About Barry Benjamin Expertise I am a hotel owner in the Out Islands for the last 30 years. I would like to help people understand what the Out Island experience is all about. I can answer questions about what hotels are like, what to do there, if they are moderate or expensive, who goes there generally, what the weather is like, what there is to do on individal islands, some contacts of people to talk to, a little history of some of the islands and my opinion on what are the most comfortable places to visit.
Expert: Barry Benjamin Date: 12/18/2005 Subject: Would like an all-inclusive place to stay in the Bahamas
Question Hi Barry.
Thanks for the answers. Let me give you a little more information and see if you have any other ideas.
I am traveling from Syracuse, NY to Nassua (had to book the airfare already). Not sure how easy it is to get to another island, but we will defintely be going to Nassua because the tickets are not refundable.
We don't mind staying in Nassau if there are some places for you to recommend or we can travel to anotehr island if it is easy enough.
We are simply looking to sit on a beac and relax, maybe explore the island a bit and its surroundings. That is about it. We are not looking to scuba or golf, but horse back riding might be nice.
Let me know if this provides other ideas for you.
Again, thank you for your time...
Craig
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
My wife and I are looking to book a weekend get away (4 days/3 nights) in the Bahamas February 2006.
We have read a ton of reviews on many hotels and am hoping to get a straight answer on where to stay.
Our goal is to find a nice, clean place (clean rooms, especially bath rooms, are a must) to simply relax and unwind.
Don't need a lot of entertainment, but wouldn't mind finding out some different things to do.
Looking to go All-inclusive simply so we don't have to worry about eating/drinking for the few days we are there.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Craig
Answer -
Craig:
There are many 'clean, comfortable' properties in the Bahamas. Since there are several different islands to choose from each with its own flavor, it is difficult to respond to your question. I am not giving you the brush off but being frank and honest when I say this, both to you the customer and the properties who want you to leave a happy and potentially returning guest.
One of the deciding factors in many cases is where you are traveling from as that can many times determine whether the guest can arrive at their destination the same day. If you are traveling from Florida it does make it somewhat easier and the choice of islands increases. If you are coming from most any major city in the eastern half of the US the choices are still great. If you are coming from anywhere west of the Mississippi the choices get down to three or four islands. Of course that doesn't mean you cannot get to the other islands it just means you might have to stay overnight in Florida or Nassau. Another determining factor in my reccommendations would be what you like to do, scuba, fishing, gambling, horseback riding, golf, tennis and or ? Most islands do NOT have all of these. Only Nassau and Grand Bahama has all of them in the quanity and quality that I would reccommend, but then Nassau is a big city and I don't know if you like big cities. Freeport on Grand Bahama is smaller but still acts like a big city. You can see my problem. If all you want are a list of clean, comfortable properties I have done that at the bottom of this email. February will be a month where most of the properties will be in high season as the winter is when most people want to come to the Bahamas. There is always the possibility of getting a discount if business is a little slow for a specific property and you can and should ask as most of these properties are either managed by the owner or the owner lives on the island.
1. Bluff House - Green Turtle Cay
2. Abaco Beach - Abaco
3. Treasure Cay - Abaco
4. Cove Eleuthera - Eleuthera
5. Small Hope Bay - Andros
6. Peace and Plenty Beach Inn - Exuma
7. Stella Maris - Long Island
I will answer any additional questions if you so desire.
Barry
Answer Craig:
Ok! You can get to any of the other islands in the Bahamas from Nassau. I would suggest you look at Abaco, Eleuthera or Exuma. There are many flights each day to any one of those islands.
As for places, I would look on bahamas.com first. They have just about every property on any of the islands that is open for business.
Any of the places I suggested earlier on those islands I feel would fit your requirements easily.
If you feel like just staying in Nassau, then I would be careful. You can find great beaches but also lots of people and then you can find a place with very few people but not so hot a beach. None of the ones that are small and likely to not be crowded I have visited personally. So, your on your own in Nassau.
good luck.
Barry
