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All-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas: what to know, and where we would stay instead

The Bahamas sit closer to Florida than to the Caribbean proper, yet the water is every bit as turquoise. All-inclusive is common here, but guests rate the resorts lower than you might expect. We explain why, and recommend eight resorts that make the grade.

Shallow turquoise water over a white sandbank in the Bahamas

Only if the wristband matters most. The Bahamas all-inclusives, such as Sandals Royal Bahamian, Warwick and Breezes, score lower with guests than the best regular resorts. For the best of the islands, choose The Ocean Club or Rosewood near Nassau, or a small place on Exuma, Eleuthera or Harbour Island.

Picolo picks

The Ocean Club sits on the quiet end of Paradise Island.

Nassau and Paradise Island

1. The Ocean Club

Terraced gardens and a quiet beach

The Ocean Club sits on the quiet end of Paradise Island, with terraced gardens inspired by Versailles and an old French cloister arch at the top of the grounds. The beach in front is long and calm, even though Atlantis is not far away.

This is our first choice for couples and honeymoons. It is among the most expensive places in the Bahamas, and it is built for peace, not parties.

Check availability and prices at The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort
The towers of The Royal at the centre of Atlantis on Paradise Island.

Nassau and Paradise Island

2. The Royal at Atlantis

The waterpark

Atlantis has one of the world's largest waterparks, with slides, a long lazy river and huge aquariums, plus a dozen or so restaurants. The Royal is the big towered hotel at the centre of the complex.

It suits families with children who want to spend their days in the waterpark. Food and drink are extra and add up quickly, so set a budget in advance.

Check availability and prices at The Royal at Atlantis
Rosewood is the quietest of the hotels in the Baha Mar complex on Cable Beach.

Nassau and Paradise Island

3. Rosewood Baha Mar

The quietest corner of Baha Mar

Baha Mar is a large resort complex on Cable Beach with three hotels, a casino and a golf course. Rosewood is the smallest and calmest of them, with light rooms, its own stretch of beach and easy access to the restaurants across the complex.

It suits couples who want luxury and quiet with plenty of dining choice. The casino and the big pools are a walk away, which is the point.

Check availability and prices at Rosewood Baha Mar
The Grand Hyatt is the largest hotel in the Baha Mar complex on Cable Beach.

Nassau and Paradise Island

4. Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

The biggest, with everything on the doorstep

The Grand Hyatt is the largest hotel at Baha Mar, with several pools, the beach right outside and the casino in the same complex. You can pick a different restaurant every night.

It suits families and groups of friends who want choice and buzz. It is big and busy, so if you want calm, Rosewood is the better pick.

Check availability and prices at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
Sandyport sits on the beach west of Cable Beach on New Providence.

Nassau and Paradise Island

5. Sandyport Beach Resort

Room to spread out west of Cable Beach

Sandyport sits west of Cable Beach on its own beach, beside a small marina village with restaurants and shops. Rooms are generous, and many have space for families.

It suits families and couples who want sand and calm without Baha Mar prices. Downtown Nassau is a fair distance, so plan on taxis.

Check availability and prices at Sandyport Beach Resort
Grand Isle faces a shallow bay on Great Exuma.

The Out Islands

6. Grand Isle Resort

Villas on Great Exuma

Grand Isle sits on Great Exuma, with villas and apartments facing a shallow turquoise bay. Exuma is the chain with the swimming pigs and some of the clearest sandbars in the Bahamas.

It suits families and couples who want space and plan to spend the days on boat trips. Restaurants are spread out on the island, so plan on a hire car or the kitchen.

Check availability and prices at Grand Isle Resort and Residences
The Cove sits between two small bays on Eleuthera.

The Out Islands

7. The Cove Eleuthera

Two small bays

The Cove is on Eleuthera, a long, narrow island east of Nassau, set between two small bays of clear water. It is a small place with cottages and rooms scattered through green grounds.

It suits couples who want to snorkel, paddle and read in peace. There is little to do at night, and you will need a car to see the rest of the island.

Check availability and prices at The Cove Eleuthera
The sand on Harbour Island takes its pink tint from crushed shells.

The Out Islands

8. Coral Sands

Pink sand on Harbour Island

Harbour Island is famous for a beach with a pink tint to the sand, and Coral Sands sits right on it, with rooms and cottages among the palms. The pastel village of Dunmore Town is a short hop away.

It suits couples who would rather have a beautiful beach and quiet than a buffet. Getting there means a flight to North Eleuthera and a short water taxi across.

Check availability and prices at Coral Sands Inn and Cottages
How Picolo chooses

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The plane comes in low over Nassau, and beneath the wing the water shifts from deep blue to green to almost white, where the sand lies just below the surface. Plenty of people landing here have booked a week of wristbands and swim-up bars. It can be a good week, but it is rarely the best way to see the Bahamas.

The islands spread across more than 700 islands and cays. Most resorts are on New Providence, home to Nassau and Cable Beach, and neighbouring Paradise Island. The Out Islands are quieter and lovelier. We use the Hotels.com guest rating as a minimum, and none of the Bahamas all-inclusives clears it. So instead we recommend eight resorts that do. Links go to Hotels.com, and we always choose the hotel before the link.

How to choose a resort in the Bahamas

  • All-inclusive or not: Prices outside the resorts are at American levels, so all-inclusive can make financial sense. But the best resorts are not all-inclusive, and many offer half board or meal packages you can add.

  • Cable Beach or Paradise Island: Cable Beach lies west of Nassau, with a long beach and the Baha Mar complex. Paradise Island is across the bridge from downtown and dominated by Atlantis.

  • The Out Islands: Exuma, Eleuthera and Harbour Island are quieter and lovelier, but need a domestic flight or a ferry.

  • Currency: Bahamian and US dollars are used interchangeably. Expect high prices for food and drink.

  • Leave the resort once: Boat trips run from Nassau to Exuma, where the swimming pigs have become the islands' most famous image, and to sandbars and snorkel spots around New Providence.

  • Nassau itself: Downtown has pastel colonial buildings, a straw market and the fish fry stalls at Arawak Cay, where locals eat conch, the giant sea snail that is the national dish.

The areas

  • Nassau and Paradise Island: Around the capital are the big resorts, close to the airport and to town.

  • The Out Islands: The islands beyond Nassau have fewer hotels and more nature. This is where the loveliest places are, but getting there takes longer.

All-inclusive in the Bahamas: your questions answered

What is the best all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas?

The best known are Sandals Royal Bahamian for couples, Warwick Paradise Island for adults and Breezes as the cheaper option. None of them meets the guest-rating bar we use. For the best stay, we recommend The Ocean Club or Rosewood Baha Mar instead.

Is Atlantis all-inclusive?

No. Atlantis on Paradise Island has a huge waterpark, aquariums and many restaurants, but food and drink are charged separately, which can get expensive for a family. Do the sums before choosing between Atlantis and an all-inclusive.

Is all-inclusive worth it in the Bahamas?

Often financially, because food and drink are expensive. But you rarely get the best of the islands, and guest ratings are lower than at the top regular resorts. Many travellers choose half board and eat out a few evenings instead.

How do you get to the Bahamas from the UK?

There are direct flights from London Heathrow to Nassau, or you can connect via Miami and other US cities, from where it is a short hop. For an Out Island, you will usually need another flight or a ferry from Nassau.

Where is the best place to stay in the Bahamas?

Paradise Island and Cable Beach have the most resorts and are close to the airport, which suits a first visit. The Out Islands, such as Exuma, Eleuthera and Harbour Island, are quieter and lovelier but take longer to reach. Many combine a few days near Nassau with an Out Island.

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