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Talk about secluded
luxury!!! Club Med has recently re-opened Columbus Isle on the island of San
Salvador in the Bahamas. The Club Med team actually re-named the
island Columbus Isle in their marketing in order to give San Salvador
a more dominant presence among the out islands of the Bahamas. As the
largest employer on the island, I am sure the locals did not mind
being designated as the first spot Columbus landed in his search for
the treasures of the ancient world.
The resort is absolutely fantastic as a total get-a-way for groups,
couples and incentives alike. A two-minute ride from the airport
brings seclusion and Club Med style and sophistication to this
beautiful island paradise. You feel more like Robinson Crusoe than
Christopher Columbus as you gaze across the resort to the mixed hues
of blue and green
of the ocean and beyond. The only natives you will encounter here are
the staff of the resort and your fellow sophisticated travelers.
The rooms are all facing the beach or each other and contain the
basics needed for an enjoyable few days away from the rest of the
world. The baths are huge with walk-in showers and you can either have
King or Double/Double bedding in your unit. Each has a spacious
balcony for taking in the breezes from the sea.
As is a Club Med tradition, the food and beverage outlets are many and
varied. Each has a distinctive architectural significance and the food
and beverages are never ending. Club Med offers a level of service
which is quite different from the rest of the world, but works for
them. Instead of having actual servers, a dedicated group of
restaurant staff assists in selecting a choice table and keeping
everything neat and tidy. When you want another glass of wine or
another beer (both are included in the normal fare) grab a bottle or a
pitcher and the staff will bring extra glasses or whatever you need.
When it is time to go for that second entrée or dessert, you will
return to a table, which has been cleared and cleaned. This may not be
what we spoiled incentive buyers are accustomed to in the terms of
service, but in this relaxed and casual environment, it fits just
fine.
Another Club Med tradition is the entertainment. Each staff member has
another hidden talent, which only comes out as night. You scuba
instructor sings blues and plays guitar….your bartender dances a mean
tango, etc, etc. Club Med has been very successful in making their
staff your family away from home. Each village has it's own
personality, its own pluses and minuses, but you can always be assured
of evenings filled with light, but professional entertainment. Of
course, you can participate or just enjoy as I did.
Club Med Columbus Isle is not for everyone; but if you have an
incentive for young or young at heart winners who would feel
uncomfortable at the Ritz, consider this beautiful island paradise,
just 2 hours from Miami by jet.
Columbus Isle Fact Sheet:
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264 Bungalows
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3 Restaurants
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3 Bars plus late
night Disco
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Entertainment
Pavilion (Could be used for meetings)
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Large swimming
pool. Bocce ball, tennis courts, basketball court, scuba, snorkel,
kayaks
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Sailboards and
Hobie cats, local excursions and entertainment staff.
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Massage and work
out rooms
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Water skiing and
archery range
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