Bahamas Great Values

The 26 relaxed, island-style bungalows at The Cove are set on 27 acres fronting the most breathtaking pink sand beach in the Bahamas, just a couple of miles northwest of Gregorytown. Each of the rooms and suites is adorned with iPods, beds with 600 thread-count sheets, tile floors, and spacious living areas just steps from the surf. Walk up to their hilltop pool for superb views of Eleuthera. For the price, the Cove borders on peerless.

This stylish boutique hotel is owned by India Hicks, who is the daughter of British designer David Hicks, part English royalty, a former fashion model, and – if you’re not impressed yet – she was also one of Princess Diana’s bridesmaids. Overlooking Dumore Town’s harbor, the circa 1800 house has been restored with hardwood floors covered in seagrass mats, a new pool, and a gourmet international restaurant. The seven airy rooms (request one with a view of the harbor) have mahogany four poster beds and Ralph Lauren linens.

If you consider yourself an angler, you have probably heard about this place. For six decades many of the world’s best fishermen, a slew of celebrities (among them, Martin Luther King Jr. and Judy Garland), loyal guests, and Florida yachties have been flocking to this place on North Bimini, Hemingway’s so-called Island in the Stream. Now owned by the Bacardi International, the laid back property underwent a major renovation in 2002 adding high tech new sport fishing boats, expanding the 100-slip marina, and equipping the hotel with Wi-Fi.

Xanadu was once the home of billionaire Howard Hughes, though he probably wouldn’t recognize it today. The 85 brightly colored guest rooms and 25 suites are set amid man-made canals, a full service marina, and dive shop. It’s near Freeport, and not far from the International Bazaar and a decent stretch of beach. Occasional package deals with Spirit airlines cut down the prices here dramatically, making the property an even better value than it already is.

Enjoy the facilities of Cable Beach without paying Cable Beach prices. Right in the heart of the downtown action, this big, budget-minded resort and conference center is right across the street from Junkanoo/Lighthouse beach and only a few minutes from the straw market. While it isn’t the Atlantis, there are two pools, 180 clean rooms, balconies overlooking the beach and Nassau harbor, and a reasonably priced restaurant.

Explore the rich history of The Bahamas through the permanent collection or experience Bahamian creativity in one of the ongoing exhibitions. Best bargain in Nassau: free movies on Thursday nights. Open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

Open since 1968, this independent, Swiss-owned, Bahamian eatery is located in a pyramid shaped...more

Perched on a 40-foot sand dune on a small cay near Great Abaco, this extremely happening bar and...more