Kate Wake-Walker enjoys a luxury holiday with stunning views, delicious cocktails and impeccable service on the New Providence island in Nassau
The islands of the Bahamas are everyone’s dream holiday destination so when the Grand Hyatt invited me to spend a week at their new resort Baha Mar on New Providence outside Nassau, naturally I jumped at the chance.
Opened in April 2017, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is located on the picturesque island of New Providence in Nassau. Architect David Hung designed the resort and interiors were all created by Los Angeles based Dianna Wong Architecture. On arrival, faced with the grand entrance and huge fountains, I was struck by the size and architectural design of the complex and the special touches of craftsmanship and artistic expression on the grounds and within the hotel.
Sitting as it does along the sun-soaked white sand beaches of Cable Beach with views of the ocean and green coastal fairways, it is nothing less than a sanctuary of natural beauty, dramatic architecture, art, and modern luxury.
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The amenities on offer include six multi-level pools, swim-up bars, a beach sanctuary and aquarium, a flamingo sanctuary, the Caribbean’s largest casino 100,000 square feet (one of the only in the world to have direct beach views) and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf course.
After unpacking, I went straight to the vast ESPA Spa for a deep tissue massage in one of the 24 treatment rooms – just what I needed after long flight. There are wonderful facilities at the Spa including a steam room, a sauna and very good quality robes and slippers, which are always a bonus.
The resort has 1,800 fountain and ocean view rooms and all have complimentary WiFi, flat screen TVs, video on demand, bluetooth docking station and more. The bathrooms have a freestanding bathtub, separate shower and June Jacob’s toiletries and fresh fruit replenished every day.
I had never seen this system of a CRAVE tablet where you can request anything your heart desires. All their service is technology driven offering details on all that’s on offer in the hotel. A list is provided with items such as Woolite, toothbrush, hairbrush, curling iron, humidifier, steamer, teakettle – and much more. I requested ten items all of which arrived within ten minutes.
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What also struck me throughout my stay was the quality of the staff, all of whom were attentive, friendly and knowledgeable.
Yvette Edwards, their experienced Director of Sales and marketing provided a private tour of The Reserve tower that has a private butler service. The Reserve is Grand Hyatt Baha Mar’s exclusive luxury hotel-within-a-hotel concept comprised of guestrooms, one-bedroom suites, private check-in and VIP Lounge, as well as an exclusive access to a private high rollers table. All of The Reserve’s suites have unobstructed ocean views and Asian-inspired design.
During my stay I was treated to meals at many of the restaurants and bars, including Three Tides where they serve a fantastic buffet breakfast; Drift for a poolside lunch; Blue Note Piano and Lounge where they play great live music nightly and serve the delicious ‘Dragon Drink’; Swimming Pig for great cocktails; T2 bar for the rum tasting, and last but not least Cafe Madeleine for another great breakfast, where you can have a photo of yourself and have it transferred onto the top onto your coffee froth!
We toured the BEACH Sanctuary at Baha Mar, which is an experience that allows guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and wildlife of the Bahamian islands. It is positioned to educate guests about local conservation efforts, inspire action to make a difference, and turn guests into passionate stewards of the Bahamian environment. It is home to multiple species of wildlife, including six Green Sea Turtles, one Hawksbill Sea Turtle, ten Southern Stingrays, eight Nurse Sharks and more than fifty other varieties of reef fish. The Baha Ma resort is currently creating a Flamingo enclosure so people can see them up close and have the opportunity to learn about their habits.
Conservation is important at the Baha Mar. They have a chief scientist and her team, who are based at the hotel; being on Cable Beach, the Grand Hyatt is responsible for taking care of one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas.
On our last night we were treated to the most incredible eight-course meal at the superb Chinese Restaurant Shuang BA. I had never tried the very expensive and specialist Chinese drink Baijiu – very strong and delicious and costs up to $1500 per bottle. Báijiǔ literally means ‘white (clear) alcohol’ or liquor, and is a strong distilled spirit, generally 52 per cent alcohol by volume. Inside the restaurant there is a gargantuan floor to ceiling 30,000-ton marble column and displaying two carved dragons.
I had a superb holiday and was fully relaxed when I left Baha Mar; I will definitely be going back.
British Airways flies direct six times a week from London Heathrow to Nassau with Economy return flight prices starting at £830 and £3790 Business Class
Bahamas.grand.hyatt.com
Standard rooms available in East and West Towers from $295US + taxes and resort fee per night. The Reserve rooms from $12500 per night + taxes and resort fees.
