the resort and then goes back to the airport. Unless you rent a car or make an effort to leave the property you will never know you were on Exuma or have any local experiences.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Beron Hurst, Other at Sandals Emerald Bay
Responded May 15, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback regarding your recent stay at Sandals Emerald Bay. We appreciate your candid assessment of your experience, and we deeply regret that we fell short of meeting your expectations. We apologize for any disappointment caused by the quality of our dining options and the condition of your room. We understand the importance of providing exceptional service and accommodations to our guests, and we take your feedback seriously. We will address your concerns with our culinary and maintenance teams to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of quality and comfort for all our guests. While we are pleased to hear that you enjoyed some of the activities and amenities offered at our resort, we understand your frustration with the limited dining options and lack of nearby attractions. We appreciate your feedback, and we will use it to identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall guest experience. We understand that our resort may not be the ideal fit for everyone, and we apologize for any inconvenience or dissatisfaction you experienced during your stay. We hope that you will consider giving us another opportunity to exceed your expectations in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Resort was clean and lovely. The ocean and location were beautiful. The food was nothing special and the service was fair at best. As we entered the . Italian restaurant which is supposed to be fine dining , the hostess was outright rude. The waitress was fair at best and the courses came so fast that we were finished in 45 minutes and the food was so so . The jerk shack workers were appallingly rude and couldn’t be bothered to wait on us . No beach service and the bar at the pool
Had 6 bartenders literally standing around and inly two of them seemed to want to work.housekeeping is supposed to come twice a day and she didn’t come the first time of day until 5:30 pm to make the bed. For 5 days it costs $10,000 . Absolutely outrageous for food that is fair at best and service that is sub par. Couldn’t even get a Diet Coke at the golf course without having to pay for it even though it’s supposed to be all inclusive. Will never return
Had 6 bartenders literally standing around and inly two of them seemed to want to work.housekeeping is supposed to come twice a day and she didn’t come the first time of day until 5:30 pm to make the bed. For 5 days it costs $10,000 . Absolutely outrageous for food that is fair at best and service that is sub par. Couldn’t even get a Diet Coke at the golf course without having to pay for it even though it’s supposed to be all inclusive. Will never return
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Beron Hurst, Other at Sandals Emerald Bay
Responded May 15, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback following your recent stay at our Sandals Emerald Bay resort. We are pleased to hear that you found the cleanliness and beauty of our property to your satisfaction, and we apologize for any shortcomings you experienced during your visit. We deeply regret that your dining experiences did not meet your expectations, particularly at our Italian restaurant and the Jerk Shack. Providing exceptional culinary experiences is a priority for us, and we apologize for any instances of rudeness or subpar service you encountered from our staff. We will address your concerns with our restaurant and bar teams to ensure that all guests receive the attentive and courteous service they deserve. We also apologize for any inconvenience caused by the delay in housekeeping services and the lack of beach service during your stay. Your feedback regarding these issues will be shared with our housekeeping and management teams to prevent similar occurrences in the future. We understand your disappointment and frustration with the value of your experience given the cost of your stay. Please know that we take all feedback seriously, and we will use your comments to identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall guest experience. While we regret that we were unable to meet your expectations on this occasion, we hope that you will reconsider and give us another opportunity to provide you with the exceptional service and hospitality that our guests deserve. If you would like to discuss your experience further or provide additional feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our third trip to Emerald Bay (EB). Seven stays at Sandals. It started out badly. The taxi used to transport us from the airport was very old, beat up and dirty. Not what you would expect for what you are paying to stay there.We arrived at the hotel at 1500. The wait for our Butler was almost an hour. Room was missing robes, hair dryer, butler phone and the main bathroom had not been cleaned completely. Multiple requests for things like snacks and housekeeping went unanswered. I used the "Gina" on the Sandals app to let management know. On day three I was invited to meet with the butler manager and the customer service manager. These two individuals helped save our vacation. We were assigned a new butler team and things immediately began to improve and return to what we believed was Sandals standards. Those butlers were Waldens, Ailyn and Garth. These 3 are rock stars!! They made our vacation special and were constantly surprising us. High winds prevented us from enjoying any water activities at the resort for our entire stay. We did go on an excursion called 7 Beaches which was awesome, finally got some time on/in the water. The resort itself, especially the rooms are in need of an update. The room you get does not resemble the room they use in their pictures on the website. The food seems to be very bland. Service in the Italian restaurant was horrible. We did not go to EB for the food or the room. We went there for the beach and the golf course. Both are both amazing!! We think the beach at EB is the nicest one in the Sandals family. The gold course is a Greg Norman course that is on the resorted and included as part of your stay. The back nine runs along the ocean and has majestic views.Thanks to the awesome management team that cares enough to respond to their customers concerns I will be coming back to EB.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Beron Hurst, Other at Sandals Emerald Bay
Responded Mar 11, 2024
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback about your recent stay at Sandals Emerald Bay. We appreciate your loyalty as repeat guests and sincerely apologize for the challenges you encountered at the beginning of your trip. Your experience does not reflect the high standards we strive to maintain, and we regret any inconvenience caused. We are pleased to hear that the meeting with the butler manager and customer service manager had a positive impact on your vacation. It's great to know that Waldens, Ailyn, and Garth, the new butler team, went above and beyond to make your stay special, showcasing the true Sandals hospitality. We also appreciate your constructive comments about the need for room updates and the perception of bland food. Your insights are crucial in helping us enhance the overall guest experience, and we will ensure these concerns are addressed with the relevant teams. It's heartening to hear that the beach and golf course met your expectations, and we appreciate your recognition of the management team's responsiveness. We look forward to welcoming you back to Sandals Emerald Bay for another opportunity to provide the outstanding experience you deserve.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was a nice resort and the staff was extremely friendly. The main pool was WAY too loud during the day so we spent most of the time at the smaller "quiet" pool. Maybe during Spring Break there would have been a lot of younger people there so the main pool activity would have been right for them. But during our visit, the crowd was much older and the sound level of the music and activity director trying to get people engaged in all kinds of "fun" things didn't seem to connect with most of the people. The butler service was good but we had a hard time keeping our room stocked with simple things like ice and clean glasses. Our luggage did not get put on the Delta flight from Atlanta (along with about 8 other couples) so we went three days with no clothes or anything else we had packed. DO NOT fly Delta into this resort but fly American as they fly in every day and if they lose your luggage you will get it quicker. Delta only flies in a few times a week and they waited until their next flight to bring our luggage. TERRIBLE customer service by Delta!! DO NOT FLY DELTA if at all possible. All in all I would probably visit another Sandals resort before going back to this particular one but it was a good week anyway.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Avion Peters, Owner at Sandals Emerald Bay
Responded Nov 9, 2022
Hello, and thank you for sharing your review of Sandals Emerald Bay. While it seems you enjoyed your stay overall, we are disheartened to see that you may have returned home with a diminished opinion of our team members. We remain dedicated to offering a service where we go above and beyond for our guests, ensuring that the memories attained will leave a smile on every face, and we apologize if this was not made more evident to you during your stay. Your review is greatly appreciated, and we do hope that we will welcome you back to one of our resorts in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi
Renovations, when I was there are done.
They were not doing any work while we were there but did hear that also, you can call R & R Travel in Oxford Alabama they would know .
Hi
The renovations are done.
Enjoy
The big 'if' with your question is the wind. In calmer periods the visibility can be terrific. Snorkeling off the beach and on the snorkeling tour is just fine. The resort can be windy however, and all bets are off.
That being said, we have been back 7 times. Emerald Bay has lots to offer.
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"Confirm that air conditioning is working before you arrive and have a plan for what to do if it goes out, as you may be on your own."Read full review
"the entire staff is slow to serve the guests and none of them seem to actually care whether you have a good time or not."Read full review
"Go elsewhere! Check the reviews first. I wish I had. This problem has been ongoing with the AC for over 5 years! "Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$584 - $823 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
sandals emerald bay hotel great exuma, four seasons great exuma, great exuma four seasons
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay
LOCATION
CaribbeanBahamasOut IslandsGreat Exuma
NUMBER OF ROOMS
249
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sandals Emerald Bay
Which popular attractions are close to Sandals Emerald Bay?
Nearby attractions include Coco Plum Beach (4.2 miles) and Marina Emerald Bay (2.4 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Sandals Emerald Bay?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Sandals Emerald Bay?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Sandals Emerald Bay?
Conveniently located restaurants include Cocoplum Bistro, Big D's Conch Spot, and Lighthouse Cafe and Ice Cream Parlour.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Sandals Emerald Bay?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness center, and fitness classes during their stay.
Does Sandals Emerald Bay have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Sandals Emerald Bay offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Sandals Emerald Bay have airport transportation?
Yes, Sandals Emerald Bay offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Sandals Emerald Bay?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Sandals Emerald Bay offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Does Sandals Emerald Bay have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.