NFT: My review of Baha Mar in the Bahamas (For bigblue1124)

So I just got back from Baha Mar yesterday. I have to say the Bahamas is great!!!. So I promised to give a review of my stay...so here it is.

First off the ride from Atl to Nassau was very fast (under 2 hours). Customs was very easy. When you leave I went through customs in Bahama airport which was fast and easy!

We get a cab from the airport (resort shuttle would have been $45) and they have flat rates. Airport to Baha was $22 plus $1 for each bag so $25 plus $2 for tip. It was a 15 min ride from the airport to the resort. The cabs were old but the drivers were nice and it was cheap enough.

When we get there first thing I notice is that it was very nice....Modern and clean. There are 2 hotels (Grand Hyatt and SRS) We stayed in Grand Hyatt. When we check in the lady tells us that it is a cash free hotel. No cash excepted except at Casino, Starbucks and sundries store. All food and drinks are signed for and paid at end of stay (you can use a CC but that is just annoying to carry around). She tells us that the hotel holds $200 per day on your CC for expenses. Weird but ok. You really only need cash for outside and for tipping maids, door people etc.

We get to the room and it s beautiful. Modern and clean. The view is great (partial ocean view).

So there are like 5-7 pools all of them are great. Tons of seats and umbrellas. Bars and restaurants all around. The are even food trucks near the beach (BBQ, Hotdogs, Mexican, Seafood, Pizza). The beach is beautiful. White sand clear water. The only complaint is that if its windy they don't give out the umbrellas (and its usually windy). You can rent a covered cabana for the low low price of $300 per day. They all have TVs in them. they give out towels so you don't have to bring any.

The restaurants were nice but overpriced. They have several restaurants A Japanese sushi, Chinese, French pastries shop, a buffet breakfast place, and smaller grills (great for lunch). We did make off site reservations at some places: Luchianos of Chicago (A Italian for an island). Seafire Steakhouse in Atlantis (C- food was way WAY overpriced) And Nobu in Atlantis (Wife loved it I am not a sushi guy at all). Make reservations in advance.

Know this ALL restaurants and bars add a 15% gratuity to the bill for all food and drinks. So tipping more is your preference. We did but not much.

The service. The service in the Bahamas is slow but not terrible. They are all nice but you might have to wave them down or use the blue flag at the back of the pool chairs to get a drink.

Other stuff: There is a cigar Bar called T2 The cigars are pricy. There is a wild life area with but other than that and pool/beach not much for kids.

The Casino is nice but nothing special. Tables start at $15 most go up to $25 at night. I gambled in both Baha and Atlantis and like Atlantis better. But Baha is fine.

It was not crowded when we were there Atlantis by comparison was very crowded and had a ton of families.

All in all I had a great time. But it was costly. I would go back not every year. There is still construction on the Rosewood part but it does not get in the way or aggravate anything.

Good luck!