milemonkey

I have an upcoming stay in a couple of weeks for which I used the "casino rate" (4 nights) and Hyatt points (3 nights).

Anyone know what type of room I will get?

Also, Using cash, how much should I expect to be charged if I upgrade my room to a suite?

Thanks so much

pdisme

Just returned from my four night three room stay. Suite upgrade resulted in a nice room, albeit very low floor. King bed rooms they will not give you a rollaway. Check-in I was told there would be no resort fee and globalist breakfast for all three of my rooms, check-out the story changed and it was only on my room, which was a bit frustrating because one of the rooms would have done a cheaper breakfast option, or dined with me if we'd been given accurate info up front. I knew that was the globalist t&c coming in, so it is what it is, but one of the additional rooms I wasn't in did have the resort fees removed. When I asked for an explanation of if that's not policy, why were they removed on room two but I can't have them removed on room three, I was told in a passive aggressive way that I should be thankful they weren't on the second room and if I have her go to the manager with that I'll get them added back to it. You also should allow plenty of time to check out if you're a globalist and do need fees or breakfasts removed, because when I went to the desk last night to ask about the breakfasts, they told me they're only removed at checkout not automatically like other hotels, so if you were thinking you'd do a quick mobile checkout and don't leave time to interact with a person, you will be paying for breakfast.

As others pointed out, only points on the Hyatt-branded restaurants, and if you do a pre-paid F&B option, that is also only usable on the Hyatt restaurants. I did receive one coupon per night for two drinks of up to $25/ea (inclusive of tax and tip) that have to be redeemed for both drinks at the same time, and just the four for my room not the other two rooms. So, all in all, globalist is easily worth $165/ni across the drinks, breakfast, and resort fee, or a bit more if you bring more than two to breakfast.

The casino we absolutely loved; the craps dealers were all super friendly even when the tables were cold or when certain guests were being rude. It was a stark contrast to some of the experiences I've had at Atlantis, so we'll probably be back to this place for future trips. I'll also note that while I think smoking is permitted, we didn't encounter a single person smoking the entire time. There's a cigar bar off one of the craps tables where you'll get a bunch of smoke rolling out into the casino area, but that was it. It was such a refreshing change from Vegas or even Atlantis. Restaurants across the three hotel properties were pretty good, but also quite expensive; my wife and I, with some drinks thrown in, probably didn't get out of a dinner for less than $200-300 range.

LonghornFlyer

Hi, I'd like to book a trip for the family for spring break. Fortunately our spring break is on the early side (first full week of March) so there is some award availability but only 4 nights. I'd like to do 5 nights so would it be possible to book 4 award nights, plus an additional 2 nights because of 2 night min, then call globalist line to cancel the 2nd night, then merge my two bookings? It would be two different room types for the two bookings. In the meantime I would keep watch for the additional award night.

Secondly, I've read through a few pages and I've gathered that the globalist breakfast still gets access to the buffet (who knows by March '23) since there is no club. Beyond that, anything else to be aware of? It seems like suite upgrades will be hard to come by whether using suite upgrade award or day of check-in upgrade. Do I have that right? Any preferences as to which tower or part of the hotel is best to stay in?

TIA!

pdisme

I'd start with just globalist line, sometimes they can call a property and work around minimum night requirements if there are two reservations being combined. Two different room types would make me think you will not be successful in the request though; that really complicates things at a property where there didn't seem to be a lot of suites. On the higher floors there seemed to be more, as we had friends staying in a two bedroom on 27, but on the lower floors there may be only one per floor (based on the fire exit diagram on our suite this past week), and we tried to get two of my three rooms upgraded for the past month but there was never availability. If I'd not used the upgrade, there would not have been one for me at check-in, so you should burn an upgrade on it if that's important to you.

If you can choose, I think the east tower looked more attractive. The west tower standard suites are at the far west end, so although you get views of the countryside and fountains out the south balcony of the suite, the northwest balcony mostly overlooks the parking lot, and water further out. The east building will have the pools instead of the parking lot, and same water view but closer to it. Also, even if you already know you're in the west tower, check-in at the east desk anyway; it is larger, has more staff, and will go much quicker.

comeflywme

Can anyone tell me how crowded GH Baha Mar typically gets in Dec (around xmas) compared to, let's say, the month of Oct when it's really dead?

In Oct '21, I had an excellent 6-night stay in a 1BR Ocean View Residence Deluxe with One King Bed (West Tower, Deluxe) on the 26th floor.
If I'm considering a 4-6 night stay this Dec, is it worth targeting (via suite upgrade award and assistance from Globalist Concierge, etc.) a 1BR Ocean View Residence with One King Bed (East Tower) over the 1BR Ocean View Residence Deluxe with One King Bed (West Tower, Deluxe)? I've only stayed in the West Tower and have always been curious how much better Residence units are in The Reserve. Thanks in advance.

milemonkey

I've stayed in The Reserve in the East Tower. We had a one bedroom suite with one and one half baths. There was a full balcony across both the living room and bedroom. The room was nice overall, but I don't think the Reserve was worth the extra money.

In general I prefer the East Tower. The regular rooms have a good layout for two and the bathroom has double vanity. The West Tower just seems too generic like a corporate city Hyatt. Apparently before Hyatt took over both towers at Baha Mar, the East Tower was going to be run by another hotel chain.

Never stayed in a West Tower suite. Do they have more than one bathroom?

tmm1012

I just returned from a 5-night stay. We were originally booked in a standard 2 Queen Bed room (2 adults and 2 children, ages 3 and 5), and the booking was made using points by a Globalist friend as a GOH booking. A few weeks prior to arrival, I emailed to inquire about cash upgrade possibilities, and I was offered the following:

• One-Bedroom Fountain View Residence, West Tower - $245 per night plus taxes
• One-Bedroom Fountain View Residence, East Tower - $350 per night plus taxes
• One-Bedroom Ocean View Residence, East Tower - $480 per night plus taxes

I opted for the One-Bedroom Fountain View in the West Tower (taxes add on an additional 10% to the prices above). Our room on the 20th floor was very clean, modern, and spacious, but no extra bathroom (just the full bathroom in the bedroom). We had a full kitchen with full-sized refrigerator, range, convection oven, and a large living room that worked well for our kids.

Breakfast each morning was still in Regatta Buffet, which has a huge selection of options, and complimentary for 2 adults + 2 children on a GOH stay. Otherwise, breakfast for 2 adults is $90 ($36 per person + VAT + service charge). We were usually down there between 8:00-8:30 each morning, and there were plenty of tables available, but by the time we left around 9:00-9:15, there was a wait for a table to open up (usually 3-4 parties, so not a huge wait).

We didn't realize that we needed reservations in advance at the upscale restaurants (and there are just a few options for dinner outside of those). On the first night, we walked from one restaurant to another, only to be turned away - and the additional challenge is that most of the casual poolside restaurants close at 5 pm (poolside bars close at 6 pm). After dinner that first night, we looked online for reservations at some of the other upscale restaurants, and nothing was available for the remainder of our stay at most restaurants earlier than 9 pm. We did manage to get outside seating as a walk up at the steakhouse, Carna, which was good, but the least expensive steak is $95. In a friendly way, they asked our kids how old they were, and our 5 year old's meal was indeed charged, which is fair enough since the rules technically state that kids "under 5" eat free. We also were able to get a walk up table one night at Cleo (Mediterranean restaurant) by asking for outside seating, and we thought that was the best food of the trip. Pizza Lab was pretty good as a dinner option that didn't need a reservation.

We all had a great time at the water park, and the pools around the hotel were certainly busy, but didn't feel overcrowded since there are so many options. Prime location chairs (right next to the pool with umbrellas) always seemed taken, but with small kids, we're not usually sitting for long, so we were always able to find a chair off to the side to drop our stuff while we swam with the kids. Note that none of the casual places in the waterpark are included in the "kids eat free" program, but there are plenty of options.

I'd say service was decent overall, ranging from apathetic to very good, but on average definitely reflected what I've seen as the norm in the Bahamas, where many folks just seem to act tired of tourists and are just going through the motions. Several mornings at breakfast, I had an omelet served to me without a single word uttered (just eye contact when he was ready for me to order, then handed it to me without a word when it was finished)...but there were plenty of pleasant and helpful staff members as well. Overall, we were very pleased with our stay, especially with GOH benefits.

SP03

My unused ticket is expiring at the end of Sept, so decided to check out Baha Mar this times.

What would you recommend for restaurants? Seems like end of Sept will be much less busy, but want to be prepared and have some reservations in advance.

pdisme

We liked Costa and Shuang Ba the most. The steak house Carna was great but it was not any better than any other reasonable steak house, and of course much more expensive. The Italian place Fi’Lia was hit or miss with our group of six, and we tried a lot of each others' food; a couple items were fantastic, some you'd never want again (the chicken parm).

tmm1012

I felt the same way about Carna - my steak was good, but not necessarily worth the extreme price. We really enjoyed Cleo...their fish of the day was a grouper that was perfectly cooked, and half the price of the least expensive steak at Carna.

comeflywme

The 1,200+. sq ft 1BR Ocean View Residence Deluxe with One King Bed (West Tower, Deluxe) has 2 full baths, 3 balcony entry points, and a sofa bed. The layout is quite nice and extremely functional; however, as you stated, west tower units def have a more generic design overall vs the more stylish east tower units. I believe the 1BR Residence (non-deluxe) has 1.5 baths. And I believe none of the west tower units have bath tubs.

How are the food/drink offerings at the Reserve's mini exec lounge? Curious if having lounge access alone is reason enough to target a Reserve unit (as a comp upgrade, not paid) or should I not even bother and just stick with the west tower. Thanks!

comeflywme

Thanks for the info. Would it be $18 for 3 ppl? And do they take credit card or USD?

tmm1012

The 1 BR Residence (non-deluxe) in the West Tower that I just stayed in did not have an additional half bath. There was just a full bathroom with shower only (no tub). It sounds like the 1 BR Residence in the East Tower may be the one with 1.5 baths.

pdisme

We used this guy:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...d_Bahamas.html

it was $70 from NAS to Baha Mar for our party of six, poured us bahama mamas at pickup and had water for the non-drinkers, took us to a grocery store and we were in and out in eight minutes so didn't charge any additional for the stop, took credit cards but has to pay a fee of course; I just rounded up and gave him $100 to tip and cover the cost of the credit card. He was there waiting when we walked out of customs. Note; grocery stores don't have beer/liquor, but he can take you to a liquor store too. I'm definitely doing that next time given the cost of drinks at Baha Mar.

milemonkey

At evening Happy Hour, the food and drink at the Reserve is below par. Cold pizza mini slice and some other nondescript items. Wine is average but beer and hard stuff typical. Breakfast consist of some mini pastries and fruit but I think I saw some warm items for people who sat down in the small lounge.
I really miss the Hyatt Club The food and drink choices were wonderful all day long.