Four Seasons to boost Exuma economy

By Mindell Small

Guardian Staff Reporter

With its rooms already sold out for Christmas, the newest five-star resort in the country, The Four Seasons at Emerald Bay, opened its doors for business Monday.

The beachfront resort overlooking the crescent-shaped bay is located in Great Exuma, just 300 miles southeast of Miami where many of its initial guests flew form.

It features 219 rooms inclusive of 140 large guest rooms, 43 luxurious suites and 36 executive suites. The executive suites offer a separate living room and two full bathrooms.

The property also has an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a fitness centre, a full service spa, two large swimming pools, a children's play pool, scuba diving, snorkelling services, a casino, restaurants, shops, a lounge and large indoor and outdoor meeting areas.

Among resort officials at Monday's opening were general manager Ramesh Sadhwani, who said that the hotel had been holding a number of reservations since the summer and is now booked for the holidays. Mr. Sadhwani, a multi-national hotelier, previously oversaw the $4-million renovation of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa and also spent four years at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.

The Exuma resort faced several setbacks this year in opening. Its management however, reiterated that the delays were construction related and had nothing to do with the upgrade of the Exuma International Airport; presently underway and not scheduled to be completed until year's end. The first opening-day setback occurred in March, when its completion date was pushed to July. In July, the date was moved to early October, and then moved again to Nov.1st.

Now, the luxury facility is well underway for business, said CEO Kevin Clemente. He explained that Exuma is poised for major economic growth as the $300 million resort represents the largest investment on the island.

Exuma's economy has been based primarily on farming and fishing with tourism playing a much smaller part. The 120-mile long island archipelago, with a population of only about 4000, is a prime cruising ground for yachters.

Emerald Bay is among the most scenic of land masses in the island chain and is close to Exuma National Land and Sea Park where visitors can get up close with several rare and exotic species of birds, reptiles, fish and flora. This inspiring 176-square-mile sanctuary, untouched by fishing or hunting, lets one observe native iguanas, commune with tropical birds or view the spectacular sea life while diving or snorkelling.

The resort has a special treat for honeymooners, escorting couples to their own fantasy island and picking them up at an arranged time.

Hiking expeditions and a full range of services for water and air excursions throughout Exuma are also offered. And if desired, guests can purchase flyaway-day excursion to Paradise Island for additional shopping and entertainment.

With the yachtsman in mind, a 17-acre deepwater marina with 100 slips, able to accommodate vessels up to 230 feet long, is being built near the resort. The marina is scheduled for opening in the spring and is within walking distance or a quick shuttle ride from the hotel. It would serve as a point of entry for customs and immigration and provide daily docking and full services, including water, electricity, telephone, cable TV, fuel dock, a Dock master's office, ship's chandlery, a produce market, floating docks and dry dock storage.

The resort's grand opening is set to take place on Dec. 15th, when several government officials will be on hand to tour the property. Prime Minister Perry Christie is expected to cut the ribbon.

The Four Seasons has claimed first position on many prestigious lists. Recent honours include being named to Fortune magazine's list of 100 Best Companies to Work For (for the sixth consecutive year); and the American Automobile Association's (triple A) Five Diamond awards, receiving more than any other hotel company for the 22nd consecutive year.

The company is the world's leading operator of luxury hotels and resorts. With the addition of the Bahamas property, it now manages 59 resorts in 28 countries. 21 other properties worldwide are under construction.

Caption: FOUR SEASONS - Luxury suite at Four Season's Resort, Emerald Bay, Great Exuma

Posted: Tuesday November 25,2003

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