Fran,

It's true. Greg Norman did the golf course. Development also includes lots for homes. Believe the Four Seasons will be a beauty like the Nevis one. Can't wait till it's ready to go. Should be a luxe facility within easy access distance from Miami and east coast gateways.
Look at www.emeraldbayresort.com

Sad to hear of it. Huge developments in the out islands is a disappointment. Hopefully, Exuma won't lose its seclusion and laid back atmosphere. Robert

I'm with you, Robert. What's so wonderful about the out islands is their lack of large resorts. I'm sure the Four Seasons will be beautiful, but a large, chain hotel/resort is not what I go to the Bahamas out islands for.

Well, I for one (and many others) am looking forward to this resort VERY MUCH for the pure luxury of it all and, "notfran," I'm sure it will be far more beautiful than the one in Nevis, at least from what I've seen of the preliminary sketches!

Huge hotels on remote outer islands will ruin the true beauty and laid back culture. The tiny straw market with a few plait ladies under the huge almond tree in Georgetown's town center will grow more crowded; seeing the chickens scratching around on the treelawn of the pink government building, and the pig sleeping in the foyer of the education department; strolling through the small downtown area and venturing into tiny shops for mangoes and other vegies will be crowded; eating at remote "restaurants" in the back of locals houses with you being the only customer, and getting to know the cook's children and personal problems; no lines, no waiting; renting a boston whaler and snorkeling in isolated patch reefs and venturing onto Exumas outlying cays like Robinson Crusoe, leaving only your footprints in the sand; renting a car and visiting a dozen beaches with no one around except you and your family; no jet skis and banana boats, or para sailors seeking artificial enjoyment, etc. etc. etc. Nope, those days will be gone. Before, you find your own entertainment and don't need anything scheduled. The local culture and cherished beliefs overshadow all, and you must bow to their ways and laid back mannerisms. That will all change with huge resorts, something most tourists to Nassau and Grand Bahama don't comprehend. Robert

Robert, quite frankly, your so-called "dream vacation" sounds absolutely HIDEOUS, not only to myself but to many others who probably wouldn't even respond. Straw market? Chickens? Pig? Cook's children? I don't go on a luxury vacation seeking this kind of "lonely planet" nonsense!! If the Four Seasons weren't being built I wouldn't even CONSIDER visiting Great Exuma and the beautiful waters there, not at all!! And like the resort on Nevis, this will be the ONLY small, luxury resort on the island, hardly placing a dent in your "laid back," hippie-type vacation dream!!!

We all have our own belief systems about what great and hideous vacations are. Laid back, non-touristry, uncrowded get-a-ways are welcomed by many people, not just an abnormal minority. To say that Jackie Kennedy Onassis or Jessica Tandy, and many wonderful writers like Ernest Hemmingway, who strolled unmolested under the huge almond tree in the downtown square of Georgetown, Exuma were abnormal is a little narrow-minded. I guess, eventually, all the out islands will lose their local and individual culture, which differs from Long Island, Exuma, San Salvador, Abaco, Eleuthera, Inagua, etc. The local people can now become caterers providing good service to the new wave of tourists, who will demand good service and a planted smile from them, so they can get their money's worth. I suggest you stay in Nassau, Paradise Island or Grand Bahama where the big cities and crowds are. Imagine, goiing to a nice rural area of the U.S., and constructing a multi-million dollar resort, then hiring all the local people. You would huddle in the resort and never see the real rural America, nor the wonderful attitude of the people to expand your own consciousness. Too bad, you will miss the real Exuma. Robert

What nice posts, Robert. You gave that troll too much respect.

I think there are enough out islands in the Bahamas to accomodate a few upscale developments in order to lure different types of travelers. While I personally would not stay at the Four Seasons in Nevis, I also don't think that it has "ruined" the island. Now when a cruise ship starts to drop anchor, that's when you really have to worry.

Patty; The term "upscale" bothers me. Exuma already has incredibly upscale resorts, like the Hotel Peace & Plenty, and their beach inn outside of Georgetown. The brick and mortar has soul, and naturally fit into the out island landscape. In fact, the bar at the downtown P & P has a mural and is constructed from the Peace & Plenty ship full of slaves and ex British Loyalists who fled the US after our Revolutionary War. In fact, if you delve into the phone book in Georgetown, you will notice only a few names which appear hundreds of times, both blacks and whites, who are proud descendents of this slave ship. Although the new resort will never have the "upscale" atmosphere of the original wooden built Hotel P & P in downtown Georgetown, which was frequently visited by Prince Phillips of England, I have to disagree with you on the long term effects on the culture and the many of us who want a laid back vacation. I have visited Nassau many times, and enjoy. But, now and then, my wife and I, after a hectic few months on the job in the states, want to go somewhere totally foreign and different, that's only a 3 hour jet from our world in northern Ohio. Anyhow, I hope the Bahamas will continue to offer both options for parents and adventurers. It's neat to bring kids to a world where they must create their own entertainment. A young child can find more enjoyment in learning how to crack open a coconut discovered on a deserted beach, or follow a tiny live conch while snorkeling in a isolated cay, then he/she can find in a $300 swingset or computer program. It's good for them... and their parents, to discover this. I've seen many preschool kids in the out islands, befriend same age Bahamian kids, and learn from each other...adults, too. I really think we as stressed out Americans have more to learn from out island cultures, than they do from us. I hope it stays that way. Robert

Again, I really can't conceive of the Exumas becoming ANYTHING like Nassau or Grand Bahama Island because of one beautifully planned and executed luxury resort. You are living in a pure fanstasy world! Of course many of us desire a relaxing, laid back vacation away from the crowds, etc., including myself, and this certainly CAN be achieved by staying at one luxury resort on Great Exuma, which will be a TRUE luxury resort, not the below par Peace/Plenty which you describe and seem to worship! Did you ever hear of Cap Juluca and Malliouhana on Anguilla, both of which I have stayed at, by the way? Well, it doesn't appear that these two luxury resorts have spoiled or ruined Anguilla in any way, shape or form!! I really don't think your complaints are justified at all! And by the way, don't bother throwing out anymore celebrity names to me because I am NOT impressed with any of them and couldn't care less where they stay and would actually prefer NOT to see them! But I CAN guarantee you this: All of them will be RUNNING to stay at the new Four Seasons -- mark my word!!!

There's little doubt that you could perceive Exuma becoming like Nassau, due to your already proven linear mind. Your arguments stem from asking me if I'd been to Anguilla, etc. Yes, I have. As for the celebs which don't impress you who have visited Exuma; I truly believe some, like Prince Phillip, would prefer the downtown P & P. You'll notice I didn't use the term celebs, and the well-known people I did mention have substance to them, and are not the shallow "celebs" which you refer to. I'm sure you're type of idolized celeb will frequent your accomodation. Quite frankly, when Jessica Tandy decided to buy a nice, non-ostentatious villa outside Georgetown, whe wouldn't frequent the plush hotel, which will ruin Exuma's laid-back ambience and culture. And, I have noticed along with others, that such alien intrusions do more harm than you think, especially the golfing clubs. Condos spring up faster than McDonalds around them. So, once again, I disagree with your thinking, at least the small bit of your debate that stayed on track. There are many other issues that your narrow-mindedness, or naiveness, ignores. The environment is harmed as well. Tourists love deep water grouper, and the populations are rapidly dwindling due to a huge increase in demand. True, northern Exuma has a no fish zone, and the populations of grouper and spiny lobster are increasing there, but they will be overfished to death off the coastline of Georgetown. Of course, why does my mind feel this is no concern of yours? It probably is not, so, why argue with a narrow-minded person on the web. I always told myself to never argue with a moron at cocktail parties, because onlookers couldn't tell who was who. Same here. Goodbye. P.S. Don't order any grouper from the plate. Go down to Miss Nelly...she makes a mean chicken in her kitchen, but she won't tell you her secret recipe for pidgeon peas & rice...her mama dreamed it up in the early 1900's. Robert

Yes, GOODBYE, Robert, and perhaps you can find a nice, isolated spot out in the South Pacific somewhere, or if you prefer to stay in the Caribbean I suppose you can start with the Grenadines where I'm sure you'll find plenty of nice, plump grouper to your liking! Oh, and don't forget to renew your subscription to Lonely Planet and replay your Joan Baez recordings over and over again!!!

I'm find amusement in your narrow-mindedness and sterotyping. So far, with very little information, you've concluded I'm a hippy, I like Joan Baez, and I'm a Lonely Planet-type. Quite frankly, I have no idea of what "Lonely Planet" is, since I don't watch many TV shows. When my wife and I visit out islands, we meet mostly businessmen/women, and professional people like ourselves from the states who desire a nice get-away from their stressful careers to recoup their forces, and find solstice in laid-back places, and enjoy the different sights and sounds, including being awakened each morning but a crowing rooster. This population of people is by no means small. Personally, I think a large number of educated people go for serene and quiet places like the Exumas and other out islands. In conclusion, I don't understand your statement that I must travel to the southern caribbean to find grouper, since many U.S. corporations, and other people who are not biologists(or hippies), are pressuring the Bahamian Government to legislate "no take zones" in the Bahamian waters off of Exuma and New Providence, similar to the ones off Key Largo and other Florida Keys). So, I'm quite sure, due to these enlightened Bahamian visitors, that the grouper population will someday rebound off Exuma. If you do visit the resort, please stay within it's boundaries; the other hotel tourists probably venture into downtown Georgetown, and enjoy the straw market, blend in well with the local Bahamians, and will find entertainment viewing the chickens on the Government House lawn, and the pig dozing in the education building's foyer. Stay in the hotel and gourge on the grouper. Robert

Once one luxury hotel comes in, can others be far behind? I believe the FS is also planning on condos and homesites. There are already so many islands with luxury hotels and lots of tourists. I would just like to see Exuma remain the way it is.

Robert,
You showed a lot of restraint arguing with the troll George. You might have even showed him too much respect.

I am repeatedly amazed at the apoplectic outpourings of some of the posters on this board when they disagree with a point made by another poster.
I understand exactly where Robert is coming from when he waxes poetic about the Exuma he fears will be lost when the development starts. I saw only a bit of the Caribbean he desxribes when I started going to some of the smaller islands back in the '70s.
I'm conflicted about the Emerald Bay resort on Exuma. On the one hand, I feel Robert's pain at his perceived (and also, admittedly, potentially real) loss of a wonderful lifestyle and environment. On the other hand, I'm excited about the pleasures the new Four Seasons reosrt will (I hope) deliver, and which pleasures I look forward to being able to enjoy, myself.
But what really astounds me is the reaction of 'George.' I can see if someone were to disagree with another's viewpoint. That happens all the time. But I guess the cloak of anonymity that surrounds email users and posters on the internet allows people to spit vitriol and make cruel personal attacks, when such behavior in a face to face exchange would brand the attacker as possibly psychotic.
Poor George. It must be a hellish world he inhabits.
Robert, I am empathetic of your view and feeling of loss, although I don't share it as deeply as do you. I guess in an ideal world, your Exuma could continue to thrive, even while the Four Seasons world is able to coexist.

Robert, I have no intention of leaving the resort and exploring the island to your specifications, and I certainly won't be wasting my time eating grouper either, that I can assure you.

Note to "notfran": Don't feel too sorry for me, Dr. Schlessinger, Jr., as I most emphatically DON'T live in your perceived hellish world! As a matter of fact, I live a lifestyle that most people would ENVY and KILL FOR beyond words!!!

Well, it certainly makes me feel better to know that George will not be leaving the resort. That way, he won't antagonize the warm and friendly local population with his imperious attitude (though there's no telling what he will do to the staff at the Four Seasons); ugly Americans will be contained within a limited area.

Contrary to George's belief, lots of people -- many of whom can easily afford what he considers to be much better (including me) -- seek out the simple pleasures of Exuma as it is NOW. George may think this type of travel is hellish, and he is certainly entitled to his opinion, but to insult those who have differing opinions is boorish and arrogant.

To suggest that the Four Seasons will destroy Exuma probably goes too far; but to suggest that nothing will change is naive as well. A project of this magnitude cannot help but change things, but I can only help that it's impact is minimal.

Ah, George. How you protest. And yet every one of your posts just serves to confirm more emphatically the sad existence of your life.

It's good to know there are others who feel like I do about development on Exuma. If the people who stay at the Four Seasons are like the posters who responded to this thread, then I think, despite the addition of the FS, Exuma will be ok (that is, with the exception of George---who I think has probably never left his living room. I am skeptical of anyone who has to tell others that they would envy his lifestyle).

Note to Fran and NotFran: Actually, I'm really NOT as mean spirited as you might think I am, despite my posts. Of course, if Robert were a friend or acquaintance of mine and he was waxing poetically about his beloved Exuma, then my normal (but phony) reaction would probably be along the lines of, "That sounds wonderful, I wish I were there now, glad you had a great trip," blah, blah, blah! But the fact remains that as long as I CAN remain anonymous on this site, then I am NOT going to hold my tongue about how I really feel about the situation at all! And no, I would not speak like that directly to someone's face as I am not that "psychotic" as NoFran might suggest! And whenever I do stay at a resort comparable to the Four Seasons or Ritz I most certainly do NOT order the staff around or act bossy, etc., etc., and I always tip the maids daily. As a matter of fact, I'm really a very easy going and complacent person, belive it or not, and am actually APPALLED myself at the way I see many Americans behaving, especially the ones with their IDIOTIC baseball caps turned backwards on their heads!! But I still believe in my original contention: I do NOT think that the addition of the Four Seasons on Exuma will be a negative. It hasn't hurt Anguilla or Nevis and I certainly don't think it will damage Exuma in any way, shape or form!

Well, I'm glad your not mean spirited, despite your disdain for people who wear caps backwards. I hope you tip your servants well. Personally, I would hate at an experience on Great Exuma which you apparently seek. Although I have the capital to frequent the plush hotels, I only frequent them occassionally, and like many others, pray they remain scarce in the out islands. My relations with the hotel staff are always personal, and they get to know me and my family as much as we know them. I'll take the Hotel Peace & Plenty over the plush hotels, the oldest hotel on Great Exuma, a remnant sponge market bought by a kind and friendly multi-millionaire family from Cleveland. It's the center of activity of Georgetown, and its tavern is constructed of century-old wood from the slave ship Peace & Plenty,and its fireplace and timbered ceilings are remnants of an old slave market, a great meeting place for people like Jackie Onassis, Prince Phillips, Jack Nicklaus, and King Constantine of Greece. In April when the Old Island Regatta takes over Georgetown, Bahamians come from all over the out islands in their workboats, and compete for three days, the Hotel Peace & Plenty being the hub of activity between local Bahamians and "outsiders" like myself. I've noticed most of the tourists, like myself, blended in and interacted level-to-level with the islanders, and we all became friends. I learned "Best-Kept" secrets, of where to snorkel and scuba, where to find the bonefish flats, neat back roads to explore, and wonderful cays lining Exuma to traverse with my wife and child, pretending we're Robinson Crusoe and family. I learned of Jimmy Hill, about 6 miles north of Georgetown, is where the best swimming is and the largest, emptiest beach imaginable. Oh, wait a minute...I better stop giving Exuma's secrets away. Oh, well. Have fun in your plush hotel, and tip the locals well. Don't get to know them, their children's names, or the best beaches to visit with a rent a car. Yes, I do think the plush hotel with have an impact on the culture of Exuma, in a negative sense. But, for those tourists who like people in general, they will blend in with the Exumans well, and will learn the rest of the "Best Kept" secrets of Exuma, once they gain their trust and establish a mutual, non-pretentious and natural relationship with them. Robert

Yeah, yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah, BORE, BORE BORE!!! Your unremarkable advice really gives me one giant YAWN. And once again, I can assure you, if Jackie O were alive today she would be staying on the top floor of the new, gorgeous Four Seasons -- in the Presidential Suite, naturally!! And once again, you are definitely from the Lonely Planet/Hunter Reno School of Travel!!!

George, you talk in such absolute terms; i.e., "I'm absolutely sure", etc. From her past visits to Georgetown, I don't believe Jackie O would book in at the Presidential Suite. She would sleep on her yatch, and stroll unmolested through downtown Georgetown, mingling with the local Bahamians and chatting with them, learning all about their values and beliefs. That's her style, wherever she visited. The Four Seasons would no doubt turn her off, and she would most likely eat at the downtown Hotel P & P as well. I hope you stay within the confines of the Four Seasons, and do not venture out. They'll have a great mealplan which you must stick around for, so you won't have time to venture out and explore Exuma. For the islanders sake, please don't mingle with them; they'll most likely brush you off. They're an independent group of people and don't act obsequious aroung tourists, they'll most likely brush you off. Incidentallly, many of them wear their baseball caps on backwards. Enjoy your boring stay at the Four Seasons, you'll have plenty of space to yourself, since most of the guests will be renting cars and scooters to see the real Exuma. By the way, who is this disgusting Reno lady, and what is Lonely Planet? You persist, in absolute terms, tying my island experiences with them; I've never heard of either so please advise what and who they are. Enjoy you're unenlightened time time on Exuma. Robert

Of course Jackie O would prefer to stay on her yacht, and so would I if the only place I had to choose was that third rate Peace & Plenty you seem to idolize so much!! Oh, and I can also assure you, yacht or no yacht, Jackie would definitely enjoy the ambience of the new, gorgeous Four Seasons, if only for ONE little night and especially if she chose to eschew her beloved yacht in favor of flying down in her private jet instead, which would more likely be the case anyway, so there is absolutely no doubt that her final destination would be the Four Seasons! And where did you get the impression that I wasn't interested in exploring the island? That's half the fun of visiting many of these islands whether it's the Caribbean or Hawaii. But, of course, my final decision would be based on what I saw AFTER I left the airport, i.e., how decent, appealing and nice the island looked during the drive to my beautiful, new resort! If it's as dismal looking as Anguilla, et al., then NO, I won't be venturing out to explore--no need to!! And before I close I will offer the same advice to you that you so well-intentionally offered me: Just stay completely AWAY from the Four Seasons if it disturbs you that deeply. Don't even bother visiting the property for one, little second, not even for a small PEEK, okay?!? I will leave you peacefully with all of your beloved pigs, chickens and goats!! Thanking you so much in advance!

George; you are hopelessly linear in your thinking. Labeling the Hotel Peace & Plenty in downtown Georgetown and the Beach Inn outside of town as "third rate" will undoubtedly offend many patrons to this board who have frequented Exuma, and stayed there. I guess you just don't understand; many people, like myself, have the money to stay at the Four Seasons, but many also like history, culture, and staying at places where the brick and mortar blend in naturally with the surroundings. The original contention was that the Four Seasons would have an impact on Exuma's existing cultural, and ecological environment, which I believe it will. There's no use getting off track with unreasonable arguments and treating historical places on Exuma as if they were below you. Your defensiveness and egregious assault on the people and culture of Exuma are a mark of a linear and closed mind, one not open to expansionp i.e., simplifying Exuma's fascinating history and culture into a bunch of chickens and pigs, and third rate places like the Hotel P & P. By the way, what is the despised Lonely Planet and who is the moronic Reno lady you keep comparing me to? I would appreciate your enlightening me about them, because if their appalling to you, I'm positive I will embrace both. Thank you in advance for informing me about them. Robert(Lover of Hotel Peace & Plenty).

Robert you sound like a well traveled man with a soul. George, you sound like an investor in the Four Seasons Developement Company or maybe you just like cement. There are 1000's of 4 and 5 star resorts on tropcal Islands, do we really need another? My experience is traveling to 50+ countries on business and for pleasure while enjoying some of the finest hotels. But I give Robert his due as I love what Great Exuma has been. When I first vacationed there, you could reach Georgetown only by private plane or sailboat. There were 2 small hotels with maybe 50 rooms between them, 2 bars and the bartenders were brothers who competed making the best rum drinks, when you arrived ALL the staff would come out front and introduce themselves before you went to you beach front room with no TV, no radio, and no phone or cell service. There was a radio telephone in the office if needed. The staff of the Peace and Plenty would provision our rental skiff with a picnic basket and water sports gear and we would spend the day on the reefs or exploring one of many deserted smaller cays. I am sure the thought of this terrifies George (which is OK), and Robert you were probably at the next table drinking a rum punch and eating conch chowder. When I read the thread with comments from George, Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxis lyrics came to mind...
"They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got til its gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot"