The Best Resort in Great Exuma, The Bahamas

Travel has changed. 

Increasingly, travelers don’t just want to stay in a destination – they want to live there, even if just for a few days. 

They want to understand the destination in an authentic way. 

That’s turned travelers toward a different kind of luxury. 

Since the pandemic, the trend towards so-called “residential resorts” has only strengthened, as more and more travelers demand the independence and security of residential living at their Caribbean resorts. 

That means being able to make dinner one night; to have the space for multiple generations; to have the seclusion of a residence with the quality and amenities of a traditional resort. 

And that’s exactly what you get at Grand Isle, the residential resort on Great Exuma that’s the island’s best place to stay. 

The resort, set on Emerald Bay, has a mix of 78 villas, ranging from one to four bedrooms. 

All of them are wonderfully appointed: think Sub Zero refrigerators, whirlpool spa baths; Wi-Fi and a pervasive tropical vibe. 

And while it’s a residential community, the amenities are vast: that means a pair of pools, including the spectacular, 30,000-square-foot 23° North Beach Club, set right on the sand’s edge. 

That’s along with the excellent poolside Palapa restaurant, with an international menu featuring a focus on fresh Bahamian catches.

And then there’s the Seastar Spa, home to Elemis-branded treatments and even “mini mani” and pedi treatments for younger guests. 

The party piece, though, is the Greg Norman-designed Emerald Reef, managed by shared with the adjacent Sandals Emerald Bay all-inclusive resort. 

It’s the back, which wraps around the villas at Grand Isle, which is the star, a remarkable stretch of windy, cliffside, links-style golf with dramatic ocean views.

Of course, Grand Isle is also a jumping-off point, a place from which to discover the marvels of Great Exuma, whether you’re bone fishing in White Bay off the southwestern coast of the island or finding tucked-away beaches like Coco Plum and Jolly Hall. 

It all adds up to a rather special place to stay, one that marries the amenities of a traditional resort with the comforts of your temporary Bahamian home. 

For more, visit Grand Isle. And see more in the latest CJ Video at the top of the page.

— CJ