Nassau's Baha Mar Was Worth the Wait

The $3.5 billion Baha Mar mega-resort endured nearly three years of construction delays, bankruptcy, litigation and accusations of incompetence and avarice after the original December 2014 launch date came and went.

Rumors of moldy interiors and poor construction trailed the long construction cycle that followed.

Yet, almost incredibly, the Nassau, Bahamas luxury resort’s anchor property is operating in something very close to the high-profile fashion original developer Sarkis Izmirlian envisioned nearly a decade ago.

The 1,800-room Grand Hyatt Baha Mar’s eastern wing is accommodating guests as the hotel debuts in a phased manner following a soft opening during late April. What’s more, the resort delivers an authentic, top shelf luxury resort experience.

High ceilings, exquisite décor and furnishings, luxury retail shops and deluxe facilities are hallmarks across the property. The resort’s staff is welcoming and service-oriented, and the facilities feature a fine expanse of beach plus proximity to Nassau’s wide variety of attractions.

A check of the website found a one-week stay for October priced at $234 to $399 per person, per night for accommodations ranging from a standard Grand King room to an Oceanview Deluxe Queen room.

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It Looks Magnificent

Inside and out, the Grand Hyatt property is a faithful rendering of a contemporary luxury resort.

Fountains, statuary and finely tailored landscaping line Baha Mar’s winding driveway, leading up to the hotel’s grand entrance, which is guarded by imposing lion sculptures and framed by a coiffured ceiling.   

A stylish, large front desk leads directly to what has been described as the largest casino at a Caribbean resort, with restaurants, shops, guest accommodations and the hotel’s beachfront and pool sections all extending in spoke-like fashion from the sweeping central casino room. Public rooms all feature tall ceilings, marble floors and inventive décor, art and decorative accessories that evoke Bahamian culture and traditions.

A series of terraced pool areas leads to an excellent 3,000-foot stretch of Cable Beach’s soft white sand. Cabanas, palapas and shaded areas with lounge chairs are positioned around the pools, accompanied by tall palm trees.

Drift, a casual poolside café; the Palms Café, serving tropical and casual fare; and Daqs, a daiquiri bar are located within the sweeping pool area. Small pathways lead to a small fishing-village style street with small and quaint art, craft and snack shops. A picturesque boardwalk leads to the beachfront.

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A Grand Casino

From its very beginning, the Baha Mar Casino was conceived as central to the resort’s experience. Baha Mar’s planners followed through on the concept as the 100,000 square foot facility rivals virtually any other global resort.

Acres of well-spaced poker, blackjack, roulette and craps tables are accompanied by sweeping banks of sophisticated slot machines running the gamut from whimsical to high-tech. The casino also features two exclusive lounges for high rollers—one set behind a door, out of view of the plush first lounge.

The casino also features a large sports book with banks of large-screen televisions where players can watch live event broadcasts.         

Regal Rooms

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar’s accommodations comprise a fitting entry in the luxury category.

In keeping with the furnishings and décor across the property, the rooms and suites all utilize top-of-the-line materials, from marble floors and countertops to Viking kitchen appliances. Every room is equipped with a step-out or full balcony.

Standard suites encompass a spacious 470 square feet and feature deluxe amenities including complimentary wireless Internet, 48-inch flat screen televisions and personal tablets through which guests can access all hotel services, including 24-hour room service. Other features include minibars, Keurig coffeemakers, iHome bluetooth docking stations, enhanced lighting and bedside controls.

Deluxe suites range from 694 to 1,038 square feet and feature full balconies with separate sitting areas. Premium guests and groups can opt for villas encompassing 1,220 to 1,935 square feet with private pools and cabanas. Deluxe residences measuring 910 to 4,815 square feet are also available.

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Sun and Fun

A series of terraced lounging areas that lead to the beach highlight the resort’s pool complex.

The sweeping area features a Beach Sanctuary, with a grotto where guests can dive off a man-made cliff into a deep plunge pool. The Fitness Center is among the largest found at any Caribbean-style resort sophisticated and is equipped with modern training equipment.

The Royal Blue Golf Club—an 18-hole, par-72 Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course—offers guests one of the region’s genuine world-class facilities. Visitors can also utilize the resort’s tennis courts or the 30,000 square foot Espa-branded spa. The grounds also include a nature reserve, and guests can arrange both motorized and non-motorized sports beachside with Baha Mar staff.

Delicious Dining

The resort offers a varied dining presentation with several upscale venues.

The 3 Tides restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring three open “theater" kitchens and preparing culturally diverse cuisine using grills and glass-enclosed pizza ovens and a raw bar in view of diners.

Stix is a pan-Asian noodle bar located next to the casino and open from 4 p.m. to midnight. Drift and the Palms Café are beachside options.

The atmospheric Swimming Pig may be the best of all, with décor evocative of a classic dining hall and 24 beers on tap. The eatery serves breakfast and pub favorites and is an unquestioned hotspot of activity open 24 hours, seven days a week.