How to Save Money at Baha Mar: Review of This Amazing Bahamas Resort

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Baha Mar Resort is the most popular resort in the Bahamas and it’s not hard to see why! Its bright colors and beautifully designed pools and beach area make this place a top pick for your trip to Nassau, Bahamas!

This is my honest review of this spectacular resort.

Review of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Resort in Nassau

We recently spent 4-days at the Baha Mar Resort in Nassau and had the time of our lives!

When looking for places to stay for our upcoming Bahamas family trip, I couldn’t decide if we should stay at Atlantis or try to experience something new. So I ended up booking both!

The more and more I read about Nassau, Bahamas, the more the name ‘Baha Mar’ kept popping up. And I knew the moment I saw the photos that I wanted to stay there.

So we ended up splitting our trip in half. We spent four days at Atlantis and 4 days at Baha Mar. I can tell you hands down that the Baha Mar Resort was our favorite and I wish we would have stayed here the whole time. Even the kids loved Baha Mar more than Atlantis!

Baha Bay, the resort’s water park, was a hit with its family-friendly attractions like various slides and a lazy river. The Baha Bay Beach Club also offers quality loungers, making it a perfect spot for relaxation.

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar: The Resort

Baha Mar is only a few years old (built in 2017) and it’s very apparent. The design and decor are impeccable and everything is clean and modern.

From the second you pull up to the towering walls of waterfalls and step inside the glamourous reception, you feel like you’re at a really really expensive resort!

Just walking through Baha Mar is an experience in itself. The casino is the biggest in the Bahamas and every detail from the floors to the windows and giant crystal chandeliers will make you swoon.

The rooms are no bigger than a regular hotel room but the design of them makes you feel like you are staying in a luxury resort. My daughter actually screamed “We are SO rich!” when we walked into our room.

The bathroom is big and luxurious with a giant soaking tub and a big door you can open to the room or close for privacy. There were also several chargers and USB ports everywhere and even an iPad you can play games on or order room service with.

Even the wristband they give you is pretty cool. It’s electronic acts as your room key and lets you charge food and drink to your room. So you never need to worry about bringing cash with you to the pool, but keep in mind that Baha Mar is not an inclusive resort, and dining and drinks can be expensive.

*We do, however, use this nifty little gadget to lock up our phones and valuables at the pool. At the pool, you can visit the island bar and consider purchasing a refillable drink cup, which is a cost-effective option compared to other venues on the property.

Location and Accessibility

Baha Mar is perfectly situated on the stunning Cable Beach in Nassau, Bahamas, making it a prime destination for travelers. The resort is conveniently located just about 10 miles from Nassau International Airport, ensuring a quick and easy transfer to your tropical paradise. Whether you prefer taxis, shuttles, or private car services, getting to Baha Mar is a breeze.

Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the resort’s private beach and pier, offering breathtaking views of the turquoise ocean. The location not only provides easy access to the beach but also places you close to Nassau’s vibrant downtown area, where you can explore local culture and cuisine.

Accommodations

Baha Mar offers a diverse range of accommodations designed to cater to different tastes and budgets, ensuring every guest has a memorable stay. Whether you’re looking for a cozy room or a lavish suite, Baha Mar has something for everyone.

Types of Rooms and Suites

At Baha Mar, you can choose from a variety of rooms and suites, each offering unique features and luxurious amenities:

Deluxe Rooms: These rooms provide a comfortable and stylish retreat with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and minibars. Perfect for those who want a cozy yet elegant space to unwind.
Suites: For those seeking more space, the suites at Baha Mar offer separate living areas, bedrooms, and luxurious bathrooms. These suites are ideal for families or anyone looking for a bit more room to relax.
Villas: The villas at Baha Mar are the epitome of luxury, featuring private pools, outdoor kitchens, and stunning ocean views. These are perfect for guests who want a private, upscale experience.
Luxury Suites: These suites take luxury to the next level with private balconies, outdoor tubs, and personalized butler service. If you’re looking to indulge, these suites are the way to go.

Tips for Choosing the Right Room

Choosing the perfect room at Baha Mar can enhance your stay significantly. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice:

Ocean View: Book a room with an ocean view to wake up to the stunning sight of the turquoise sea every morning.
Space and Luxury: Opt for a suite or villa if you need more space or want to enjoy luxury amenities like private pools and outdoor kitchens.
Location: Consider booking a room in the west tower for easier access to the beach and pool areas.
Outdoor Living: Look for rooms with private balconies or patios to enjoy the beautiful Bahamian weather right from your room.

The Restaurants at Baha Mar Resort

The only negative thing I could ever say about Baha Mar is that the food is VERY expensive. But that’s the same everywhere you go in Nassau, so you have to just budget for that. I did request a microwave and mini-fridge for our stay but we never got them. Mentioning the practicality of bringing your own alcohol can also help save on drink costs.

The cheapest way to have breakfast is to grab something from Starbucks, or their other coffee shop, Cafe Madeline. But even just drinks and a donut for 4 people cost us $50. Consider bringing breakfast foods like granola bars to save money. I would definitely say we spent as much on food as we did on the cost of the room, maybe even more. To save money, consider having an early dinner at local establishments.

There are way too many places to eat to mention or even try but I’ll tell you about the ones we went to and really enjoyed.

Cafe Madeline did end up being one of our favorite spots to visit. The coffee was so much better than Starbucks and they had really good pastries and breakfast sandwiches in the morning. Then at night, they had desserts and gelato.

3 Tides Fish House – This was a great dinner spot for all of us. The kids were able to get their chicken fingers and we had the best grouper with lobster sauce. There was also some kind of dessert we saw that resembled a towering milkshake with cotton candy on top, but we were so fun we didn’t try this.

Pizza Lab – You can walk in and grab food to go from their take-out counter. Or sit outside (or inside) and enjoy everything from fresh pizza to an assortment of pasta dishes.

Stix – you can grab some great Chinese rice and noodle bowls here, made fresh while you watch. The prices weren’t too outrageous. And the kids enjoyed a teriyaki chicken bowl while I had a quite large Pad Thai bowl.

Sandy Dog – This was one of the cute food trucks out by the beach. They had all sorts of hot dogs with tons of toppings. I loved the chili and cheese hot dog. And you could get the meal for $15 which included a drink (including beer) and a bag of chips. Perfect for a quick lunch out by the beach.

El Jefe – Another cute food truck! El Jefe served all types of Mexican food from burritos and nachos and tacos.

Drift Bar and Pool – A bar and grill by the pool. We only had drinks and snacks here but we loved the poolside seafood ceviche! Not to mention the Pina Coladas, but that’s just me.

Regatta – Regatta is a buffet restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. you just have to check the times to make sure they are not closed as they are during some parts of the day to switch the menu. You won’t find any authentic Bahamian cuisine here, but you will find an assortment of food that will please anyone in your family.

TIP: If you want really good, really inexpensive food… you can easily go to downtown Nassau for that. We took the Jitney (local bus) over to Fish Fry and had some really amazing conch fritters and grilled lobster for less than $20. The jitney is only $1.25 per person so all four of us rode it for $5. And it’s mostly made up of tourists so we felt completely safe. Exploring off-site dining options is a great way of saving money.

Food Trucks and Casual Eats

Baha Mar offers a fantastic array of casual dining options, perfect for grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a relaxed meal. The food trucks and casual eateries are a highlight, offering delicious and diverse options:

The Swimming Pig: This 24-hour restaurant is a must-visit for its mouth-watering burgers, sandwiches, and salads. It’s the perfect spot for a late-night snack or a casual meal.
Pizza Lab: Craving pizza? Head over to Pizza Lab, where you can enjoy gourmet pizzas and fresh salads. It’s a great option for a quick and tasty meal.
El Jefe: This vibrant Mexican food truck serves up delicious tacos, burritos, and other Mexican favorites. It’s a hit with guests looking for flavorful and satisfying meals.
Street Bird: If you’re in the mood for comfort food, Street Bird offers crispy chicken sandwiches and other hearty options that are sure to hit the spot.

Fine Dining and Special Occasions

For those special occasions or romantic evenings, Baha Mar boasts several fine dining restaurants that promise an unforgettable culinary experience:

Cafe Boulud: This upscale restaurant offers French-inspired cuisine with a focus on local ingredients. It’s perfect for a sophisticated dining experience.
25° North: Enjoy contemporary American cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients at 25° North. The elegant setting makes it ideal for special occasions.
Barracuda: Seafood lovers will adore Barracuda, where fresh seafood is served with stunning ocean views. It’s a great spot for a memorable dinner.
Stixx: This Asian-fusion restaurant offers a range of small plates and sushi, perfect for sharing and enjoying a variety of flavors.

These fine dining options provide a range of settings for special occasions, including private dining rooms, outdoor seating, and personalized service. Be sure to make reservations in advance to secure your spot at these popular restaurants.

By incorporating these new sections, the article will provide a comprehensive and engaging review of the Baha Mar Resort, covering all aspects from location and accommodations to dining options.

The Pools and Beach at Baha Mar

Baha Mar may not have waterslides as Atlantis does but what they do have blows Atlantis out of the water. The pools (there are several!) are all unique and have fun features.

There are some adult-only pools. And even one pool where you have to rent a cabana to be able to access it. It looked so peaceful and relaxing because there weren’t too many people in that one!

Our favorite pool was down by the beach area. It had zero entry so you could walk right into it. But it also had these rocks you could walk up and jump off into a really deep section like you were cliff jumping. I even tried this out and it was really fun! And much higher than it looks!

The same pool had a giant aquarium where you could stand in a waterfall or view the underwater sea life. If you like taking Instagram pictures, you will be in heaven here!

So you could walk into a giant cave-like area and view sea life and just walk around under the rocks.

I want to also mention that there are bars sprinkled around every pool and we did not have a hard time finding some drinks or snacks throughout the day.

If you came to the Bahamas to see the beach and the ocean, you are in luck! Baha Mar also has a ton of beachfront where you can swim and play and plenty of lounge chairs out there too.

One thing I actually really really liked about Baha Mar Resort is that there was white sand everywhere. Even around the pool areas. So you always felt like you were on the beach, no matter where you were sitting.

Another plus to this resort is that everything felt really close. At Atlantis, I felt like I had to walk a mile to find the bathroom but in Baha Mar, there are restrooms, food, drinks, pools, etc and everything is super close to the beach too. It wasn’t hard to find anything and everything felt nice and close.

Other Fun Things at Baha Mar Resort

Our first day there we just spent walking around the property and I was really surprised at what I saw (besides the amazing pools and beach).

They had an exploration center where we got to watch them feed the sharks. There was also a small ocean life petting zoo and the kids got to pet stingrays, starfish, sea cucumbers, and even some sea urchins.

For those looking to maximize their experience and save money, here are some Baha Mar tips: consider visiting during off-peak hours for discounts and bring your own snacks to avoid high food prices.

You could also view the same sea life here from above that you also saw underwater in the aquarium. They have sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, and tons of fish. The turtles and sharks were kept apart though!

There were also several other little shops and food places along the side of the resort. This is where we found the ice cream store (essential for traveling with kids!) and Daqs... a blend-your-own daiquiri bar. You literally pedal a stationary bike to mix your own drink. So fun!

Continue around the corner and you come to a small Aviary. During certain hours of the day, you can walk through an area with some of the coolest-looking tropical birds!

Overall Baha Mar Review

If you have to choose a place to stay in the Bahamas, hands down you need to stay at the Baha Mar. It’s absolutely worth the price.

I promise your kids will love every second of being there, and you will feel like you are at a luxury resort.

Kids aren’t really your thing? That’s ok too because there are enough adults-only pools and bars at the resort for you to have a nice time relaxing and having a few drinks.

If we ever decide to return to the Bahamas, I would book my full vacation here. Even with 4 days there, we didn’t get to try a lot of restaurants I wanted to. To save money at Baha Mar, consider bringing your own food, using loyalty program benefits, and shopping at local grocery stores. These strategies can help you significantly reduce overall expenses while still enjoying the luxurious resort. And we didn’t have a chance to use their paddleboards, kayaks, or snorkel gear (all are complimentary to resort guests!)

Oh, and you know what I LOVE about Baha Mar Resort? THEY DON’T SELL DAY PASSES! So the only people there are guests of the resort. No cruise ship passengers. Which was great because it never seemed too crowded.

Don’t Forget About the Flamingos!

How could I almost end this without mentioning the cool flamingos on the property?!?! These guys are right in the middle of all the action and really make you feel like you are in paradise.

They are behind a fence, but you can pay extra to spend time with them and feed them if you want to!