Where To Stay In The Bahamas

With white-sand beaches, azure waters and all-round paradise vibes, your vacation in the Bahamas is the ultimate tropical relaxation. The Bahamas is formed from 700 islands and cays, all of which offer their own unique blend of tropical beauty. Some of these islands and cays are uninhabited, making choosing where to stay in the Bahamas’ populated islands at times tricky.

Consider what you want out of your vacation before booking. There are endless opportunities for scuba diving, snorkelling and water sports across the islands, however specific tourist attractions you want to visit may draw you towards a particular destination and island. Wherever you choose to stay in the Bahamas, you won’t be far from the sandy shores, as there are more than 2000 beaches across the islands. Here are five of the best destinations in the Bahamas for your vacation, with hotels for every price point.

Where To Stay In The Bahamas

Nassau

Nassau is a great Bahamas destination for its tourist-friendly atmosphere, incredible resorts and of course blissful beaches.

The city is the largest in the Bahamas and has an exciting holiday vibe.

Nassau has excellent shopping with Bay Street filled with shops selling everything from clothing and jewellery to authentic and locally made souvenirs in the Straw Market.

If history interests you, learn more about the pirate past of Bahamas at the Pirates of Nassau Museum or head out on one of many tours of the forts still standing around the city.

Where To Stay In Nassau

Luxury: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

Enjoy your Nassau stay in luxury at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, a stunning 4-star resort.

The hotel has six outdoor swimming pools set within tranquil surroundings, and plenty of sun loungers and Balinese-style beds to relax on.

Grand Hyatt has its own private stretch of the beach leading directly to Goodman Bay.

Inside this luxury hotel are beautifully designed bedrooms all equipped with air conditioning, mini bar, private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, and safety deposit boxes as standard.

Many of the bedrooms have views overlooking the pool area or out towards the bay.

There are a range of restaurants to choose from at the hotel, all offering a variety of delicious meals with some specialising in the local cuisine.

To add to your luxury stay, the hotel offers guests a spa, gym and the Racquet Club, a nine-court tennis centre offering guests the opportunity to play on clay or grass.

Mid Range: A Stone’s Throw Away

A Stone’s Throw Away is the perfect mid-range hotel in Nassau for your vacation.

The hotel is Bahamian in style and is filled with bright colours, wooden touches and lots of spaces to relax in.

The hotel’s outdoor pool has a lovely waterfall and is surrounded by tropical plants.

Each bedroom is spacious with private balconies as standard, wooden floors and ceilings, fans, cable TV and access to free WiFi.

The hotel offers an excellent continental breakfast each day, with a variety of additional dishes available, alongside a range of snacks and light bites throughout the day.

A Stone’s Throw Away is only a short walk from the beach where deep sea fishing tours are available.

Budget: Orange Hill Beach Inn

Orange Hill Beach Inn overlooks the white sands of Orange Hill Beach which can be reached in a short two-minute walk.

The hotel is set within lush tropical gardens and has an outdoor pool and sun loungers.

Each bedroom is vibrant and colourful and includes a safe, private bathroom, and satellite TV.

The restaurant dishes up an international menu each evening and an American breakfast each morning.

Orange Hill Beach Inn is a short drive away from the centre of the city, however there are plenty of things to do locally including exploring Caves Village Plaza which is within walking distance.

Paradise Island

Paradise Island is aptly named as it truly does reflect the perfect image of paradise.

The island has soft white sand beaches, crystal-clear water perfect for snorkelling and plenty to do in its resorts.

The island neighbours Nassau and is a popular tourist destination for its all-inclusive resorts.

Paradise Island is relatively small in size, making it easy to explore on foot, however should you want to venture further afield taxis are the most reliable way to get about as public transport is limited.

While staying on Paradise Island make the most of the food here as there are many exquisite restaurants including Fish by José Andrés, a Michelin-starred chef, and world-renowned sushi restaurant Nobu.

Where To Stay In Paradise Island

Luxury: The Ocean Club

The Ocean Club is one of the most desirable 5-star hotels in Paradise Island.

The hotel sits along the edge of 8 kilometres (4.97 miles) of white sandy beach just waiting to be explored.

The Ocean Club offers guests luxury throughout, including giving guests complimentary beach bags to fully enjoy their time on the sands, nightly champagne and strawberries offered at sunset, and three excellent swimming pools.

Enjoy a meal at one of the hotels five restaurants including the highly rated DUNE by chef Jean-Gorges Vongerichten which serves exquisite French-Asian fusion dishes with a spectacular view across the sea.

Guests bedrooms have every necessity and more, including nightly turn-down service, overnight shoe shines and complimentary daily newspapers.

To add to the luxury appeal of The Ocean Club, there is a Balinese spa with private treatment villas.

Mid Range: The Royal at Atlantis

If you are travelling with children and still want a little luxury in your vacation, The Royal at Atlantis is perfect.

This 4-star hotel is iconic in its design and is surrounded by turquoise pools and towering palm trees which make up its Ruins Lagoon, an open-air marine habitat where native marine life thrive.

The hotel has great facilities for children including a waterpark with waterslides, 11 pools all with different themes and designs and even a rock climbing wall.

For the adults there is a casino, spa, gym offering a range of classes and tennis courts.

Enjoy your evening meal in style at Nobu, a world-renowned fine dining Japanese restaurant.

Budget: Comfort Suites Paradise Island

For a more affordable stay with everything you need to enjoy your vacation book your stay at Comfort Suites Paradise Island, a 4-star hotel.

This hotel is perfect for families as it is located immediately next to Atlantis Paradise Island which offers guests at Comfort Suites access to its pools and facilities.

On-site there is a small swimming pool, sun deck and poolside bar.

All rooms at the hotel are suites featuring spacious sleeping and living areas, refrigerators, air conditioning, cable TV and safes.

Comfort Suites is a short walk from Marina Village, a shopping area, and other must-visit landmarks including Fort Charlotte and the Queens Staircase.

Exumas Islands

Exumas Islands are formed of 365 islands and cays all surrounded by white sand beaches and blue waters.

The islands are famous for the wild pigs who live on Big Major Cay.

The pigs can be found relaxing on the beach or swimming in the shallows and are friendly, allowing you to swim with them in the warm waters.

Explore the islands’ claim to fame by spending time on Staniel Cay and uncovering the legacy left behind from James Bond movie Thunderball.

On the cay you will find plenty of photographs of the cast and crew in its bars, and you can even tour the waterfall grotto where one of the most famous scenes of the movie were filmed.

Where To Stay In Exumas

Luxury: Grand Isle Resort & Residences

5-star Grand Isle Resort & Residences is the perfect luxury hotel in Exumas Islands.

The hotel not only sits along one of many stretches of soft white sands, but it has its own private area of the beach exclusive for hotel guests.

Grand Isle Resort & Residences is perfectly located for access to a number of golf courses.

Bedrooms at the hotel all feature air conditioning, private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries and a separate seating area to relax and unwind in.

To add to the hotels relaxing atmosphere there is a spa and wellness centre offering a variety of treatments and therapies including aromatherapy and facials.

Mid Range: Peace and Plenty Resort

Enjoy sun, sea and sand at Peace and Plenty Resort.

The hotel has an exclusive beach club and stretch of private sands on neighbouring Stocking Island, and provides guests with complimentary boat shuttles to the beach.

Peace and Plenty Resort is ideally located for guests to swim with the famous Exumas pigs, trips to the Thunderball Grotto and to explore and shop in the downtown George Town area.

Rooms are bright, airy and include air conditioning, coffee machines and views across the pool area or the harbour.

Budget: Turtles Nest Bahamas

Only 750 yards from Turtles Beach is Turtle Nest Bahamas, a cosy and inviting hotel in paradise.

Each room is air conditioned, with larger rooms including a separate seating area and flatscreen TV, dining area and kitchen.

While there are facilities for self catering, Turtle Nest offers guests breakfast daily, and staff can recommend a range of tasty local restaurants to try if you don’t fancy cooking.

While there is no pool at Turtles Nest, it’s close proximity to the sea opens up swimming, snorkelling and other water sports activities.

Grand Bahama

The Bahamas’ northernmost island is filled with beautiful beaches, rainforests and nature preserves.

Grand Bahama is the ideal destination for many travellers as it has plenty of family friendly things to do, and a great nightlife scene in its largest city Freeport.

The island is a popular calling point for cruise ships, particularly those who have departed Florida and as such there are lots of things for tourists to do.

Grand Bahama boasts 180 miles (289.682 kilometres) of coast line including pristine beaches, shady coves, marshes and mangroves.

Where To Stay In Grand Bahama

Luxury: Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort

This 4-star luxury resort is the perfect destination for your stay in Grand Bahama.

The hotel has free WiFi throughout making it an ideal destination for all, even if you do have to do some work during your vacation.

Outside there is a long and elegant swimming pool lined with palm trees, a dedicated children’s pool and play ground, and a golf course.

Each bedroom is simply designed and furnished and comes with air conditioning, private bathrooms and balconies overlooking the hotel grounds, pool or out towards the sea.

The reception team are available 24-hours a day and can help arrange activities and tours for guests, as well as transport to and from the airport.

Mid Range: The Marlin at Taino Beach Resort

The Marlin at Taino Beach Resort is an excellent hotel in Grand Bahama for families.

The hotel has a large swimming pool complete with water slides that children will love spending time in.

The Marlin is a great destination to base your stay at as it is a short walk from the centre of Freeport and is situated right on Tanio Beach, with its own private stretch of sands for guests to enjoy.

Bedrooms at The Marlin are light and airy with everything you need to enjoy your stay including air conditioning, cable TV, kitchenette and dining area should you decide to enjoy a meal in your room, and private bathrooms.

Budget: Castaways Resort and Suites

Castaways Resort and Suites is the perfect budget option for your stay in Grand Bahama while still offering a luxury feeling.

The hotel is instantly recognisable thanks to its pastel-pink exterior which accompanied by the tropical plants and room theming gives the hotel a true tropical paradise vibe.

Despite the hotel being further from the beach than others, it runs a dedicated shuttle service both to and from Taino Beach to ensure guests don’t miss out on the beauty of the island.

Bedrooms at Castaways are tropical themed in their design and feature bold fabrics and paintings as well as private balconies, refrigerators and coffee makers.

Guests can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool, tropical garden and gym.

Eleuthera

Eleuthera is one of the most popular destinations in the Bahamas for water sports and snorkelling.

Here the waters are calm and enjoyable to swim in, and there are many tours and classes available for those looking to learn how to scuba dive.

The sands are powder-soft and tinged with pink, making them more unique than on other Bahamian islands.

The island is well known for its pineapple groves so be sure to seek out fresh local pineapples during your stay.

Eleuthera is less frequented by tourists making it more peaceful and perfect for those wanting to explore away from resort areas.

As the island is not overdeveloped, those visiting can enjoy pristine and undisturbed stretches of sands and coves, including Twin Coves Beach and the famous Lighthouse Beach.

Where To Stay In Eleuthera

Luxury: Valentines Resort & Marina

Relax in luxury at Valentines Resort & Marina, a 4-star hotel on the picturesque Harbour Island, part of Eleuthera.

The hotel is the epitome of luxury and has its own private dock for visitors to arrive at, or those looking to moor their yachts.

Within the resort is a diving centre allowing guests to learn about or re-familiarise themselves with scuba diving, a large freshwater pool and spa offering a range of therapies and treatments.

The hotel is framed by palms and there are plenty of seating areas, sun loungers and Balinese-style loungers to relax on.

The hotel has an excellent restaurant overlooking the harbour specialising in seafood dishes.

Due to its location, the hotel offers access to water taxis to open up more of the island including regular water taxis to Dunmore Town, the historical capital of the Bahamas.

Mid Range: The Pilot House

The Pilot House is a quaint and cosy island escape for your Bahamas vacation.

The hotel is surrounded by tropical gardens that are perfect for a stroll and offers guests access to an outdoor swimming pool, plenty of shady or sunny seating areas, and a shared lounge to relax and enjoy a drink in.

Each bedroom has private bathrooms, patio areas with views across the grounds, air conditioning and flat screen TVs.

There are two restaurants at the hotel serving a range of local and American dishes, however if you fancy exploring more of the island for dinner, the hotel team will happily make some suggestions.

Throughout the hotel guests have access to free WiFi.

The hotel is ideally placed for those looking to enjoy the natural landscapes of the island including on hiking trails and down to the shoreline for snorkelling.

Budget: Bay Inn Estates

Bay Inn Estates is an excellent budget hotel to stay at in Eleuthera.

The hotel is in Alice Town and is only a short drive away from the white sands of Holiday Beach.

The hotel is formed of small, pastel painted cabins allowing you to have your own private escape.

Each room has private bathrooms, balcony or terrace areas, air conditioning and flat screen TVs.

While staying at Bay Inn Estates, hike or book a taxi to some of the best beaches in the area including Hamilton Land Beach and Smugglers Beach, both of which are under 3 kilometres (1.86 miles) from the hotel.