Bahamas Luxury Resort Plan Faces Court Challenge

The $200 million Rosewood resort is planned for East Sampson Cay, a 124-acre private island in the Exumas. The developer, Miami-based Yntegra Group, broke ground in September 2025, with a projected opening in 2028. Plans include 33 bungalows, a wellness sanctuary, and two marinas with 69 slips for yachts up to 120 feet. The project is projected to create a $1.6 billion economic impact over the long term, generating 250 local jobs during construction and over 500 permanent roles annually once operational. The developer also plans to build a 150-unit employee housing facility to mitigate pressure on the local housing market. The legal challenge, a judicial review filed in the Supreme Court, questions the Certificate of Environmental Clearance granted by the government. Opponents, including the Save Exuma Alliance, argue the project is too dense and that the dredging required for the marinas will destroy a 15-acre seagrass meadow and vital coral reefs. The Bahamas National Trust has echoed these concerns, stating the development's scale "far exceeds what is appropriate for Sampson Cay" and sets a "concerning precedent for unsustainable development." The location of a large service dock in a sensitive area has been a major point of contention, with the Department of Physical Planning initially citing "significant concerns." In response to feedback, Yntegra Group presented revised plans in February 2026, which included reducing the service dock size by a third, decreasing the dredging area, and cutting the size of a seawall and floating dock by nearly half. The developer maintains that only half of the 124-acre island will be developed, with a nursery for up to 14,000 native trees planned. The Save Exuma Alliance, a coalition of local businesses and residents, contends the consultation process was flawed and that the development threatens the area's character, which is popular with tourists for swimming and snorkeling. The owner of the neighboring Turtlegrass Resort and Island Club is part of the alliance and initiated the court proceedings. The developer asserts a commitment to sustainability, aiming for LEED certification and planning for renewable energy to supply at least 30% of the resort's power. Yntegra Group has also emphasized its partnership with Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, which has a record of environmental stewardship and certifications at other properties like the Rosewood Baha Mar.