Sailing the turquoise splendor of the Exumas. Diving blue holes in Andros. Finding new levels of chill in San Salvador. Achieving seclusion in Cat Island. Tasting new flavors in Nassau. The Bahamas is an equally vibrant destination in the summer, where its beaches and endless water are the perfect recipe for cooling down in a particularly steamy year. So where to stay?
The Bahamas’ smaller hotels are a lovely way to experience the islands, remaining an undiscovered layer of a country made up of 700 islands and cays. To help inspire you, we’ve curated some of our favorite boutique retreats for your imminent summer vacation in The Bahamas.
Cape Eleuthera, Eleuthera If you’re looking for a boutique-style Bahamian retreat, Cape Eleuthera really is the best of both worlds: a a mix of waterfront villas and cottages in southern Eleuthera accompanied by a remarkable 4,500 acres of stunning natural beauty including three different private beaches. This is one of the ultimate getaways in The Bahamas, a place for adventurers, sport fishermen and those in search of the perfect beach vacation. (The resort is even adding some new beach bungalows this fall).
Graycliff Hotel, Nassau The Bahamas’ gourmet capital is the historic heart of downtown Nassau, a private, serene oasis that’s home to the best restaurant in the country, one of the world’s largest wine cellars, on-site cigar and chocolate factories and about as beautiful a pool as you’ll find, well anywhere.
The Sands, San Salvador If you’re looking for a relaxing summertime getaway, this is the spot: a tiny beachfront outpost on one of the quietest, secluded, deliciously calm islands in the region: San Salvador. There’s a lovely little tiki bar, great homemade food and an almost impossible kind of tropical relaxation.
Small Hope Bay Lodge, Andros The Bahamas’ great adventure hotel is a gateway to the natural wonders of Andros, the largest island in The Bahamas and the home of some truly magnificent natural landscapes perfect for diving, snorkeling, boating and good old-fashioned exploration. Even better? It’s all-inclusive, too.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club, Exuma The most beloved stop in the Exuma archipelago, this collection of oceanfront bungalows is the perfect jumping-off point for discovering the magic of Exuma’s electric blue waters. The rooms also come with a rather enviable amenity: they all come with their own boat.
Bluff House, Abaco This Abaco classic is set on the endlessly lovable Green Turtle Cay, a short ferry ride from Great Abaco and a quirky, historic, beach-filled little island that is home to the legendary Bluff House. This beach resort straddles two sides of the island: on one side you’ll find a delightful marina, on the other the calm waters of White Sound, home to the Tranquil Turtle Beach Bar.
Valentines Resort and Marina, Harbour Island In many ways, this charming marina front resort is the town square of Harbour Island, thanks in large part to its uber-popular marina. But it’s also a great place to stay, with some of the best food on the island, a terrific waterfront pub and even its own beach club on the world-class Pink Sand Beach.
Rollezz Vilas Beach Resort, Cat Island Old Bight Beach is one of those beaches that just seems to go on and on and on. And despite its jaw-dropping beauty, you can go days or weeks without even seeing another soul on the sand. It is, however, home to one lovely little beach escape: the family-owned Rollezz Villas Beach Resort, the perfect place for a castaway-style beach vacation with unique Bahamian flair.
Hideaways at Palm Bay, Exuma This collection of just 40 cottages and villas is perched on one of Exuma’s classic talcum-white beaches, with a mix of studios, one and two-bedroom layouts (we’d recommend going for the direct beachfront options). Even the studios come with kitchenettes and dinettes, expanding to full kitchens in one and two-bedroom villas. It’s a way to feel like you’re really living the Exuma lifestyle. The Splash beach bar is an added bonus.
Shannas Cove, Cat Island Set at the northern tip of Cat Island, Shannas is a mix of cliffside bungalow-style units set above a sparkling white-sand beach below. The restaurant here is the best on the island (serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner) and the adventure options are vast: snorkeling, hiking, bone fishing, kayaking and beach-hopping.