The 9 Best Bahamas Hotels of 2023

Palm trees and a sunny day in an idyllic beach with emerald water at Caribbean Nassau, Bahamas — Pola Damonte via Getty Images /Getty Images

The islands of the Bahamas boast some of the most breathtakingly beautiful beaches in the world—there’s just something otherworldly about the colors of the sky, the sand, and the sea here. In addition to powdery-soft sand, stunning coral reefs, and translucent aquamarine waters, the Bahamas are home to several World Heritage Sites, plus truly excellent cuisine, culture, and architecture. With over 700 islands and cays to choose from, there are hundreds of awesome lodging options available, but these are the best places to stay now.

Best Overall: Tiamo Resort

Tiamo Resort offers something a little different than most other lodgings in the Bahamas: namely, non-touristy seclusion and eco-friendly amenities, all in a gorgeous setting. The resort is accessible by seaplane or boat only and located on the most under-populated island in the Bahamas, right on a rugged, unspoiled slice of coastline that’s surrounded by lush forest and picturesque mangrove wetlands.

Originally opened in 2001, Tiamo Resort was designed with the local environment in mind; all 11 villas blend seamlessly into the area’s natural surroundings and are built from sustainable pine wood, thatch, and other responsibly farmed materials. Decor can best be described as minimalist boho-chic, with crisp white fabrics and soothing neutral tones, and each villa has its own porch or veranda, as well as private access to the beach. Tiamo’s stellar facilities include a shared infinity pool overlooking the glittering waves, an open-air bar and restaurant, business center, air-conditioned gym, well-stocked library, and the spacious Great Room, a communal ocean-view room with plenty of cozy lounge chairs and elegant dining.

Best Budget: BahaSea Backpackers

Travelers on a budget should look no further than BahaSea Backpackers, a popular hostel located right on the water’s edge in Nassau, across from Sandyport. With free Wi-Fi throughout the property and a private beach area, there’s not much else you need, though BahaSea goes above and beyond in other ways as well.

Guestrooms and communal spaces here are sparsely decorated yet pristine (none of the typical hostel grunginess applies to BahaSea) and there’s a wide selection of rooms — 15 private and four shared dorms — to pick from, depending on how many travel companions you have with you. Some rooms even have ocean views, so be sure to inquire about that before booking. Other on-site amenities include a stocked kitchen, two swimming pools, direct access to the ocean, snorkel and kayak rentals, and plenty of hammocks to lounge in after a full day of exploring. The staff is warm and friendly, and always ready to provide you with personalized travel recs. For best value when it comes to budget lodging, BahaSea Backpackers is the perfect place to hole up for a while.

Best Boutique: Graycliff Hotel

Chic and historic, the Graycliff Hotel is an architectural gem situated on the outskirts of Nassau. The hotel was formerly a colonial mansion (as legend has it, the mansion was built in 1740 by Captain Howard Graysmith, a famed pirate of the Caribbean) and today, the property retains much of its old-world charms in the form of 18th-century decor and priceless antiques.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Graycliff’s history runs deep — but the hotel also boasts several state-of-the-art modern amenities, as well, including a cigar factory (where guests can learn how to roll their own), two pools, one of the largest wine cellars in the world, a sprawling gazebo, and leafy-green gardens, plus the Graycliff Chocolatier, where guests can take chocolate-making classes and sample delicious desserts. All 20 rooms are individually styled with Victorian-era flourishes and opulent amenities including a whirlpool bath, minibar, chaise longues, luxury toiletries, and more.

Best for Families: Sunrise Beach Clubs and Villas

If you’re traveling with multiple family members in tow, you could opt for one of the many mega-resorts in the Bahamas (there’s certainly no shortage of them) — or you could stay at the peaceful Sunrise Beach Clubs and Villas, located in Paradise Island. Families of all sizes love the tranquil atmosphere, reasonable nightly rates, and wide variety of accommodations, in addition to close proximity to countless restaurants, shops, and entertainment (including the Atlantis Casino) in downtown Nassau and the nearby Atlantis Resort.

The scenic property features one- to five-bedroom villas, each of which has a spectacular ocean view, fully equipped kitchen, terrace, and more. Other family-friendly perks include a separate pool for kiddos, a private beach, sofa beds and rollaways, and access to an array of aquatic activities such as wave runner rentals, parasailing, snorkeling, and banana boat rides.

Best for Romance: Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore

For couples who prefer the ease of an all-inclusive vacation, the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau is the picture-perfect romantic getaway. Set on the sparkling sand of Cable Beach, with glittering turquoise-green waters lapping at the shore, this luxe, intimate resort even has its very own couples-only offshore island. That’s right: For those craving serious oceanside privacy, the Sandals resort offers access to an exclusive isle with two gorgeous beaches, a swim-up bar, and the ever-so-chic Beach Club. Plus, nearly every square inch of the resort itself was designed with romance in mind, from the Luxury Love Nest suites — that include butler service and private Mercedes or Rolls-Royce airport transfers — to the Red Lane Spa, which offers heart rock massages and other full body treatments right on the beach. There are also several five-star restaurants scattered across the premises for guests who want to indulge in a gourmet meal or two during their stay.

Best for Luxury: The Cove Eleuthera, Bahamas

Luxury-seeking travelers adore The Cove for its high-class amenities, magnificent pearly white beaches, and relentlessly upscale accommodations. Peacefully secluded far away from the tourist hordes (the closest populated area is over a mile away), The Cove is a serene oasis with stunning views of the bright blue Exuma Sound and the crashing Atlantic waves.

This 57-room resort has a variety of villas and cottages to pick from, and each is decked out with stylish nautical decor and all the modern conveniences you could possibly want, including plush 500-thread-count linens, 50-inch flat screen TVs, top-of-the-line bath amenities, Wi-Fi access, Nespresso coffee makers, and room service. There are plenty of on-site perks, including a hilltop infinity pool, signature dining options, for-hire vehicles for those who want to explore the island, a world-class spa that specializes in holistic bodywork, and complimentary kayaks, snorkeling equipment, bikes, and paddle boards.

Best for Singles: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

With its myriad activities and amenities, there’s never a dull moment at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, which is why single travelers would do well to stay here. This popular Nassau luxury resort is home to six swimming pools, a 30,000-square-foot fitness facility, a blissed-out spa, the towering Baha Mar Casino (the largest in the Caribbean), a top-quality golf course, numerous high-end shops, tennis courts, a dazzling array of restaurants, and so much more.

The possibilities here are endless: Head to the pool for movie night, sip fruity cocktails at the swim-up bar, rent a kayak or paddleboard right in front of the hotel, or indulge in the spa’s famed Seashell Massage, all before relaxing in your sleek quarters for the evening. Rooms at the Grand Hyatt are sizeable and decorated with bright jewel tones, soft white linens, and black-and-white prints; all rooms and suites include a full or Juliet balcony. And, location-wise, you’re just a short taxi or bus ride away from bustling downtown Nassau.

Best for Business: SLS Baha Mar

For business-savvy travelers, the SLS Baha Mar is the perfect combination of luxe amenities, downtown buzz, and sophisticated facilities. Located just ten minutes from Lynden Pindling International Airport, this Nassau-situated retreat offers cutting-edge conference rooms, plentiful technology, and a rooftop pavilion that’s perfect for morning meetings and cocktail hours, in addition to several other work-focused spaces.

With 299 rooms (including 107 suites) and an abundance of dining options, shops, and nightlife experiences, the SLS Baha Mar is chock-full of amenities that business travelers will find enticing. Each room is decorated almost entirely in white, with the only color coming from the azure ocean as seen through floor-to-ceiling windows; all rooms and suites, regardless of size, have robes, slippers, coffeemakers, mini-bars, USB ports, and room service. At the end of your workday, be sure to unwind with your colleagues at the Royal Blue Golf Course, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature course, or simply luxuriate on a comfy beach lounger with a cold drink in hand at the lovely Cable Beach.

Best B&B: A Stone’s Throw Away

Quaint, enchanting, and virtually every other adjective you could use to describe a B&B, A Stone’s Throw Away is one of the most beloved lodges in the Bahamas. With panoramic views of the shining ocean and surrounding pine forest, A Stone’s Throw Away resembles an old Bahamian home, with its huge wraparound porch, gleaming wooden floors, and colonial-era design touches. The intimate hotel can accommodate up to 20 guests, and rooms come with all the essentials, including a TV with cable channels, air conditioning, mini-bar, balcony, desk, bathtub or shower, alarm clock, and more. A tasty breakfast is served every morning at the cheery on-site restaurant, which typically consists of toast, cereals, yogurt, cheese, fresh fruit, and eggs. Guests can get a rejuvenating massage at the spa and wellness center, take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool, or head straight for the beach (located just a few steps away) during their stay.

The 8 Best Nassau Hotels of 2023

Our Process

Our writers spent 5 hours researching the most popular hotels in the Bahamas. Before making their final recommendations, they considered 30 different hotels and read over 45 user reviews (both positive and negative). All of this research adds up to recommendations you can trust.