My wife and I just spent a week at the Emeraude hotel (all inclusive package). For the character of the hotel in general. The rooms are of an resonable size, air-conditioned and have a secure safe, shower, toilet and basin.
The reception area is open plan with a few very large comfortable chairs to sit in while the staff take care of your needs, book you in and take your luggage to your room. They have two pools the smaller of the two is slightly colder, but both well maintained. Pool loungers , are hot property so if you are going to sit by the pool for the day get there early.
The resturant is large and open with a high wooden beams and fans for those warmer days, and french doors that open at the back and small open roofed gardens to let the evening air in.
The bar area is a huge lapa with a long wooden bar fully stocked, dance floor including a set of disco lights for the party and entertainment evenings. Next to this is an area with chairs and table to sit at when enjoying your evening cocktails. There is also small "games" room which has a pool table, ping pong table and a soccer table.
Now onto the staff and service.Ravi and Vishaal really managed the hotel professionally so that everything runs smoothly. The night we arrived we were delayed at customs so only made it to the hotel at 11:30pm, They had kept the resturant and bar open until we arrived I would say that is going the extra mile. With my wife being vegetarian they specifically spoke to us on the night we arrived that should there not be a sufficent variety of food for her that we simply needed to ask the head chef and he would provide anything we wanted.
The two bartenders Samy and Joe provided excellent service were polite and made every effort to make the stay enjoyable. Well I can only speak for us, but they learnt our names, knew exactly what we drank and made sure the glasses were never empty. but at the same time respected our privacy and didnt hang over our shoulders like vultures on a kill.
The head Waiter Jimmy co-ordinated the restaurant even when the hotel was at almost full capacity we are talking over 100 guests arriving for a meal, on the same note the chefs were excellent in anticipating the demand at any given time. There were four components to the main meal self-service section that were kept in warmers, this would typically be rice, potato, a lamb or chicken meal, an array of Sautéd vegetables. you would then have the area where the chefs performed thier magic, you have choices of pasta, stir-fry, and grilled fish, everything from marlin to catch of the day. There is also a salad bar available, and then of course the dessert section. If you are a lover of red meat and pork you need to know that its not served very often, and this is not only at the hotel but all over the island it comes at a hefty price.
There were two more waiters Coco and Sarita who showed such a professional and enthusiastic service, They never stopped providing the beer, house wines and softdrinks which were on tap, as well as topping your glass with ice cold water.
The beach is crystal white sands and you get to it just by crossing the road and walking a few meters beneath pine trees. The hotel has a few lapa's built exclusively for the guests, There is also a staff member and security guard who watch over you, and should you need a drink you simply put up your service flag and the staff member gets it and bring it to you. in the sea itself take the suggeston and wear the plastic shoes available from the gift shop there are loads of urchins in the water on the rocky areas.
Overall the hotel offers in my opinion five star treatment at a reasonable price. And spoil yourself take the all inclusive package it really saves you in the end, 3 meals a days and no cost involved with soft drinks, wine, beer and most of the cocktails.
Just for a side mention for the South Africans out there, there is a memorial for the flight and crew of the SA 295 Helderburg if you just walk down the beach (south) towards the town of Belle Mare.