May 1999 Table
of Contents
THE DAY OF THE DOLPHIN
by Bill Durrell
Rarely, anywhere, does one find a resort created as meticulously and in such harmony
with its surroundings as the new Dolphin Beach Resort on Guana Cay. Consisting of
a renovated three-storey old home, pool, gift shop/office and five newly constructed
guest cottages, the resort is full to capacity less than a year after its opening.
The brainchild of Kent Smith, constructed by Charles Sands, the complex is nestled
into the bluff that overlooks the ocean. Their property runs sea to sea with a dock
on Fishers Bay, a healthy stones throw north of the Guana Resort. Three more cottages
are to be built in the near future, completing the complex.
A property owner from Treasure Cay, who spent a three day retreat in one of the cottages,
reported the food to be excellent, the service impeccable, and the energy level of
the staff high in a low key way.
A tour of the facilities reflected the creative design, furniture selection and colour-scheme
talents of co-manager Nancy McDaniel. Nancy was recruited for the managerial job
after spending three years as a teacher in Hope Town. The other manager is her husband Bruce who worked for Sea Spray, also in Hope town.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served to lodgers and visitors. The menu is varied,
offering traditional Bahamian and Stateside dishes. Cottages and rooms in the main
lodge can be rented from nightly to monthly. The cottages have basic cooking facilities. Town is about a ten minute walk or even quicker if one rents a golf cart or hitches
a ride.
This place is a great escape for those wishing some time away from the rigours of
mainland living or a break from the sea if travelling about by boat. The cottages
are connected by slightly raised wooden paths that ramble through a forest of natural
habitat. In many cases the trees were left uncut and protrude magically through holes in
the paths.
If you have ever wondered what the context for ecotourismn is, a visit to the Dolphin
Beach Resort is a must.
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