Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/162471
COURTESY SANDALS RESORTS After an overnight stop in Toronto, a painless three-hour flight on WestJet landed me on the steamy tarmac at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the capital city of Nassau on New Providence Island. Within minutes of a friendly customs agent stamping my passport, an even friendlier driver from Sandals Resorts had whisked me into her air-conditioned private car for the short ride to the historic Sandals Royal Bahamian. When the driver swerved out into the bustling traffic, on the left-hand side of the road, I was confused until she reminded me that the islands were once a British colony. In the centuries since Christopher Columbus first landed here back in 1492, the Bahamas has in fact survived rule by Spain, America and England, not to mention forays by notorious pirates, and later Prohibition-era rumrunners. After this turbulent history, you'd think the islands would have had enough of strangers on their shores. But having gained independence at last in 1973, the Bahamas today thrives on its well-developed tourism industry and is renowned for its genuinely warm and welcoming locals. The Bahamian flair for hospitality was in clear evidence, as I was driven through the grand entrance of Sandals Royal Bahamian and greeted enthusiastically by the gathered resort managers and staff, including the attentive personal butler who had been assigned to me for my stay. The resort began its life in the 1940s as the fashionable Balmoral Club, where the Duke and Duchess of Windsor entertained high society after Edward VIII famously gave up the British throne in order to marry the woman he loved, American divorcee Wallis Simpson. While the resort's vintage piano lounge retains much of the décor from the Windsors' day, the royal couple wouldn't recognize the place after Sandals' decades of improvements, including a recent $17.5-million refurbishment. Among its numerous amenities, the Top: An open-air spa all-inclusive, adults-only resort offers two dramatic offers the ultimate swimming pools complete with swim-up bar, 10 indulgence at the Royal Bahamian. restaurants serving a range of international cuisine, a Middle: Fire pits and state-of-the-art fitness centre and full-service spa. All cosy seating add up to facilities are a short walk from the suites and private romantic cocktails under the stars. villas, but staying in is just as sweet, especially in the cool Bottom: Suites in comfort of the newly renovated Balmoral Tower with the newly renovated Balmoral Tower boast its roomy balconies, new tile flooring, solid mahogany stunning sea views. furnishings and sleek plasma TVs. There's even a small private island a five-minute boat ride away, if you're looking to escape for a few hours of quiet beach time. The island is also the site of Sandals' open-air spa, where for a heavenly 90 minutes, I indulged in the resort's signature West Indian Massage as waves crashed on the beach beside me. And, of course, the Royal Bahamian throws weddings. In the business of romance for more than 30 years, Sandals resorts offer a free wedding package when you book six nights or more, including the services of a dedicated wedding planner, ceremony, cocktail reception for six guests, wedding cake and much more. Or, for an additional fee, you can select from Martha Stewart predesigned theme packages to save you from having to plan every ceremony and reception detail yourself. But if you're the type who loves picking out the perfect details, as of this year Sandals provides the ability to customize every aspect of your wedding. Whether R E AL WE D D I N G S . CA pg90-100_Honeymoon.indd 91 91 12-09-24 1:24 PM