As Sandals Resorts International looks to expand its Caribbean footprint and upgrade its resorts, it will now be reconfiguring Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma, Bahamas, into Beaches Exuma, a family-friendly resort.

Beaches is a brand within the Sandals Resorts portfolio.

startingThis move in Exuma means more money will go into the property, and it will be the first beach in the Bahamas. To that end, Sandals Emerald Bay will be closed for this vital construction work starting August 15, 2024.

Sandals Resorts International purchased the vast Four Seasons hotel in Exuma and transformed it into a lavish Sandals all-inclusive couples resort. It has a marina and a championship tennis facility, among other amenities.

Speaking on what this latest move by Sandals means for the Bahamas, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Chester Cooper, declared: “Sandals has been a trusted partner with the Bahamas for many years. As we saw with the redevelopment of Sandals Royal Bahamian on New Providence nearly three years ago, when they invest in a property, it flourishes. We will miss the Sandals Emerald Bay, but we welcome Beaches Exuma, which will be an expanded endeavour that caters to more visitors and employs more Bahamians. Exuma is my home, and I’ll be with her every step of this journey.”

Back in 2009, then founder and Chairman of Sandals Gordon “Butch” Stewart bought the 500-acre Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma on Emerald Bay. It was shuttered and had been in receivership since 2007.Four Seasons had invested over US$300 million in the resort, and it employed more than 500 people.

With 190 oceanfront suites, Sandals immediately sunk US$12 million in renovations into the resort. It houses an 18-hole Greg Norman golf course, one of the biggest Red Lane spas in the chain, and the biggest Jacuzzi in the Bahamas. In the first decade of a new century, it became Sandals’ 14th resort as the Jamaican-based hotel group continued to grow across the Caribbean.

Since Chairman Gordon “ Butch” Stewart died and was succeeded by his son Adam Stewart, the new Chairman has continued in expansion mode, with Sandals Dunns River in Jamaica, Sandals Royal Curacao, Sandals St Vincent, and the Grenadines all taking place over the last three years. It has also redeveloped Sandals Royal Bahamian, upgrading it and adding more amenities.

Speaking about the latest project in Exuma, Bahamas, Adam Stewart explained: “Exuma was made for families, and with more than 6,000 feet of shoreline, the new Beaches Exuma will be a gateway to discovering the incomparable beauty of this part of the Bahamas.

“At the core of every great family vacation is the creation of memories so magical they last a lifetime. For more than two decades, I’ve cherished every moment I’ve spent together with my family along the lively shores of Exuma, where my own children have grown up among one of nature’s most inspiring playgrounds, from swimming pigs, majestic sea turtles, sandbars and so much more.”