Globalist on points

I think you might be doing your search incorrectly. The Baha Mar has 100% award availability in April and has 2 Queen beds available 22 of the 30 days. That is pretty good availability to me, especially considering that it is a family resort over Spring Break. Try searching April 1-7, 14-21, or 25 - May 1st.

ooom416354

Interesting, a few days ago there were no 2 queens April 1-7 and only a a couple of random days in the middle.

Also my days coincidentally are April 20th - 26th of course. What threw me off was I literally did a 2 night test booking at midnight the night the rooms opened up (at 13 months) and there were only King rooms. Just find it extremely odd, that's all.

Jrtraveler1

Stayed here for a week recently and I thought the resort was great. A lot of people in this forum have complained about the price of the restaurants so I was apprehensive when I went, but I think the concerns are exaggerated. Of course, the steakhouse (Carne) is expensive but no more so than any top tier steakhouse in NYC, Chicago, or LA. I found that they actually have a good mix of price options ranging from bar food (swimming pig and Stix) to high end dinning. And overall, menu prices are comparable to those in major US cities. Great resort and stay overall. Looking to go back again next year!

P.S. I would recommend avoiding the Japanese restaurant. Terrible service and mediocre food at high end dinning prices. The staff all acted like they were too good to be there. Our server said less than 20 words to us during our dinner. I told her my water glass was broken and had a sharp edge. She took the glass without saying anything and never came back with another one. I had to ask for another one.

harbourxie

In my view, the Bahamas is expensive in terms of VAT (Value Added Tax), which is an added expense on everything, including hotel, dining, shopping, etc. It was 12% before Covid and now changed to 10%. Plus, almost all the restaurants including food trucks will add 15% service charges automatically.

If you have kids and have to travel during holidays, GH Baha Mar's nightly rate is over $1000, plus the 10% VAT, 15% hotel tax, $70+ resorts fee per night..... making it a more costly vacation, compared to all-inclusive options, such as Ziva Cancun which charges no more for foods and drinks.

Dcislander

Expensive indeed. Add additional tip to the mandatory 15% (expected) and the mandatory $22 a day service charge plus taxes on all of the above... and it adds up fast.

SP03

Tip is optional when there is already a 15% service charge

Dcislander

Yes, totally optional but totally expected at higher end establishments. The 15% is pooled and there are a lot of mouths to feed. The server or bartender helping your table expects the bump up to at least 20%

shawnd300

Hotel Cancellation Policy-

For a christmas/new year's reservation the award cancellation policy is: non-refundable/100% deposit due at booking. My hyatt concierge warned me prior to accepting my booking that this policy means that if I were to cancel the reservation, the points would be refunded but I would be charged a full cash rate for the cancelled rooms. Based on my reading I assume a no-show would have the same policy of refunding the points and charging a full cash rate.

My question is - would I be able to change my reservation to a future stay to avoid this cancellation/no-show policy that I am uncomfortable with? The cash rates are ridiculously high at that time of year and I understand the non-refundable but am not comfortable with something coming up that prevents me from making it and being charged over $1,500/night. If i was able to change my dates to the future and either: 1) stay at those future dates, or 2) cancel the new stay which would be during a more flexible policy period.

dmgrayinva

Can a Club Access Award be used here even though the lounge is closed?

macmedic

No

UCitiFlyer

I’m here now as an Explorist and if I didn’t get my whole stay on points and paid the cash rates, I’d be very disappointed. I probably won’t come back. This is also my first time in the Bahamas, so it might just be a Bahamas thing.

First as others have noted, it’s very expensive. I got an upgrade to an ocean view room, but I think that’s only because I booked a king room and they ran out of king rooms. The staff’s soul seems to have been sucked from their bodies here, going through the motions to provide service. Things move timely, drinks are served fast enough, etc, but there is definitely a prevailing sense of “why am I here”.

There’s also a giant outdoor concert next door thats thumping bass into my room in the east tower until 1 AM. In theory tonight’s the last night, but it’s also spoiling my experience. But the whole property has a lot of music being pumped everywhere, so it’s not exactly relaxing.

On the plus side, the resort is gorgeous, the water is beautiful and clean, and the drinks are strong. The food, as others have noted, is good. It’s pricey like Vegas, but also pretty good like Vegas. Each of the three hotels at Baha Mar have a distinct vibe, but the Hyatt doesn’t even really feel like a hotel versus just a casino.

Overall, I’m not a party person and I was kinda hoping for a relaxing vacation. Instead, it definitely seems to be more of a hip and trendy spot.

Update: Now been here 5 nights and kinda can’t wait to leave. Every single night there has been obnoxious noise. 2 nights of a loud concert, 2 nights of construction, now a conference with loud music. I specifically asked for a quiet room, the staff doesn’t care, and the music is so loud that you can’t get away. If you want to have a quiet’s nice rest, go somewhere else.

Steph58

I was there last week, 4 nights on points, Globalist. I loved the property and experience (except for the blaring outdoor concert music until late at night--Friday). A few days prior to arrival, my room showed upgraded to an ocean view, full furnished balcony, king (east tower), Keurig coffee maker in the room. Fine with this room after reading here about suites not being all that impressive. This room was very nice, on the 17th floor, it was very quiet until the last night with the obnoxious music. At check-in I was offered a 4 p.m. checkout. The Globalist perks really help because, yes, everything comes at quite a cost with the additional 45% in tax, service fee, and 20% tipping. Breakfast buffet at Regatta had a huge variety of food--more than any hotel restaurant buffet I've experienced in many years. Food was decent quality, so ate later in the morning and then could last until dinner. The grounds are immense, it took me the 4 days to check out all that is offered. Countless pools, restaurants, beautiful sandy beach, cute food truck/trailer options (although they close at 5:00). Used the 2 free drink coupons each night at the Jazz Bar (only option for use in the evenings). That place was hopping, great bands and not jazz as the name implies. I found staff and fellow guests to be very friendly and interesting. Tip: Amount of alcohol in mixed drinks everywhere seemed miniscule; order drinks that don't contain ice if you want more than an expensive slushie. Check out the Art gallery, which hasn't been mentioned, for local history. When you exit the east tower elevators go the opposite direction toward the outside doors, exit, turn left, and follow the signs. I enjoyed the food at Cleo's, Cafe Madeline, and Pizza Lab, did not like the food at the more expensive Italian restaurant, Fi'lia. Booked a day at The Beach Club, just a chaise lounge, mainly because the $100 fee was credited to food and drink purchase. Water park is very nice but I am only adventurous enough for the lazy river. Went to the spa for a pedicure which was very good and, surprisingly, the same price as I pay at home.

It was not crowded during my stay (but I would classify it as busy), and I was able to make same-day restaurant reservations. My last night was a Friday, which clearly had an increase in the number of guests. A good time of year to visit (weather was great) because schools are in session; some kids but not many. Lots of pool and beach loungers available. Tip: even though taxi prices are posted be sure to ask before getting in. Went to downtown Nassau and the driver demanded $25 instead of $18 as posted. He dropped me off at the National Art Museum and Junkanoo Museum next door, great info from the curator of that one. Walked downhill toward downtown and spent a few hours browsing. Took the jitney bus back for $1.25.

Yes, from what I've seen Hyatt resorts now cater to conferences, groups, and families with kids who don't mind paying the crazy prices for vacations. These groups generate the income. So if you're looking for a peaceful, lazy, quiet tropical paradise this isn't it. Interior is a bit Vegas-like with the large casino, restaurants and high-end shops. But the grounds are immense and beautiful, with the pools steps from a great powdery beach. Everything, everywhere was very clean. Admittedly, it would not have been as enjoyable if it had been crowded. All depends on what you're looking for and your frame of mind. I hope to bring my family here some day--we loved Hyatt Maui, but this place takes the cake. Will just need to maintain my Globalist status, as I'd think twice about coming without the cost-saving perks.

Pointsrich

Is there a way to directly book some of the suites with points? I see the LP Suite Points Upgrade for 6k + $500 but I can't seem to find any dates with a 40k suite available.

Dcislander

Hey all. Globalist here who just completed a revenue stay at the Hyatt Bahamar. Room was booked as a 4th night free and $100 credit promo.

When I checked out I was told that they would not honor the Globalist free breakfast or waived resort fee benefits because the 4th night free and $100 credit counted as benefits and even Globalists cannot use four benefits.

I’ve stayed at this location before on promo deals and never ran into this issue before. Sounds like an untrained deal rep to me… but maybe I’m wrong?

The person at the desk “checked with the manager” and said she was correct but would waive the charges as a one time courtesy (I stay here often). But in the process they didn’t remove one of the $50 breakfast charges.

Before I complain I’m hoping to get some advise as to who is correct here?

Thanks for your input.

TravelinSperry

Perhaps ask your concierge? I don't see anything in the T&C's that exclude a Globalist from getting 4 benefits https://help.hyatt.com/en/hyatt-term...att-terms.html I would ask the manager to show me in the T&C's where it states I don't receive breakfast, et al, because of promos.

Here are the relevant terms from the T&C's
(d) Club Lounge Access/Breakfast Benefit. When staying at a participating hotel or resort that has a Club lounge, Globalists will receive access to the Club lounge. When staying at a participating hotel or resort that does not have a Club lounge (or if Club lounge is closed), Globalists will receive daily complimentary full breakfast (which includes one entrée or standard breakfast buffet, juice, and coffee, as well as tax, gratuity and service charges) for each registered guest in the room, up to a maximum of two (2) adults and two (2) children. The age cut-off for a “child” is determined by each hotel or resort in its sole discretion. (For stays at Hyatt Regency Bethesda, Globalists will instead be provided with daily continental breakfast (tax and gratuity included) for each registered guest in the room, up to a maximum of two (2) adults and two (2) children. For stays at a Caption by Hyatt hotel, Globalists will instead be provided with a breakfast consisting of one (1) “elevated” coffee and one (1) “small plate” option for each registered guest in the room, up to a maximum of two (2) adults and two (2) children. Breakfast benefit (where provided) is not valid for in-room dining. Not valid at Miraval, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, or Vacation Ownership Property hotels and resorts, at the Laurel Inn, Ventana Campground, or at any Destination by Hyatt Residences location except the following (at which breakfast will be available to Globalist guests in accordance with the above terms): The Lodge at Spruce Peak; Resort at Squaw Creek; Wild Dunes Resort – Sweetgrass Inn and Boardwalk Inn; Wild Dunes Resort Vacation Rentals; and Wild Dunes Resorts – Residences at Sweetgrass Inn. For any stay at the AluaSun Far Menorca resort, this breakfast benefit will be provided to qualifying Members at the nearby resort, AluaSun Mediterráneo.

For Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in the Asia-Pacific region, and for Hyatt Place hotels in the Europe, Africa, Middle East and Southwest Asia region, Globalists may receive a complimentary daily breakfast offering for each registered guest in the Member’s room, up to two (2) adults and two (2) children. (The age cut-off for a “child” is determined by each hotel in its sole discretion.) What is included varies between each participating Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotel and may not be equivalent to the full daily breakfast described above. Some Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels may (a) offer complimentary breakfast to all guests or to all Members, in which case Globalists will not receive any additional or substitute benefit, or (b) restrict (in the property’s discretion) the availability of this benefit to Globalists who have associated their membership number with the reservation prior to the time of arrival at the hotel. For information on the availability of and conditions or restrictions on complimentary breakfast for Globalists at a particular Hyatt Place or Hyatt House hotel (or for help determining a particular hotel’s Hyatt-designated region), please contact the applicable hotel directly or a Hyatt Global Care Center. (Please visit hyatt.com for contact information.) Breakfast benefit (where provided) is not valid for in-room dining. Not valid at any property other than Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in the regions specified above.

Breakfast benefit is provided following each night of a stay and will not be provided to Globalist Members on the day of check-in for their stay, regardless of how early they are permitted to check-in or whether breakfast is still being served at the applicable hotel or resort at the time they check-in.



As for the waived resort fee - you have to find out if this is an eligible rate... anything in the T&Cs of your conf email show?

(h) Waived Resort, Destination, or Facility Fees: Resort, destination, or facility fees, where charged by the applicable hotel or resort, will be waived for Globalists when paying an Eligible Rate. (As described in Appendix B, resort, destination, or facility fees are waived for all Members when staying on a Free Night Award.) This benefit is not valid at Vacation Ownership Properties. In some instances, a hotel or resort may charge other fees (such as a “service fee”) that are independent of any resort, destination, or facility fee charged by that hotel or resort. Any such fees will not be waived for Globalists pursuant to this benefit.