Tag: Old Fort Bay Nassau

Bahamas accommodations

Bahamas accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “The Islands of Song”.

Bahamas known for: white / pink sand beaches, water activities, fishing, underground caverns, mangrove estuaries, Conch, Bahama Mama cocktails, swimming pigs, pirate legends

700 islands and 2,400 cay archipelagos make up The Bahamas, which is located a few hundred miles southeast of Florida. With visibility upwards of 200 feet below the surface, turquoise Bahamian waters are some of the world’s clearest. The Bahamas capital, Nassau is located on New Providence island. Once home to pirate legends such as Henry Every (Long Ben), Benjamin Hornigold (turncoat pirate hunter), Henry Jennings (turncoat pirate hunter), Edward Teach or Edward Thache Jr. (Blackbeard – American Patriot?), Charles Vane, John Rackham (Calico Jack), Samuel Bellamy (Black Sam), New Providence (Nassau) was arguably the greatest first example of a Republic.

Bahamas main airport: Lynden Pindling International Airport (Nassau)

Airport car rental agencies: Avis Bahamas

Rideshare service: unavailable

Licensed taxis will have the word “Taxi” on the license plate.

19 additional Bahamas airports provide international service.

To get from New Providence (Nassau) to other islands such as Andros (The Bahanas largest island) take domestic flight or ferry. A domestic flight from New Providence island to Andros island should take about 20 minutes. Flights to Andros are also possible from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Domestic flight service: Titan Air, Le Air, SkyBahamas (to Cat Island)

Flights to Andros from Fort Lauderdale: Makers Air, Aztec Airways

Ferry service: Bahamas Ferries (Nassau to other islands)

Bahamas top events: Junkanoo, Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival, Cat Island Rake And Scrape Festival, Eleuthera Pineapple Festival, All Andros Crab Festival

 More fun things (from Nassau): Scenic Powerboat Trip with Swimming Pigs, Catamaran Cruise & More Swimming Pigs!

The Bahamas of today has become popular for mobile business (massage therapy, catering, bars / bartenders). English is The Bahamas primary language. Local, colloquial words include tings (things) and tanks (thanks). When out at night in The Bahamas it’s generally best to stick to tourist / accommodations areas. The Bahamas currency is the Bahamian Dollar, cars travel on the left-hand side and the drinking age is 18 years old. Good to know is that United States Dollars are also readily accepted. Bahamas accommodations are some of the Caribbean’s best. Before we get to Bahamas accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.

The Taino people, moving from Hispaniola, first inhabited The Bahamas sometime around 500 AD. Known as the Lucayan people, original Bahamian residents numbered around 30,000 upon Christopher Columbus’ arrival circa 1492. The first European to discover The Bahamas, Columbus likely made landfall in what he named San Salvador, an island locally known as Guanahani. Columbus exchanged goods with “Indians” in this “New World”, which he claimed for the Crown of Castile. The Treaty of Tordesillas circa 1494 between Portugal and Castile placed The Bahamas in Spanish control. From 1513 to 1648, Castile shipped native Lucayans as slaves back to Hispaniola, resulting in The Bahamas’ desolation. The Bahamas’ first European settlers were known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, led by William Sayle, who commenced development between 1646 and 1648. Sayle, wanting a place to worship God freely while establishing England’s claim to The Bahamas archipelago, settled on the Island of Segatoo, which was renamed Eleuthera after the Greek word meaning “freedom”.  King Charles II granted the islands to the Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas circa 1670. From there, the age of piracy and attacks ensued. In 1684, Spanish corsair Juan de Alcon raided the capital of Charles Town (later renamed Nassau). In March 1696, the English pirate Henry Every, captaining the ship Fancy, anchored at Royal Island off Eleuthera. Avery, bribing then-governor Nicholas Trott with gold and silver, established Nassau as a safe-haven pirate base. At this time, the legendary pirate Blackbeard, under Benjamin Hornigold’s tutelage, sought refuge in Nassau. In 1703, a joint Franco-Spanish expedition briefly occupied Nassau during the War of the Spanish Succession. Hornigold, in 1713, led the establishment of Nassau’s Republic of Pirates. The English sea captain, privateer and slave trader Woodes Rogers was sent by the British crown to restore order in The Bahamas. After a difficult struggle, Rogers succeeded in suppressing piracy by way of George I‘s “Kings Pardon“, which would grant clemency to any pirate who agreed no later than September 5, 1718. Many pirates, including Hornigold, agreed to the King’s Pardon and became “pirate hunters”. Others, such as Calico Jack and Charles Vane, were ultimately gibbeted, while Blackbeard was covertly killed in action by way of decapitation.  Following the Golden Age of Piracy, African slaves brought to the island made up the majority of the population until 1834, when slavery was abolished. The Bahamas became an independent Commonwealth realm in 1973, and thereafter has relatively flourished by way of tourism and offshore finance.

Officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, The Bahamas is an island country in the West Indies’ Lucayan Archipelago. Consisting of an island chain spread out over 500 miles and over 100,000 square miles of ocean, The Bahamas is home to over 400,000 “Bahamians”. One of the Americas’ richest countries, The Bahamas and its currency keeps a 1-to-1 fixed exchange rate with the United States Dollar. Tourism accounts for about 70% of the country’s GDP, and employs about half of its workforce. In 2012, 5.8 million people visited The Bahamas, 70% of which were cruise visitors. Militarily, The Bahamas has only a navy, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, mandated in the name of the King to defend the territory. Goombay, a musical method of storytelling and dancing with a tropical calypso-style melody, is the islands’ official music, while Rake ‘n’ Scrape and Junkanoo are other music types. Named after the Lucayan people, a branch of the Tainos, the Lucayan Archipelago enjoys a tropical Savannah climate, with average high temperatures ranging from 77 degrees Fahrenheit in January, to 90 degrees in August. Historically, hurricane season has been strongest during the August and September months. Bahamian wildlife includes Conch, flamingoes, sea turtles, Abaco Parrots, Bahamian rock iguanas (vulnerable), Sandy Cay iguanas (critically endangered), dolphins and of course, the infamous Exumus pigs. Tiger Beach, an hour-long boat ride from the Grand Bahamas’ West End, in particular is home to tiger sharks. If and when diving, no matter where but especially at Tiger Beach, it is of course wisest to be with a local guide. Not advisable is ocean-swimming anywhere at night. The most common shark species found around the islands is the Caribbean Reef Shark (endangered), which is typically harmless unless provoked. Inland, Hamilton’s Cave, where the Lucayans are thought to have lived at about 500 AD, is the islands’ largest cave system. Found in shallow waters throughout the islands, mangroves are important ecosystems filled with various wildlife in summer and winter. Bahamas points of interest include Blue Lagoon Island, Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park, Dean’s Blue Hole, Cable Beach and Paradise Island. Local foods include cracked conch  (a Bahamian signature dish), rock lobster, stew fish, Johnnycakes (a type of cornmeal flatbread that was an early American staple food), conch salad, pigeon peas and rice, baked crab, souse (head cheese), grouper with grits and rum cake. Fun drinks include the Bahama Mama (rum, orange and pineapple juice, crushed ice), Rum Punch, the Bushwacker (rum-based coffee-like cocktail), Hibiscus Margaritas and more. The Bahamian national drink is switcha,  a non-alcoholic, lemon-lime flavored beverage. Excited perhaps by a little background information on the area, we’re ready for Bahamas accommodations that will help make for an unforgettable experience.

 

 

 

The Island House

Mahogany Hill, Western Road, Nassau

Old Fort Bay Nassau

Hotel amenities: restaurant, 82-foot lap pool, terrace, spa center, fitness room, local art, flat-screen TVs, energy-conserving automated lights, hairdryers, 24-hour front desk, free yoga classes, squash court, paddle tennis court, water sports facilities, cinema, car rentals

Nearby: Cocoplum Bistro, Island Brothers Cie (French bistro), The Captain’s Table (restaurant), St Paul The Apostle Catholic Church, Captains Beach, Lyford Cay Club Marina

Within feet:

• • • Old Fort Bay Nassau

Within 7 miles:

• • • Cable Beach

Within 12.4 miles:

• • • Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park

Within 2.9 miles:

• • • Lynden Pindling International Airport

Approximate cost per night (executive suite): $1,063

Cost per person (four people): $266

 

 

 

KettleStone Luxury Villa

Private Lane, Andros Town, Central Andros, Fresh Creek

Coakley Town | Fresh Creek | Androsia Batik Works Factory

Villa amenities: oceanfront, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, private pool, hot tub, kitchen, parking

Nearby: The Beach House (bar), Andros Distributors (supermarket), Gaitor’s Variety Store & Deli (grocery store), 700 Wine & Spirits (liquor store), Captain Bill’s Blue Hole (tourist attraction), Fresh Creek Inlet Shipwreck (tourist attraction)

Within feet:

• • • Coakley Town
    • Fresh Creek
    • Androsia Batik Works Factory

Within 12 minutes:

• • • Blue Holes (national park)
    • Somerset Beach

KettleStone Luxury Villa on Andros Island is reachable by domestic flight from Nassau or from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (see above for more details).

Approximate cost per night: $1,063

Cost per person (eleven people): $96

 

 

 

Eleuthera Retreat

North Shore, North Palmetto Point

North Palmetto Point Beach

Hotel amenities: private pink sand beach area, sea views, garden, free Wi-Fi, fully-equipped kitchens, hair dryers, private entrance, private parking

Nearby: Lanny’s Restaurant and Bar, Fran&Fab Tree (tourist attraction)

Within feet:

• • • North Palmetto Point Beach

Within 2.4 miles:

• • • Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve

Within 3.5 miles:

• • • French Leave Beach

Within 11 miles:

• • • Governor’s Harbor Airport

Eleuthera Retreat is 19 miles from Rock Sound International Airport.

Approximate cost per night (Beach Front Villa): $1,479

Cost per person (eight people): $184

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pineapple Fields

Banks Road, Governorʼs Harbour

Tippy’s Restaurant and Beachside Bar

Hotel amenities: outdoor pool, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, fully-equipped kitchens, free parking

Nearby restaurants / bars: Buccaneer Club (restaurant), Pammy’s (restaurant), New Sunset Inn (restaurant), Four Friends Restaurant, Fish Fry – Home of the “Rum Bubba” (restaurant), 1648 – An Island Restaurant, Tootsie’s Treats (takeout restaurant), Cocojo (bar), Ronnies Hi-D-Way (bar)

Nearby misc.: LMN’s Sweet Treats (ice cream shop), Bacchus Fine Foods (grocery store), Burrows One-Stop Grocery Store, The Tea Kettle Gift Shop & Cafe, Norma’s (gift shop), Edwin’s Turtle Lake Marine Reserve, Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (national park), Twin Coves Beach, French Leave Beach, RBC ATM

Within feet:

• • • Tippy’s Restaurant and Beachside Bar
    • North Palmetto Point Beach

Within 1.3 miles:

• • • French Leave Beach

Within 2.6 miles:

• • • Twin Coves Beach

Within 10 miles:

• • • Governor’s Harbor Airport

Approximate cost per night (one-bedroom apartment – top floor): $436

Cost per person (three people): $145

 

 

 

 

 

Casablanca Bahamas

Palm Cay

Port New Providence Waterway

Condo amenities: private beach, restaurant, bar, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, pool with view, spa, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, kitchen, private check-in / out, free parking

Nearby: Cay Village (amenity hub), Fly Fishing Nassau (fishing charter)

Within feet:

• • • Port New Providence Waterway

Within 2.6 miles:

• • • Blackbeard’s Tower
    • St Augustine’s Monastery

Within 3.9 miles:

• • • The Retreat Garden National Park
    • Doongalik Studios

Casablanca Bahamas is 37 minutes from Lynden Pindling International Airport.

Approximate cost per night: $552

Cost per person (six people): $92

 

 

 

 

 

Paradise Bay Bahamas

Queen Highway – Roker’s Point, Farmerʼs Hill

Flamingo Bay Beach

B&B amenities: restaurant, sun terrace, garden, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, desks, boat tours, Jet Skiing, surfing, wakeboarding, car, scooter & kayak rentals, free private parking

Nearby restaurants / bars / pubs: Cocoplum Bistro, Exuma (restaurant), Big D’s Conch Spot (restaurant), T’n’T Delights (restaurant), Eva’s Place (takeout restaurant), Peninsular Bar and Seafood Grill (bar), The Drunken Duck Pub (Irish pub)

Nearby misc.: Emerald Bay Marina, Lighthouse Cafe & Ice Cream Parlor, Exuma ATV Adventures

Within feet:

• • • Flamingo Bay

Within 1.1 miles:

• • • Flamingo Bay Beach
    • Emerald Bay Beach

Within 2.6 miles:

• • • Coco Plum Beach

Within 6 miles:

• • • Exuma International Airport

Approximate cost per night: $320

 

 

 

 

Rollezz Villas Beach Resort

Joe Sound Creek, Cat Island, Old Bight

Cat Island

Resort amenities: restaurant, private beach area, sea / mountain views, patio, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, full kitchenettes, free bike rentals, free parking

Nearby: Sunshine Restaurant, J&R’s Restaurant, Da Pink Chicken (bar & grill), Favor’s Service Centre (gas station)

Within feet:

• • • Cat Island (secluded Out Island – pink-sand beaches, plantation ruins, diving, kiteboarding)

Within 4 miles:

• • • Mermaid Lake

Within 7 miles:

• • • Mount Alvernia

Within 33 miles:

• • • Arthurs Town Airport

Rollezz Villas Beach Resort is reachable from Nassau by domestic flight (see above)

Approximate cost per night (Three-Bedroom Villa): $695

Cost per person (eight people): $87

 

 

 

 

So there they are, Bahamas accommodations that will help make for an incredible trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most of all, that you enjoy your time in the Caribbean!