The Bahamas doesn’t have an overwhelming number of all-inclusive hotel options, but what the archipelago nation lacks in quantity it more than makes up in variety. Basic to high-end, intimate to extravagant, the Bahamas has an all-inclusive to match almost any budget and interest, including resorts on private islands and others smack in the middle of the liveliest beaches in Nassau and on Paradise Island.
Sandals Royal Bahamian, Nassau
Recently renovated to up its luxury quotient, this Cable Beach resort has been enhanced with new swim-up suites, new restaurants, the Coconut Grove beach club, and new amenities at the resort’s Barefoot Cay private island. A pair of mid-rise hotel buildings frame two pools, swim-up bars, and a food truck oasis; unique dining options include seafood on Gordon’s Pier and Aralia House on Barefoot Cay. Activities include diving, kayaking, windsurfing, tennis, basketball, a fitness center, and more. The Red Lane spa has a large menu of treatments available at extra cost.
Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma
Sandals has solidified its reputation for delivering a luxury level all-inclusive experience, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that this Exuma resort was a Four Seasons in a previous life. The adult-only Sandals Emerald Bay is set on a 500-acre beachfront property in the tranquil Out Islands of the Bahamas and features butler-served beachfront villas, 11 restaurants, activities like diving and snorkeling that take full advantage of the resort’s pristine locale, and the Greg Norman designed Emerald Bay Golf Course — greens fees included.
If you want guaranteed privacy as part of your all-inclusive experience, look no further than Fowl Cay. This private island resort has but six villas with one, two, or three bedrooms, each equipped with its own golf cart and motorboat for explorations on land and sea. Villas come stocked with food for private dining (prepare it yourself or call in a chef), with meals also served at the Hill House restaurant. In addition to all food and drinks, the all-inclusive package allows unlimited access to tennis, water sports equipment, and fishing gear.
The Warwick Paradise Island offers a sophisticated atmosphere to guests ages 16 and up. The Paradise Island location is perfect for exploring locally or walking across the twin bridges connecting the island to Nassau, and the resort is known for its quality dining, day drinking at the Hog Bar and nightlife at the Junkanoo Beat club. The freeform pool area is attractive, set right on the beautiful Nassau Harbour.
A throwback to the early days of Caribbean tourism — this Out islands resort opened in 1960 — Small Hope Bay Lodge has 18 wooden beach cabins, a well-established dive center to arrange explorations of the Andros Barrier Reef, and an all-inclusive package that includes intro SCUBA lessons, buffet style dining, all drinks, babysitting, use of bikes and kayaks, and self-guided nature tours.
Hotel Riu Palace Paradise Island
Located on one of the best white-sand beaches in the Bahamas, the Hotel Riu Palace offers 24-hour room service dining, 350 attractive spacious and modern rooms, a private beach area, a swim-up pool bar, nightly entertainment, and an on-site spa (services are at an extra cost, however). The dining experience here frankly isn’t our favorite, but it’s hard to go wrong with the in-room drink dispensers pre-loaded with rum and other spirits.
The beach may be the best part of Breezes — it commands a prized stretch of Cable Beach adjacent to the massive Baha Mar resort — making this venerable all-inclusive resort a good bargain even if it seems to have been a while since the last big renovation. Some guest rooms open directly onto the beach, and the all-inclusive package includes dining and drinking at a half-dozen restaurants and bars, tennis, volleyball, a trio of pools, kayaking, and a fitness center. Fellow guests may sometimes include spring breakers and cruise-ship passengers visiting on day passes.
Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, Grand Bahama Island
Freeport used to be one of the hottest destinations in the Bahamas; it’s fallen a little off the radar in recent years, but the 274-room Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach still attracts international travelers with an all-inclusive package that covers all dining and drinks, activities, entertainment — even fruit service by the pool. Rooms are clean if not extravagant, but all have balconies or terraces to take in the view of the broad sandy beach.
Club Med Columbus Isle, San Salvador
By far the biggest thing happening on the quiet island of San Salvador, the Club Med Columbus Isle. This family friendly all-inclusive has brightly decorated guest rooms, kids clubs for ages 4-17, childcare available for kids ages 11 and up, five major bars and restaurants, a variety of fitness classes and tennis lessons, and included land and sea sports. The bad news: the renovating resort won’t reopen until at least October 2022.