Blackberry Mountain
The Dunlin
Wildflower Farms
Chatwal Lodge
Primland
Little Palm Island


Como Parrot Cay (Looks like there are 3 weekly flights to PLS)
Dorado Beach
Rosewood Little Dix Bay (if you are willing to take a 30 min extra hop to EIS from SJU)

I'd be interested to hear about any experiences at the Goldwynn, too.

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Just got back from 4 nights at Goldwynn. There are many exemplary features of the property that stand out to me: distance from the hubbub of downtown Nassau (it is technically walkable, though takes more than an hour; it is a quick 10-15 minute car ride, or a relatively short bus ride on the 10 or the 12–though I never got the chance to use New Providence’s transit system), pretty well-equipped and self-contained amenities, and attentive staff and service. The main downside I experienced was remoteness, meaning I used taxis which cost multiple $10s of dollars per direction (one way). Goldwynn does provide some discounts at partnering businesses, mainly restaurants, all of which are accessible on their website.

Rooms were spacious and airy, and featured all listed amenities as on the website (e.g., kitchenette, terrace, blackout curtains, etc.). The outdoors were really nice too. The infinity pool is not heavily used but is consistently used throughout the day. I was told the pool is open 24/7, but I was honestly too tired to test it out late at night, but it is lit and kept at 88�, so I’m told. There are limited beach chairs (on the beach itself), but it wasn’t all that busy when I was there so I never had any issue securing one if I wanted one. The beach chairs not on the beach are plenty and there is poolside service from one of the on-site bars available. There’s also a fully equipped-service spa and a restaurant on site, both detailed and operated as described on the website.

The beach itself is manicured each morning and is pretty pristine. To the west is the public beach, Goodman’s Bay Beach (and park), which attracts locals but only a handful at a time. The park itself, though, can get lively at nightfall since there is space to run around and it’s lit. Further west are a mix of some residential but more dominantly resort beaches, many of which are marked “Private,” but are not really enforced, not to mention that the mean high water mark is the legal limit for private property (i.e., walking along the beach or using the water is not itself trespassing). There are a number of jet skiing ventures interspersed along the beach and they are pretty active (read: noisy, if that’s something which bothers you) throughout the day, but only infrequently pass north of the Goodwynn’s marked swimming area. As you hit Bahamar, the beach gets considerably dirtier (with lots of single-use plastic and unrecovered waste that I noticed walking up and down the beach). This is even a factor along Goodman’s Bay Beach, but it reaches its maximum by Bahamar (which makes sense, it’s populated). The Goldwynn beach, as mentioned before, is pristine.

The water itself is clear and most of the marine environment consists of sand, algal patches, or sea grasses, somewhat inhabited by various fish. My snorkeling endeavors here (the equipment is available for guests to use for free) were much less fruitful than the reefs down south, like the BREEF Sculpture Garden and Coral Nursery, but nevertheless entertaining. I was told there is a transient hammerhead that likes to cruise by (but not instigate anything), but I wasn’t lucky enough to find them. I imagine the sea life is reduced due to the sheer population in the waters from Bahamar.

The main reason I even decided to go to The Bahamas was due to how cheap the flights and accommodations were. I wasn’t disappointed at all, but I will note that its remoteness (compared to the free and walkability-ness of some of the downtown hotels) meant I was paying more for travel costs on the island itself.

Thanks so much for the detailed report! Did you eat at the onsite restaurants at all?

I ate at OIA a few times, it was good, pricy (to be expected for an onsite restaurant), and nothing I�d write home about, but perfectly adequate and enjoyable.

Just an update at the Goldwynn. The rooms are very nice, but the hotel isn't really a resort. It's a hotel with a nice pool and a small beach, and was rather boring. As indicated, OIA was very expensive. We had breakfast "included" in our rate, but that was only a $30 credit per person. For a shared french press and two of the cheaper entrees, we were at $75 when you include the fees.
Beach food and drink was good, but the pool was understaffed. Housekeeping was inconsistent and didnt seem luxurious. The room was nice, but didn't seem $600 a night nice (with no view).
There is no concierge desk, just the timeshare rep who beckons you every time you pass through the lobby. The rooms are built around an atrium with a lobby, which has a nice coffee bar that closes in the evening, meaning there really isnt a lobby bar - just the bar at the restaurant. Also, the ballrooms for the hotel are off the lobby, meaning people are milling about for events. The noise from those events travels as well, and we heard music late into the night from a christmas party in our 2nd floor room with the doors closed.

I�m currently trying to decide between Zemi Beaxh house in Anguilla or Hermitage Bay. Does anyone have experience with both and provide insight into the differences and preferences?