Undiscovered and easily accessible, Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay offers privacy and exclusivity on the largest of the pristine Exuma cays, S.E. of Miami. Sweeping ocean vistas and unspoiled tropical beauty frame a Four Seasons experience unmatched in The Bahamas. Enjoy the beach, the golf course, water sports and children's activities.
All our rates include 20% taxes,levies and housekeeping gratuities.
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LOCATION:Exuma International Airport (GGT): 15 minutes by car
Nassau International Airport: 35 minutes by air
Miami International Airport: 90 minutes by air
Fort Lauderdale International Airport: 90 minutes by air
Charlotte International Airport: 90 minutes by air
Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay offers an idyllic Bahamian getaway on one of the secluded Out Islands. Easily reached from Miami and Nassau, it is one of the most accessible luxury island resorts from eastern North America. Presiding over a sprawling oceanfront vista, it overlooks a gently sloping expanse of silky white sand at shoreline, surrounded by masses of vibrant bougainvillea and hibiscus in impeccably landscaped grounds.
Championship golf, a full service spa and wellness centre, inspired dining, three outdoor pools and a wide range of recreational activities make it a perfect base for exploring a fascinating locale.
With 140 guest rooms and 43 suites, and meeting space that is ideal for high-level business meetings as well as functions up to 400 people, the Resort sets exciting new standards for romantic getaways, active vacations or exclusive gatherings.
TRANSPORTATION:Exuma International Airport (GGT) is a 15-minute drive away, and is served by American Eagle, Continental Connection, US Airways and Bahamasair, with connections to Nassau, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Charlotte, which - between them - are served by most international airlines.
A number of charter companies are available to provide service to and from Great Exuma and helicopter rental is available for travel throughout the Bahamas. The Resort can arrange limousine, taxi and rental car transportation.
Adjacent to the Resort, Emerald Bay has a full-service, deepwater marina with 62 slips that can accommodate craft up to 200 feet (61 meters), and it offers the convenience of Bahamian customs and immigration for guests arriving by water. (Opening soon!)
DESTINATION:Part of the Bahamas' captivating Out Islands, the Exumas are a 120-mile (193-km) chain of 365 cays and islands, stretching southeast from Nassau. Known for the friendliness of its people, the Exumas offer a pleasantly tropical climate, hidden coves, untouched beaches and mostly uninhabited isles. Straddling the Tropic of Cancer, Great Exuma is the largest island in the chain, and with a population of only 3,400, it is still largely undiscovered. Its intimate size, just 40 miles (64 kilometers) long, makes it easy to explore by taxi, rental car, bicycle or motorized scooter.
Thirty minutes north of George Town, the island's capital, crescent-shaped Emerald Bay is a 470-acre tropical paradise surrounded by crystal clear cerulean waters that are renowned for fishing, diving, sailing and a wealth of marine life.
The surrounding area offers a wide range of excursions and activities:
Within a 30-minute drive of the Resort the historic settlement of George Town sits between Lake Victoria and the sea. According to local lore, in 1834 the island's wealthiest landowner, Lord Rolle, deeded his substantial real estate holdings to his slaves and their descendents, all of whom then adopted the surname Rolle. With its pastel buildings, cozy inns and sprawling fig trees, George Town is easily explored on foot. Noteworthy places to visit include:
- St. Andrew's Anglican Church
- The Straw Market
- Local craft and clothing stores
- The neoclassical Government Administration Building.
Elizabeth Harbour in George Town is naturally protected by Stocking Island and its bay side beach offers an assortment of restaurants and bars. South of George Town, the pretty village of Rolle Town sits on a hill overlooking the sea. It is famed for its small brightly painted old houses and an old cemetery for 18th-century settlers.
Within a 60-minute drive of the Resort a bridge links Great Exuma to Little Exuma, where the old settlement of Williams Town features the remains of its Great Salt Pond and a tall white obelisk that used to advertise the area's plentiful supplies of salt and fresh water to passing ships in the 19th century.
The Hermitage Plantation on Little Exuma was built by Loyalist settlers and is the last surviving example of the many that once stood in the Bahamas. Within its estate, Cotton House is the oldest building in the Exumas. Built in the 1780s as part of the 970-acre cotton plantation, it remains inhabited to this day.
Just off Little Exuma, Pigeon Cay is popular with snorkellers, who come to snorkel and visit the remains of a 200-year-old wreck. The uninhabited island also has the remains of an old pirate fort, complete with cannons.
The tidal flats of Pipe Creek, which run from Compass Cay to Sampson Cay, offer rewarding beachcombing for driftwood, sand dollars and other sea-brought treasures.
Day trips from the ResortStocking Island lies about one mile (1.6 km) off Great Exuma, and offers fine sandy beaches, nature trails, sailing and snorkelling.
Catamaran tours are available from the Resort, to explore the island's coral reefs and marine life.
You can also visit Stocking Island aboard a twice-daily ferry that departs from George Town.
A variety of colourful beachside bars and casual open-air eateries offer local dishes such as conch chowder or deep-fried conch, and are immensely popular during daytime only.
A few hundred feet off Stocking Island lies the underwater Mystery Cave, part of a 400 ft. (122 m)-deep network of caverns below the ocean's surface, with a system of reefs dating back 3.5 million years.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is a 175 sq. mile (455 kmę) marine park established in 1959 to conserve nature both above and below water. The largest of its kind in the western hemisphere, the Park provides opportunities for boating, diving, snorkelling and the observation of rare and exotic species of birds, reptiles and flora. Its underwater world reveals a universe of limestone, coral reefs, blue holes, caves and drop offs. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, it offers outstanding anchorages and dive sites. On land, nature trails lead to the ruins of an old Loyalist plantation.
Staniel Cay is a picture-perfect settlement famous for sloop racing and diving. It hosts the annual Bahamian Bonefish Tournament on July 4, which attracts competitors from all over the world.
Thunderball Grotto, on Staniel Cay, offers a one-of-a-kind experience for divers and snorkellers. Full of neon-bright fish and vast coral castles, it is lit by beams of light shining through holes eroded by rain to create natural skylights. Protected by the Bahamas National Trust, the grotto has been used in filming such movies as Thunderball, Never Say Never Again and Splash.
CLIMATE:
| Average Temperatures: |
| Month | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
| | High | Low | High | Low |
| January | 25 | 17 | 77 | 62 |
| February | 26 | 17 | 78 | 63 |
| March | 27 | 18 | 80 | 64 |
| April | 28 | 19 | 82 | 66 |
| May | 29 | 21 | 85 | 70 |
| June | 31 | 23 | 87 | 73 |
| July | 32 | 24 | 89 | 75 |
| August | 32 | 24 | 89 | 75 |
| September | 31 | 23 | 88 | 74 |
| October | 29 | 22 | 85 | 72 |
| November | 28 | 20 | 82 | 68 |
| December | 26 | 18 | 79 | 64 |
GUEST ROOMS AND SUITES:The Resort offers 183 expansive guest rooms, including 43 suites, and many are steps from the beach. Designed for comfort and privacy, the décor features natural wood, stone and marble finishes with a soothing mix of soft blues, seagrass greens and pale yellows. The appealing combination of contemporary and classic furnishings enhances the restful ambience. Peaceful vistas facing Emerald Bay may be enjoyed from the private balcony or terrace that leads off every guest room. A well-defined work area in all guest accommodations allows guests to remain productive, with state-of-the-art technology for communication and entertainment, including high-speed Internet access.
Standard throughout the Resort are oversized bathrooms that include Four Seasons signature features - deep-soaking tub with separate glass-walled shower, large dual-sink vanity, and WC with telephone in a separate alcove. Each room has a dual-line (one with a speaker), direct dial telephone with data and fax ports, in-room safe, fully stocked private bar, ceiling fans and air-conditioning. Other features include 100% cotton bath sheets and soft terry robes, fine personal care items and hair dryers.
ROOMS:
Generously proportioned Garden View, Partial Ocean View, Ocean View, and Beachfront rooms are dotted throughout the Resort and in cottage clusters around Emerald Bay.
The 140
Standard guest rooms all feature one king-size bed or two double beds, with a separate area for relaxing or entertaining, and a variety of garden, ocean and beachfront views. Welcoming, with Bahamian colonial touches of colorful rugs and artwork, Standard Rooms start at a generous 475 ft
2. (44 m
2). Each has an entertainment armoire with television and DVD player.
The
Garden View Rooms: Are located on the Ground level and have a view of the gardens surrounding the swimming pool, and are furnished in either a sky, seagrass, shell or vibrant Nassau colour scheme. The stone floors have custom area rugs, and the dark-stained handcrafted furnishings feature impressive white painted millwork and British Colonial-inspired decorative castings and trims. The windows are framed by plantation shutters. Rooms feature either one king bed or two double beds and can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child per room.
The
Partial Ocean View Rooms: Are located on the ground or second floor and feature terraces or balconies with partial views of the ocean through the palm trees and are furnished in either a sky, seagrass, shell or vibrant Nassau colour scheme. The stone floors have custom area rugs, and the dark-stained handcrafted furnishings feature impressive white painted millwork and British Colonial-inspired decorative castings and trims. The windows are framed by plantation shutters. Rooms feature either one king bed or two double beds and can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child per room.
The
Ocean View Rooms: are located on the ground, second or third floors and have terraces or balconies with views over the landscaped garden toward the beach and ocean. Rooms are furnished in either a sky, seagrass, shell, or vibrant Nassau colour scheme. The stone floors have custom area rugs, and the dark-stained handcrafted furnishings feature impressive white painted millwork and British Colonial-inspired decorative castings and trims. The windows are framed by plantation shutters. Rooms feature either one king or two double beds and can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child per room.
The
Beachfront Rooms: are located just a few steps from the white sandy beach of Emerald Bay. Ground or second floor rooms have sweeping views overlooking the beach and the brilliant turquoise waters of the bay. Rooms are furnished in a variety of palettes of sky, seagrass, shell or Nassau vibrant colours. The stone floors have custom area rugs, and the dark-stained handcrafted furnishings feature impressive white painted millwork and British Colonial-inspired decorative castings and trims. The windows are framed by plantation shutters. Rooms feature either one king or two double beds and can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child in the king bedded rooms or 3 adults and 1 child, or 2 adults and 2 children in the two double bedded rooms. Beachfront rooms are 550 sq.ft. (51m
2)
Four Seasons Junior SuitesThe 36 Junior Suites lend themselves to families, as they measure a spacious 900 sq. ft. (84 m2) and include a comfortable living room with a second bathroom leading off the living room. They may also be converted into two-bedroom 1,375 sq. ft. (128 m2) suites.
Beachfront SuitesThe six One- and Two-Bedroom Beachfront Suites provide ample space for privacy and relaxation. Idyllically located, these 1,252 sq. ft. (116m2) suites feature a living room, a dining room, two bathrooms and a large private terrace. A comprehensive entertainment unit includes a stereo-sound television with a DVD/CD player. They may also be converted into a two-bedroom suite, measuring 1,832 sq. ft (170 m2), with a 511 sq. ft. terrace (47 m2).
Royal VillaDesigned for gracious island living, this secluded beachfront three-bedroom, two-story private residence measures 4,438 sq. ft. (412 m2) and offers 360º views. Surrounded by tropical greenery, the Royal Villa has a private pool and a 1,338 sq. ft. (124 m2) courtyard patio, perfect for al fresco breakfasts and late night cocktails. On the ground floor, two spacious bedrooms (one with a king bed, one with two double beds) are linked by the living room and dining room. There is also a comprehensive entertainment unit featuring a flat screen television and surround-sound acoustics. Each bedroom and the living room have their own bathroom. Upstairs, the king-bedded master bedroom occupies the entire second floor. Beside its own ensuite marble bathroom, it has a walk-in closet, a den and two balconies that measure 260 sq. ft. (24 m2) for undisturbed relaxation.
In-Room Amenities:
- 100% cotton oversized bath towels
- CD and DVD players
- Cotton bathrobes
- Down pillows
- Duvets
- Hair dryer
- In-room safe
- Iron and ironing board
- Lighted make-up mirror
- Non-allergenic bath soap
- Non-allergenic pillows available
- Refrigerated private bar
- Tea/coffee maker
- Twice-daily housekeeping service
- Multi-line telephones, one with a speaker, data port and voice mail
- Pay-per-view television
- Cable TV
- Clock Radio
- Complimentary newspaper
- Fax machines available
- High-speed e-mail and Internet access
- Voice mail
- Twice-daily housekeeping service
GUEST SERVICES AND FACILITIES:
- 24-hour multilingual concierge services
- 24-hour business services
- 24-hour in-room dining
- Babysitting services
- Complimentary children's amenities and services
- Complimentary laundry facilities, accessible throughout the Resort
- Complimentary overnight shoeshine
- Full-service salon
- One-hour pressing
- Overnight laundry and dry-cleaning service
- Non-smoking rooms available
- Smoke detectors in every room
- Umbrellas
- Valet parking
WELCOME AMENITIES AND VIP GIFTS:Special arrangements can be made for clients to purchase welcome amenities for their VIP guests.
FOOD & BEVERAGE CATERING:The gourmet cuisine of Italy is showcased with Four Seasons classic flair in a unique Bahamian setting. In addition, the Resort's chefs take full advantage of the rich diversity of island cuisine, to create inspired menus that include traditional seafood favourites and delicacies made from tropical fruits, vegetables and spices. Those looking for complete privacy may enjoy imaginative Four Seasons In-Room Dining, 24 hours a day.
RESTAURANTS:Il Cielo
Located in the Resort's main building, the enchanting Bahamian ambience of The Restaurant is accentuated by foldaway glass panels and screens to create a light and airy (and air-conditioned) experience, backdropped by views over the pools and the ocean. On the menu, a wide selection of authentic Italian dishes and fresh, locally caught seafood are stylishly prepared, and accompanied by offerings from an impressive wine cellar. Il Cielo offers menus that rotate on a daily basis and include a variety of vegetarian dishes and an inspired selection selection of nutritionally balanced, healthier fare. A children's menu is also available. Seats: 180.
23° Restaurant
The newly completely remodeled Seabreeze Restaurant now called 23°, 23° being the latitude of the Tropic of Cancer which bisects the Exumas, focuses on the creation of a chic stylish dining venue that provides an attractive and comfortable place to dine, with a focus on pan-Asian cuisine. The new design of the restaurant involves a variety of treatments that has resulted in a complete transformation of the space. Painted in three primary colours, Sunset Gold, Sea Foam Green and Sky Blue, the entire space provides a a colourful and appealing appearance. Seats: 136, and 19 at the bar. The 23° Restaurant offers a tasty selection of casual fare, including salads & pizzas (prepared in a wood-burning pizza oven) as well as grilled & wok specialties and is open for lunch & dinner.
Ting'm
Located on the beachfront, Ting'm is a sheltered open-air bar and restaurant that offers guests stunning views of Emerald Bay. Enjoy a midday break or delight in romantic cocktails at sunset. Ting'm specialises in local Bahamian dishes, including conch fritters, lobster poppers and a wide range of tropical coktails. A children's menu is available.
Il Cielo Lounge
Adjacent to The Restaurant, the Lobby Lounge is a perfect spot for relaxing over a quiet drink, a snack or Afternoon Tea. Seats: 30 inside, 20 outside.
| Food and Beverage | Hours of Operation |
| Il Cielo |
| Dinner | 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm |
| | Sea Breeze Grill |
| Breakfast | 7:00am - 11.30am |
| Breakfast Buffet | 7:00 am - 11:00am |
| Lunch | 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm |
| Light Fare | 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm |
| Dinner | 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
| Buffet Dinner | 6:00pm - 9:30pm |
| | Ting'm |
| Lunch | 11:30am - 5.30pm |
| Dinner | 5:30pm - Sunset |
| | Il Cielo Lounge | |
| Light Fare | 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm |
| | In-Room Dining | 24-Hour In-Room Dining |
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS:Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay offers the complimentary Kids For All Seasons program for children between 5 and 12 years old. Children under five are welcome to use the facilities, under direct supervision of their parents. Bedtime milk and cookies are offered every night, and a child-sized terry cloth bathrobe is provided for the duration of their stay. Special facilities and services are available for families, including disposable baby bottles, baby toiletries, disposable diapers, strollers, pacifiers, thermometers, play pens, vaporizers, highchairs, bibs, rubbersheets, baby carriers, infant bathtubs and a children's menu. Babysitting services are available through the Concierge.
COMPLIMENTARY ACTIVITIES:Outdoor activities include croquet and beach volleyball, nature hikes, a playground & putting green. Sand shovels and buckets for sand castle building and Frisbees are available for younger children, while children aged 14 and over may also use non-motorized water-sports equipment. Indoor activities range from Bahamian arts and crafts to story telling, board games and videos. Specialty nights such as Survivor Night, Pirate Night, Sponge Bob Night and Movie Night include snacks and prizes. There is a children's pool, a shaded outdoor recreation area and an indoor play area.
BUSINESS SERVICES:The multilingual Concierge service will provide business services that meet the need of every guest, around the clock. Computers, printers, fax machines, high-speed Internet connection, a photocopier and a wide range of secretarial services are all available in the Business Centre. Airline reservations and transfers, worldwide courier service, overhead projectors, screens and office equipment rental can also be arranged.
Other business services offered by the Resort include:
- Currency exchange (not all currencies)
- Direct dial, multi-line telephone in every guest room
- High speed Internet access in every guestroom, suite and poolside cabana
- Personalized voice mail
- In-room fax hook-up available
- Daily newspapers in the Business Centre
- 13,022 sq. feet (1,210 m2) of versatile indoor meeting and function space, with an additional 12,000 sq. feet (1,115 m2) of outdoor function space for garden and beach events
RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:On-Site Spa
The expansive spa occupies 14,510 sq. ft. (1,348 m2) on two floors and a 15,976 sq. ft. (1,484 m2) outdoor Spa Garden. Asian and Western philosophies have been carefully integrated with a series of uniquely indigenous massage and body treatments to promote the art of well-being. Treatments may be enjoyed outdoors in private cabanas, in a couple's treatment room or in the privacy of your room. In between sessions, the tranquil Spa Garden provides a peaceful enclave, with three hot whirlpools and two cold plunge pools, chaise lounges and a shady area for light refreshments.
Health Club
Open daily from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, the Health Club's 1,920 sq. feet (178 m
2) of fitness facilities includes a fully equipped gymnasium, sauna, steam room and a whirlpool. Personal training sessions can be arranged with the Centre's certified trainers, and consistent with the Spa's philosophy of mind-and-body wellness, complimentary yoga classes are available.The Centre's state-of-the-art equipment include:
- Cardiovascular machines
- free weights
- Lifecycles
- StairMasters
- Treadmills
- Golf
Four Seasons Golf Club Great Exuma at Emerald Bay is a magnificent 18-hole, 6,880-yard, par-72 championship course designed by golf legend Greg Norman. It offers more oceanfront fairways than any other comparable seaside course in North America, with six signature holes on the perimeter of Emerald Bay's scenic peninsula, overlooking sweeping vistas of the Bahamas' turquoise waters. Winding through seaside dunes, mangrove preserves and a rocky peninsula, the unique course is appreciated by enthusiasts from amateurs to scratch golfers.
Pool
Relax with a cool drink beside one of the two free-form pools - either the Active Pool, with its landscaped pool deck and private canvas cabanas, or the Quiet Pool. Cabanas at both pools are equipped with telephones and Internet access. Turtle Pond is a third, smaller pool, with shallow depths ranging from 6" to 32", for the use of children.
Strolling and sunning
The Resort's expansive stretch of powdery-soft white sand is the perfect spot for these relaxing activities, which are further enhanced by Four Seasons benchmark of chilled towels and cool water spritzes.
Tennis
Avid tennis players will appreciate the four Har-Tru tennis courts at the Resort's Tennis Centre and Club House. The courts are lit for night play. A Four Seasons tennis pro and staff will organize private lessons, group clinics and tournaments.
Water sports
An extensive range of complimentary non-motorized water sport activities, with instruction when desired, includes sailboarding, kayaking, sailing and coral reef snorkelling. Fishing, diving, private boat rentals and sea excursions are also available.
Off-Site
Sport Fishing
Renowned for offering more fight per pound than any other fish alive, the infamous bonefish are indigenous to Bahamian waters, and large ones, some up to 10 pounds, are abundant in the shallow waters around Great Exuma. For big game anglers, the deepwater Emerald Bay Marina - adjacent to the Resort - offers easy access to some of the region's best deep-sea fishing.
Cycling and scooters
Only 40 miles (64 km) long, the even terrain of Great Exuma lends itself to exploring. The Concierge will arrange either complimentary bicycles or rentals of motorized scooters for guests wishing to gain a more intimate perspective of the island's natural wonders at their own speed.
Diving and Snorkelling
The waters around the Exumas offer some of the world's most famous underwater caves, which may be enjoyed by both novice and experienced divers. Within crystal clear waters, the magnificent underwater world reveals a colourful world of parrotfish and queen angelfish, barracuda and southern stingray. Experienced divers may explore the blue holes - extensive underwater systems that date back to the last ice age.
Nautical activities
A wide array of trips are available from the marina. Full or partial-day fishing charters, sailing trips to surrounding cays, guided "eco-trips" to see the area's natural wonders, sunset cruises and sport fishing tournaments may all be arranged.
Seasonal activities and festivities
The Cruising Regatta and the Family Island Regatta take place in March and April respectively. The annual celebrations are held at Elizabeth Harbour in George Town and are accompanied by street festivals, bonfire parties, arts and crafts shows and special programs for children. Starting December 26, Junkanoo is the mardi-gras-like national festival of the Bahamas, with colourful street parades, performances and dancing.