by John Kirk
Last updated: 5:20 PM ET, Wed November 1, 2017
TravelPulse Canada was in Nassau last weekend and toured New Providence Island in The Bahamas and found that the area wasn't damaged in the slightest by hurricanes Irma or Maria. While some areas of the Caribbean and Florida did suffer considerable damage, travel agents can rest assured there's no issue with sending clients to Nassau. In fact, things are looking better than ever.
We were afforded an exclusive behind the scenes look at one of The Bahamas hottest new destinations, Baha Mar. The resort community, arguably one of the most anticipated and controversial resort developments around the world, is finally open.
It was a long and winding road to get here, and not without controversy. There have been multiple hiccups from the original plan, from shuttering and bankruptcy, to political fallout and a change of ownership. But now, six years after ground-breaking ceremonies and two years of lying dormant, the doors are finally open and it was well worth the wait.
To set the record straight "Baha Mar" is the name associated with the resort community, not a specific hotel. There is no specific hotel named Baha Mar as was originally planned. The resort community that bears the name is located on the same beach where the old Radisson Cable Beach and Crystal Palace sat for many years, a favourite with Canadian travel agents. Three hotels reside within the resort community; the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar with 1,800 rooms, the luxury Rosewood Baha Mar with 200 rooms (slated to open in late spring of 2018) and the SLS Baha Mar with 300 rooms (opening this month). A total of 2,300 rooms are available throughout the destination of Baha Mar.
We had a chance to tour the rooms in the Grand Hyatt and found them well-appointed, with a very high level of finishings. The layout of the rooms has a nice flow and provides you with a sense of relaxation as you enter the room. Rooms are incredibly spacious with showers and double sinks that open up into the spacious room.
They also have six unique rain cabanas (think water misted in your shaded cabana on a hot Bahamian day). There's also a 30,000 square foot spa which sits directly above the casino and provides remarkable views of the Caribbean, and a 200,000 square foot conference centre with state of the art technology to complete the offering.
Another defining feature at the resort is a working art studio where Bahamian artists create works that are then displayed in rooms and other parts of the resort.
The really great thing about this resort? Although it occupies an enormous piece of land, and has thousands of rooms, it really has a very small intimate feel in the restaurants and around the pool.
The resort features a 100,000 square foot casino, the largest in the Caribbean, with spectacular gold-plated ceilings and enormous chandeliers that allegedly cost more than $300,000 CA. You even get your drink in a real glass while enjoying Blackjack, Craps or other games; no tacky plastic here.
Virtually every conceivable food experience is available at Baha Mar's numerous restaurants; El Jefe has gourmet Mexican street food, Katsuya serves up find Asian fare, and Stix features a fantastic noodle experience. My personal favourite is the Swimming Pig, which pays homage to the famous swimming pigs of The Bahamas and provides an incredible range of offerings 24 hours a day.
Based on the pricing we saw, food and beverage is not overly expensive for a resort of this calibre. I had a huge Cobb salad at the poolside ELIXIR restaurant for $14 CA. That's pretty much what you'd pay at a hot spot in Vancouver, Montreal or Toronto. And you won't find glistening blue-green ocean water or misty poolside cabanas in any of those cities.
I'm an avid golfer and play regularly. Alas, as a result I have become a bit of a golf snob. But I'm happy to report that the new Royal Blue at Baha Mar is one of the finest courses I've played in the Caribbean. Some of the original holes for the Old Cable Beach course remain, or at least a version of them, but for the most part, 12 plus holes are new and have been carved out of the bush.
I never knew terrain like this existed in the Bahamas. Spectacular settings have been carved out of rock and limestone in order to bring the design by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, to life. Platinum Paspalum is a unique premium turf used across the entire course and plays a huge role in the overall feel of this great track.
Preferred rates and booking windows for Baha Mar guests are available and guests can pre-book tee-times up to 30 days in advance. A round of 18 holes for a Baha Mar guest is $275 CA or $375 for non-guests. An available "All in Rate" is actually a better deal (if you consider the baggage fees airlines charge for shipping clubs) at $325 CA for guests and $450 for non-guests, and includes greens fees, rental clubs, a power cart, two sleeves of Titleist Pro V1 balls, a forecaddie, and an exclusive water bottle with a nice beverage that they'll hand deliver to you on the 12th hole.
Stay at Baha Mar, and save big time on your golf. Agents who have avid golfers for clients should take note of this; head golf pro Andy Deiro claims to have the best rental club program in the world. Rental options include brands like Titleist, Callaway, Ping, PXG's (These sell for $6,000 CA or more retail) and Itobori hand-milled clubs made in Japan (these retail for $15,000 CA), Pretty cool.
They may seem pricey, even for passionate golfers, but boy oh boy are they worth it.
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