Nassau, Bahamas is home to two of the Caribbean’s most prominent mega-resorts: the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, and the Baha Mar on New Providence Island’s famous Cable Beach. These big resorts can seem like destinations unto themselves, and are terrfic in their own right. But there are a host of boutique options to try in Nassau and Paradise Island, smaller, more intimate retreats for a different kind of Bahamas vacation. Here are some great options.
Graycliff: The Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant is located halfway up the hill from West Bay Street and Nassau’s busy waterfront — close enough to downtown to reach shopping, dining, and entertainment, but a world away in terms of vibe. An elegant oasis, the hotel incorporates a mansion built in 1740 for a notorious pirate, and has been an inn since 1844. The basement of the mansion contains one of the largest wine cellars in the Americas, while the courtyard grounds intersperse guest rooms and pools with the ruins of an Anglican Church burned by French invaders in 1703. In addition to dining and accommodations, Graycliff has its own chocolate factory, cigar company, and winery.
