The Best Hotels in Nassau, Bahamas

This is the most luxurious of the three hotels scattered in Baha Mar – the Bahamas’ largest resort complex. Expect butlers, furnished balconies, deep soaking tubs and, if you choose one of its three- or six-bedroom villas, your very own private pool. Whether you fancy a morning of paddle boarding, an afternoon at Sense Spa, cocktails around one of its two pools or an intimate dinner at refined Café Boulud, you’ll find calm amongst a ton of activity.

Not only will you feel like a celebrity at this all-suite resort, you might even brush past a few at the intimate private pool or at the Mandara Spa. Part of the family-friendly Atlantis Paradise mega resort, the Cove enjoys its own stretch of private beach lined with cozy cabanas, an array of luxe restaurants and bars (adults-only Sip Sip offers beachfront Bahamian dining with killer rum punches), plus rooms offer floor-to-ceiling ocean views, French balconies and large marble bathrooms for refined relaxation.

This palm-studded private estate is a world away from Nassau’s crowds – the ideal spot to disconnect and slow down. Book an ocean-view room for the best vistas of the sun setting over the marina. Elsewhere, it’s all about relaxation: start your day with lengths in the large heated pool before heading to the Bamford Spa and joining an antigravity yoga class. In the evening, catch a movie at the 48-seat cinema with a wine in hand.

Perhaps most famous for playing a starring role in the opening scenes of Casino Royale, the Ocean Club sits among a whopping 35 acres (14ha) of impeccable gardens; a spot where luxury knows no bounds. Accommodation ranges from oceanfront rooms with private balconies to incredible four-bedroom villas complete with a full-service kitchen, infinity pool and your own private butler ready to cater to your every whim. Elsewhere, four bars and restaurants hit the spot with a dash of Bahamian spice and idyllic sunset views.

They say the best things come in small packages, and this 10-bedroom boutique hotel, in the western district of New Providence, is no exception. Situated high above sea level with uninterrupted views of Lake Killarney to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, there’s a massage suite, gym and private pool on site, while all of Nassau’s hotspots are a short drive away. Guests rave about its Bahamian breakfast and flawless service that, as expected, always comes with a smile.

SLS at Baha Mar promises exactly what it stands for: style, luxury and service. Amenities are second to none – think five restaurants and lounges, two pools and a stylish rooftop bar that’s the place to see and be seen in the city – guests can also take advantage of everything the sprawling Baha Mar has to offer, including the Bahamas’ largest casino, a palatial spa, a Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course, shopping arcades, a kids’ club and an art gallery. It’s safe to say you’ll never get bored.

The most iconic of the three properties where you can drop your suitcase at the palatial Atlantis resort, the Royal is perfectly positioned to enjoy everything this behemoth has to offer. Built around a 141-acre (57ha) water park Aquaventure, water babies will feel at home among its 11 pools, cascading waterfalls and salt-water lagoons. There’s also one of the world’s largest open-air marine habitats, plus Dolphin Cay, a state-of-the-art education centre where you can learn about, and play with, these friendly marine mammals – great for kids and adults alike.

As Nassau’s oldest hotel, this swish Hilton outpost is bursting at the seams with history and grandeur. Sitting on its very own private beach flanked by blissful cabanas, water sports may be on tap, yet the outdoor freshwater swimming pool is the place to unwind with a tropical cocktail in hand. Rooms boast large marble bathrooms and glorious harbour views.

One of Nassau’s newest resorts, this humongous gathering of beaches, reefs, wrecks and bars is paradise for scuba divers, sun chasers and everyone in between. Bask in the warm ocean breeze at Fins Up Water Park, splash around the lazy river, indulge in a little R&R at the in-house spa or treat yourself to a succulent steak at JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, named after Jimmy Buffett himself. Family-friendly, there’s a kids club for when you need some grown-up time, too.

Last but certainly not least, Baha Mar’s third hotel has so much going on, you’ll never want to leave. Bringing a touch of Las Vegas to the Bahamas with its 100,000sqft (9,290sqm) casino and dancing fountains, those not heading directly to the beach can make use of six swimming pools, a wildlife sanctuary, luxury shopping and an arts centre. There are more than 30 dining options on site, too, ranging from glitzy, celebrity chef-driven Japanese plates at Katsuya to the Drift Pool Bar, which comes highly recommended for its grilled lobster mac-and-cheese.