We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Hotels + Resorts 10 Best Resorts in the Bahamas Bougainvillea-adorned bungalows, private islands, and eco-friendly accommodations included. By Kristin Braswell Kristin Braswell Kristin Braswell is a travel journalist and the founder of CrushGlobal Travel. Specializing in culture, food, and luxury experiences, she has penned pieces for Vogue, CNN, USA Today, Essence, NPR, Architectural Digest, Ebony, and Los Angeles Times, among others. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on April 30, 2024 Photo: Fowl Cay Blush-colored beaches, azure oceans, and booming casinos — it's no wonder the Bahamas had more than 9 million visitors last year. Luckily, the Caribbean archipelago has plenty of hotels to house them all spread across its 16 major islands. “From mega resorts and all-inclusives to eco-friendly and boutique hotels and everything in between, there are plenty of options at every price point," Latia Duncombe, director general at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, says. "The Islands of the Bahamas are a unique blend of rich biodiversity, stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and deep-rooted cultural experiences, and the range of our hotel offerings reflects all we have to offer." Many Bahamas resorts have topped our hotel lists over the years and are well-loved by readers for their distinct personalities. Here are 10 of the best resorts in the Bahamas, including a remote private island and a bevy of bungalows. Kamalame Cay Lyndah Wells Photography / Kamalame Cay Book Now What We Like Bougainvillea-adorned bungalows make you feel like you’ve got the island all to yourself. What to Consider The property doesn't have free Wi-Fi, but you can request a hotspot. A private island well-loved by both celebrities and those looking for a slice of quiet luxury, Kamalame Cay is a lush, 96-acre escape near the Andros Great Barrier Reef. Voted by readers as one of the 500 Best Hotels in the World, the resort can be reached via seaplane or helicopter from Nassau, followed by a 20-minute taxi and a five-minute ferry to the island. 22 rooms and suites — a mix of cottages, bungalows, and Balinese-style beach houses — are steps away from empty beaches, the Bahamas' only overwater spa, and the ocean, where you can kayak, fish, and snorkel. You can also explore the island on a hotel-provided golf cart. Breakfast is delivered to your room in a wicker basket every morning, and the Guest of House all-inclusive package includes dishes like Bahamian curry and crab-stuffed avocado. The Details: 12.4 miles from Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) Nearby attractions include reef fishing and bonefishing along Kamalame’s mangrove coast and snorkeling and diving at the Andros Barrier Reef, the world’s third-largest barrier reef Amenities include a seaside tiki bar, fine dining at the Great Restaurant and Bar, and the only overwater spa in the Bahamas Rates start at $595 per night for two guests Caerula Mar Club Caerula Mar Book Now What We Like If you want a mix of adventure and relaxation, this hotel offers a quiet respite in one of the Caribbean’s most biodiverse regions. What to Consider Children under 12 aren't allowed, and the resort doesn't offer child care, lifeguards, or recreational programs. Celebrated on Travel + Leisure's 2021 It List, beachfront Caerula Mar Club's 18 rooms and four villas are on the remote South Andros island, home to fewer than 2,000 people. To get there, take a 20-minute puddle jumper from Nassau to Congo Town International Airport or a private jet from Ft. Lauderdale. Driff’s Beach Bar offers casual eats like fried lobster bites, Switcha is excellent for breakfast pastries, and Lusca's daily menu is all about Caribbean-inspired fine dining. Use the hotel's non-motorized water sports equipment for free. Off-property, explore the world’s third-largest barrier reefs and a network of twinkling blue holes — ancient caves carved into the ocean floor. The Details: 2.5 miles from Congo Town International Airport, which offers direct flights from Fort Lauderdale or Nassau Enjoy bonefishing at the nearby Andros South Fishing Lodge Imbibe at Bobo’s Cool Off, a little daiquiri shack that’s about a 15-minute bike ride from the resort Rates start at $450 per night for two guests The Cove at Atlantis Paradise Island The Cove Atlantis Paradise Island Book Now Also available to book at Marriott.com What We Like Two private beaches and a whopping 21 restaurants make The Cove an ideal hotel pick if you prefer to spend most of your days on the property. What to Consider The resort is part of the massive Atlantis Paradise Island complex. A haven for celebs, including the Royals, The Cove is the most high-end offering of Atlantis Paradise Island's five resorts. The property's 600 suites have balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views. Atlantis Paradise Island has 21 restaurants and 19 bars, but we love The Cove’s Fish by José Andrés and Michael White’s restaurant Paranza. There’s no shortage of activities at The Cove. As a guest of Atlantis, you can explore the world’s largest open-air marine habitat or while the day away at the 30,000-square-foot Mandara Spa, which offers treatments that feature several indigenous plants. The Details: 12.4 miles from NAS Close to Arawak Cay (The Fish Fry), home to a variety of restaurant and drink vendors that serve authentic Bahamian cuisine Rates start at $580 for two guests Fowl Cay Resort Fowl Cay Book Now What We Like Only 28 guests are allowed on the property, so the staff's attention to detail is spot on. Each villa comes with a private motorboat to explore Exuma’s cerulean sea. What to Consider The property recommends you stay at least one week to enjoy its offerings fully. A 45-minute flight from Nassau, Fowl Cay Resort is 50 acres of paradise on a remote cay in the Exumas. With just six villas, you'll have more than enough room to roam on this private island, known for its incredible sunset views. The villas have fully stocked kitchens and access to a golf cart and private motorboat. Freshly caught seafood is featured on the daily menu at Hill House restaurant. Take your boat for a spin, snorkel at Thunderball Grotto, or spot iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay. The Details: 1.2 miles from Staniel Cay Airstrip, which offers scheduled flights from Nassau and Fort Lauderdale, as well as private chartered flights Guests can take their boat to Compass Cay Marina to feed sharks, Guana Cay to see and feed iguanas, or Big Major Cay, the official home of the Bahamas’ swimming pigs Rates are all-inclusive, including all meals and beverages. Rates for a one-week stay start at $17,700 for two guests Rosewood Baha Mar Rosewood Baha Mar Book Now Also available to book at Hotels.com What We Like We love that you can access all of Baha Mar’s facilities, including a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and 40 restaurants and bars. What to Consider Most of Baha Mar’s restaurants have a dress code, so pack accordingly. Located on Nassau’s Cable Beach, Baha Mar encompasses three oceanfront hotels: Grand Hyatt, SLS Baha Mar, and Rosewood Baha Mar. The latter is a 12-story property with 226 accommodation types, including three- and six-bedroom villas equipped with upstairs decks and private pools. Bring your appetite — you can eat at any of Baha Mar's 40 dining and drinking venues. At Rosewood, The Library offers caviar and sweet treats for afternoon tea; Costa serves Mexican mole and citrusy ceviche al fresco near a koi pond; and Cafe Boulud from renowned chef Daniel Boulud offers gorgeous French food with island notes. "Baha Mar has some really fantastic onsite dining options, but for a truly decadent meal, you can't beat the signature six-course tasting menu from Cafe Boulud. It was one of the highlights of my trip to Baha Mar," said T+L editor Elizabeth Rhodes. Just be sure to wait 30 minutes after eating before heading to the luxury water park, Baha Bay, featuring a 1,400-foot river and 30 VIP cabanas. The Details: 6.2 miles from NAS Access to Baha Mar's dining options, including Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House and SLS Baha Mar’s rooftop bar Skybar Rates start at $1,250 per night for two guests The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort Four Seasons Book Now Also available to book at Booking.com What We Like You can access a 24-hour concierge, a beach, six tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course. What to Consider This resort is among the pricier options on this list. Voted one of the best resorts in the Caribbean by T+L readers in the 2023 World’s Best Awards, the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, sits on 36 acres of uninterrupted sand on Nassau’s Cabbage Beach. There are 107 rooms and suites, plus 4,400-square-foot villas with their own lap pools and balconies. The property was the site of the 2006 James Bond film "Casino Royale" and features a 12th-century Augustinian cloister modeled after the gardens of Versailles. Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Dune restaurant is perched on a white-sand bluff and offers a menu inspired by the chef’s global travels. Spend the day relaxing at the beachfront infinity-edge pool, or venture to the nearby John Watling's Distillery, Nassau’s only rum distillery. The Details: 12.4 miles from NAS Amenities include the Ocean Club Spa, Versailles Gardens, and 18-hole, par-72 Ocean Club Golf Course Rates start at $1,950 per night for two guests The Cove, Eleuthera The Cove Eleuthera Book Now Also available to book at Hotels.com What We Like The ambiance of laid-back luxury. What to Consider Additional renovations are slated to conclude in November 2024. Eleuthera, with about 11,000 people and no traffic lights, offers a peaceful charm. Its name means "freedom" in Greek, and it's the perfect place to unwind and feel... free. At The Cove, find 29 villas, suites, and cottages spread across 40 acres. Each accommodation has its own bathroom and living room. The property also offers two beaches, a small gym, and an onsite restaurant called Freedom Restaurant & Grill. On your way from North Eleuthera Airport, be sure to check out the Glass Window Bridge, a striking rock formation with dramatic views of the Caribbean Sea on one side and the deep-blue Atlantic Ocean on the other. The Details: 12.4 miles from North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) You can learn about Eleuthera's pineapple industry history during a tour of the Eleuthera Pineapple Farm Rates start at $1,950 per night for two guests Pink Sands Resort Pink Sands Resort Book Now Also available to book at Booking.com What We Like The pink-sand beach, of course. What to Consider There are fewer dining options here than other, larger resorts on this list. You can walk along three miles of pink-sand beach at this oceanfront resort on Harbor Island. The lush garden grounds feature 20 cottages, villas, and residences, some of which include their own private plunge pool and kitchenette. The property has two restaurants: Malcolm 51 for fine dining and Blue Bar & Restaurant for breakfast and continental cuisine. A concierge team can curate events and activities, including weddings, boat charters, and day excursions to nearby North Eleuthera. You can also paddle board, snorkel, and bike. The Details: Harbour Island is a five-minute water taxi ride from ELH You can access some fine island dining at Blue Bar & Kitchen and Malcolm 51 Rates start at $1,782 per night for two guests Kahari Resort Kahari Resort Book Now Also available to book at Booking.com What We Like Stocking Island's marine life and attractions are plentiful, including underground sea caves and underwater macro fossils called stromatolites. What to Consider To reach this resort, you must take a flight to Exuma, a taxi ride, and a boat ride. Views of crystal-blue waters await at this eco-chic resort on Stocking Island in Exuma. Relax to the lull of the waves in one of the 12 wood-toned beachfront bungalows, which come with private outdoor showers and in-room wine and snacks. Green initiatives include rooftop solar panels that provide hot water throughout the property. A beach bar and seafood-forward restaurant round out the dining options. The Details: From Exuma International Airport (GGT), take a 15-minute (approximately 9.3-mile) taxi ride to the Peace & Plenty Resort, where you’ll take a five-minute boat ride to Kahari Resort Visit the casual beach bar Chat ‘N’ Chill and explore the fascinating Jacques Cousteau Mystery Cave Rates start at $560 per night for two guests Elbow Reef Bronwyn Knight / Elbow Reef Book Now Also available to book at Expedia.com What We Like We love the home-away-from-home feel of this intimate, eight-suite property. What to Consider If you’re looking for the social aspects of a large resort, this property may not be the best fit. Reopened in 2023, Elbow Reef is a boutique resort on Abaco with seven king rooms and one bunk room with four full beds. If you need more than that for your group, you can rent the entire property, accommodating up to 24 guests. A private rental includes personalized concierge services, a full-service bar, and housekeeping. Rooms offer direct access to the beach, and there is also an infinity pool with loungers. Spend the day on the secluded Tahiti Beach and Thirsty Cuda, a floating bar and grill. The Details: Elbow Cay is a 20-minute ferry ride from Marsh Harbour/Albury’s Ferry Service (four miles from Marsh Harbour International Airport, MHH) You can visit the iconic candy-striped Elbow Reef Lighthouse and explore the quaint village of Hope Town Rates start at $415 per night for two guests Know Before You Go Have a clear vision of your budget and interests. Do you want the feel of a private-island retreat? Do you prefer to be around others and choose from a number of activities? These hotels vary significantly in the type of experiences they offer and nightly rates.Consider location. Choose properties in Nassau if you’d prefer to be close to off-property options like casinos and shopping. For a more remote experience away from the bustle, consider hotels on Eleuthera and South Andros.Research what’s included. Many of these properties offer additional value by including access to their sibling properties, including restaurants and water sports rentals. How We Chose These Hotels Kristin Braswell is a travel journalist and entrepreneur from Los Angeles who has traveled extensively around the Caribbean for the last 15 years. The hotels on this list were chosen based on her experience and research. Readers of T+L have also recognized several of these hotels in the World's Best Awards.