This was our second stay at Grand Isle. We returned for three reasons: the staff, the location, and the food. The staff was the same amazing people we first encountered, the location can't be beat. First, Exuma is heaven on earth and second, Emerald Bay is pristine. Lastly, the first time we experienced the food we felt the freshness, locally sourced, and homecooked feel was apparent. Everything was delicious and as fresh as can be. When we returned, we noticed a little bit of a difference with that. The food, overall, was still good but some of the items now seem pre-made, packaged, or processed. Almost as if they are shipping them in from elsewhere. It seems to be as a result of Covid (we first visited pre-Covid and came back last week for our second visit). The cost of food and goods perhaps led to this? I don't know. The rooms are great, clean, and if you are traveling with family or friends this resort will allow you options to stay together with 2 and 3 bedroom accommodations. It is a rarity and to get that, along with a full-service boutique hotel is a homerun. The other restaurant on property, 23 North, was delicious. That food had the same freshness that Palapa Grill first had when we initially visited in 2018. However, the 23 North pool didn't have any staff. So, it is absolutely breathtaking but you can't get drink and/or food service. We had a beautiful cabana - by the way, they need more cabana and shaded options there - but that gorgeous restaurant and bar was closed for lunch and only open for dinner certain days. That place is perfect and needs full staffing and to be open for lunch and dinner daily. They should really market that bar, pool, and drink service. With an all-inclusive right next door people want service and since Grand Isle has the nicest employees we have ever encountered at a resort, put them front and center. They make the entire experience. We'd return, I think, but with other resorts popping up on Exuma (Kahari) and other islands in the Bahamas to check out (Abacos with CerulaMar) etc. Grand Isle may want to consider stepping it up with freshness of food and more services for hotel guests. We understand there are condos and people who own them just visit for a time away, but you also have vacationers who want a full-service experience. That, and they must spray for bugs. We had gnat-like insects biting us incessantly and when we stayed next door at another resort, we didn't have an issue because they sprayed religiously. …
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.