Rosewood Baha Mar review: bask in Bahamian luxury

Located on the pristine white sands of Nassau’s Cable Beach in the Bahamas, the Rosewood Baha Mar comprises 226 guestrooms, suites and villas on its own private oceanfront.

A convenient 15-minute drive from Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport – now with direct flights from London – the Rosewood is simple to get to, with a chauffeur service you can book ahead of time. Part of the 1,000-acre Baha Mar complex, it’s one of three hotels that make up the all-encompassing resort in the Bahamas, but by far the most discreet and luxurious.

Why stay here?

The Rosewood Baha Mar offers an enclave of peace within the resort destination. Plush pillows and natural materials in the rooms compliment a soothing colour palette of blues, turquoise and greens inspired by relaxed island life. The villas and one-bedroom suites (each the size of an apartment) all come with a complimentary butler service who are keen to attend to your every whim via WhatsApp. Accommodation options include rooms with resort and ocean views; studio, one-bed and multi-room suites; a three-bed oceanside villa with private plunge pool; and a six-bed oceanside villa directly on Cable Beach with a private infinity pool. Rumour has it Oprah Winfrey stayed in the larger one...

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

A different breed to city-dwelling Rosewoods, the hotel’s Caribbean location and access to the wider complex provides a vast range of benefits – including a private island and activities to entertain each generation.

What to do

For relaxation at the hotel head to the beach, the two private swimming pools, or to the Rosewood spa, Sense, where you can book a range of unique treatments. If you want to enjoy the facilities of the wider Baha Mar complex, you can play golf during the day, before dressing up to visit lively restaurants and nightlife after the sun sets. For those ready to bet their luck, there’s even a casino. Youngsters can find endless entertainment at the waterpark and at a wildlife sanctuary full of rays and turtles. Oh, and the hotel also has resident flamingos to look out for.

In 2022 Baha Mar launched The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival – an annual showcase of Bahamian cuisine and art, which also features the international talent of chefs throughout the resort. Set over one weekend, this year’s extravaganza will take place from 27-29 October and is a great way to get a flavour of the island’s culture and joyous spirit. Tickets include exclusive dinners and tastings with master chefs, exhibitions, events and masterclasses, with performers coming together to celebrate the country’s culture.

Eating and drinking

Traditional French restaurant Café Boulud The Bahamas is not one to miss. Named the Caribbean’s best new restaurant at the World Culinary Awards in 2022, it’s run by acclaimed French chef and restaurateur, Daniel Boulud. The restaurant does a fantastic breakfast – where you should order a freshly baked almond croissant before tucking in to eggs benedict, or buttermilk pancakes with pineapple compote. In the evening, Boulud offers supreme fine dining. Using seasonal Caribbean ingredients to put a twist on delicious French dishes, the menu is inspired by Boulud’s four culinary muses: La Tradition, La Saison, La Mer and Le Voyage.

For seafood lovers, Mexican restaurant Costa is a hidden gem. Down by the pool surrounded by a soothing koi pond, with outdoor seating under cabanas, the cuisine is an innovative take on traditional Mexican food made with Bahamian ingredients. With not a cheese-soaked nacho in sight, this is the real deal. Every dish is fresh and vibrant: think habanero-infused prawn ceviche, plantain crackers paired with lime and coriander spiked avocado, or a slice of black bass smothered in green mojo sauce and herbs.

Other dining spots at the Rosewood Baha Mar include The Library, which serves à la carte breakfast in the mornings and champagnes, wines and afternoon tea later in the day, and the Manor Bar, which offers bar snacks with a range of signature drinks and cocktails. In-room, pool and beachside dining is also available.

Pro tip: for a daytime tipple, order a Skyjuice. A heady blend of gin or rum, coconut water and condensed milk, this is a stunningly simple, authentic Bahamian cocktail with lots of ice. It’s refreshing and totally addictive.

Sofia Gymer was a guest of Rosewood Baha Mar. Room rates start from US$800 (approx. £648) per night. For an extra special trip, book one of the palatial seafront villas; rosewoodhotels.com