Catching crabs is one of the many native activities you can enjoy while staying at the Emerald Palm Resort in Andros.

Published On:Wednesday, August 05, 2009

By CHESTER ROBARDS

THE BEST CONCIERGE in the world can get you anything you want, from the most exclusive restaurant reservation to that soft brand of nose tissue not sold in the hotel's sundries store, but what concierge will step on the back of a black crab while you conquer your first crab-catch?

There are no formal, badged concierges at the Emerald Palms Resort in Driggs, Hill Andros and you won't find white gloved door men brandishing umbrellas and maps - out of the gate it's either a left or a right and the road seldom deviates.

At Emerald Palms exists the hospitality all Bahamian resorts and hotels should be known for... but alas oft are not!

From the cool welcome drink of tangy guava punch to the warm front desk reception, the resort's staff engenders cordiality.

The owner of Emerald Palms can be seen continually throughout the day tending to the general upkeep of the property and in between, chatting with guests about the day's activities.

He almost seems the mayor of a 10 acre city.

The property sits on lush acreage with 22 pastel coloured cottages nestled in a thick of coconut trees.

Each cottage invites romance with a raised king sized bed peering out at the Horizon through the entrance's double doors. The kiddies were not left out at Emerald Palms, with 10 of the cottages outfitted with a second bedroom.

Italian marble floors, canopies and Jacuzzi tubs all accent the quaintly romantic villas.

Next to the property's pool are 18 club house rooms all with their own porches and all with a view of the beautiful East Andros shore that spills out into the tongue of the ocean and one of Bahamas' most beautiful reef systems.

Those reefs can be accessed by canoes kept on Emerald Palm's property for guest use. Even when rough surf threatens a beach day one can simply canoe out to a sand bank far from breaking waves - but be sure to carry a good buddy.

On property guests can also borrow bicycles and ride to the Northern shore of the Southern end of South Andros.

Along the way, on the left side of the road, is a small rest stop called 'Muddasick' Bar. The proprietors constructed a bar out of pine and thatch, where they serve up some of the best conch salad that side of the reef and the owners constantly tell fables about Andros and about each other.

One cloudless night with more stars shining that can ever be seen in Nassau, an impromptu party broke out at Muddsick Bar, with all of Emerald Palms' guests and owner sharing in fresh spoils of the sea caught by three of those same guests and cooked by Muddasick's staff. That is indeed the magic of the island.

The journey to Driggs Hill takes a speedy 15 minute plane ride from Nassau into Congo Town Airport then just a five minute drive from there.

Emerald Palm's allure blends with charming settlement without the social borders that seem to be understated at large city resorts. This resort is truly a home away from home...