The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in the Bahamas

A resort by name, French Leave is more like a mini community, with only 20 villas and a private marina. Spend your days taking advantage of the secluded pink-sand beach; there are stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and snorkeling gear to aid your exploration. The 1648 restaurant serves upscale Bahamian and international cuisine consisting of just-caught seafood and local produce, though you may prefer to take your meal by the freshwater pool or the ocean.

If you’re looking for a five-star hotel in the Bahamas, it doesn’t get much more stylish than this design-forward boutique in Nassau. The 30 rooms and suites are design-magazine beautiful, with Scandi- and island-inspired furnishings. It’s not all about the looks either: there’s a private 48-seat cinema showing the latest blockbusters, destination restaurants and sporty amenities including squash courts, a lap pool and an always-open gym.

If luxury means doing what you want, when you want, this Exumas outpost of the Sandals brand is a great choice. The all-inclusive package at this adults-only retreat includes unlimited dining at 11 top restaurants, premium liquors and and even scuba diving excursions with PADI-accredited pros. Accommodation options are plentiful, too, ranging from classy guest rooms to private villas with butler service. Three pools and a mile-long beach should satisfy everyone’s chilling-out needs.

If you’re an A-lister with the paps after you, the Cove is a dream hideout. This Bahamas luxury hotel is wedged between two private curves of sand, on the lesser known island of Eleuthera. Accommodation runs from minimal-but-stylish guest rooms to a three-bed, ocean-front villa with private butler service. Days start with 8am yoga on the pool deck and end with craft cocktails at the Point Bar, which sits on a bluff dividing the two beaches.

Loved by celebrities, the Cove is part of the most extravagant resort in the Bahamas: Atlantis. Suites at the Cove are perfect for couples, with floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto ocean-view balconies. There’s a four-tiered pool exclusive to this hotel, plus access to the beach and to all of the Atlantis facilities. These include a Mayan temple-inspired waterpark, 11 pools, 21 restaurants and 19 bars. Explore the resort’s open-air marine habitat, play some golf or head to the spa.

This swanky hotel was featured in the Casino Royale movie and is set on Paradise Island. Dating back to the ’60s, the resort has a retro feel and extends across 35 acres (14ha) of gardens dotted with tennis courts, a Balinese-style spa, pools and private cottages. The main, colonial-style house hosts evening entertainment and jazz music, plus champagne and strawberries are delivered to rooms at 6pm daily. Stay in the Hartford Wing for the most luxurious rooms.

Rosewood is part of Nassau’s huge Baha Mar hotel complex, which boasts 40 restaurants and bars, as well as a golf course, casino, mall and art gallery. Rooms occupy a 12-story high-rise building, which has soaring ceilings and a British feel, with local art and wood furnishings. If you’re splurging, opt for a beach villa with a pool and butler. Set on New Providence Island, guests can enjoy a white-sand beach, two pools, a spa and fitness center.

Come to the Grand Hyatt for ocean-view rooms and access to all the amenities of Baha Mar Resort. The complex lies on Cable Beach on New Providence Island and offers seven pool areas, including the peaceful adult-only area. Dine in one of 40 restaurants, try your luck at the casino, enjoy some retail therapy at the mall or play a round of golf. Families will love the kids’ clubs and sports facilities, and there’s a relaxing spa for adults.

Experience the wonder of Atlantis, a resort with unrivaled facilities. Picture marine lagoons, a championship golf course and a waterpark with 20 slides, including one that shoots through a shark lagoon. You’ll also have access to multiple pools, including adult-only havens, and multiple dining options and nightlife. The Reef is just one of the Atlantis hotels – this one specializes in residential-style studios and up to three-bed suites, many with kitchens and views over a private stretch of Paradise Beach.

SLS stands for Style, Luxury and Service, a mantra the hotel lives up to. Set within the Baha Mar Resort on New Providence Island, SLS has five restaurants and two pools specific to the hotel, as well as a chic rooftop bar for cocktails with a view. Expect opulent decor with high ceilings, fancy art and a clean, white color scheme. Guests can enjoy Baha Mar’s casino and mall, golf course, 40 restaurants and bars, plus a spa and multiple sports facilities.