Sara8374

Looking for a first-class, luxury hotel/resort anywhere but Nassau/Paradise Island. What are the best Bahama places to stay? What island is it on? Where do you fly into? Are any meals/drinks included? Is there any less expensive lodging options nearby for our guests (considering having a wedding there).

Callaloo

Sara, you are unlikely to find "first class, luxury" in the Bahamas outside of New Providence (Nassau), or perhaps Grand Bahama (Freeport). The higher-end hotels in the Out Islands tend to be what I would call "rustic chic" -- though they might be nice places to hold a wedding. Some of the places you might consider are the Abaco Inn (Elbow Cay, in the Abacos), the Green Turtle Club (Green Turtle Cay, the Abacos) and Fernandez Bay Village (Cat Island). Each of these places has a website which can answer some of your questions, as well as friendly staff who can help you with the details.

Kath

What about the new Four Seasons in Exuma?

tamara

Four Seasons in Exuma or Kamalame Cay are both first class although there's not much else nearby. Maybe Pink Sands in Eleuthera? .

CASTAWAY

Is your heart set on the Bahamas?If not you can find really nice places in BVI'S that fit the bill.

joan

Sara, check into Harbour Island, off the coast of Eleuthera. Pink Sands is located there, and as suggested, is first class. It's adorable, walkable or golf cartable, has a few great Bahamian restaurants, wonderful people, and pink sand (very flattering for brides!!!)There are several small guest houses, hotels, and even private homes for rent. I would love to have a wedding there for my daughter!

CASTAWAY

Pink Sands is exotic and very laid back,but not luxurios.The cottages aint bad(rustic at best)but the surroundings and beach are quit nice.You can ferry it over from PI on 2.5 hr hi speed ferry

bert710

My fiance and I are having our wedding at The Pink Sands April 2004. We are expecting 50-60 guests. The nice thing is the island is small and those that cannot afford Pink Sands have less expensive options. The island, beaches and people are among the best I have ever experianced.
Planning with Pink Sands has been effortless but you have few choices. They like to control a lot. Really no band choices, food is what they are offering. This is good and bad, but part of doing a destination wedding is you cannot be as hands on as you could be at home.
All said Harbor Island is a great place to plan a wedding, more info after the ceremony.

wantsomesun

If you have never been there, you will find the island charming, small, friendly, good food, amazing beach and very laid back.

I had to smile when you mentioned there were few choices on bands on island, that's because there are very few musicians on island. My guess is you are having The Courage Band or it may be called the Brilanders, that's Larry Clearys band and they are really good, so don't worry.

Harbour Island only has about 2,000 year round residents so the island is very small only 3 miles long by half a mile wide.

For guests staying on island for the wedding, you might ask Valentine's to arrange a snorkle trip for you. You can bring your own snorkle gear or they can provide it for you.

Also you might do a day picnic on a deserted key in the area. You just go to the dock with all your picnic equipment and ask the water taxi drivers to take you out and arrange for a pick up.

Reggie Major is the cab driver on island, so you could arrange for a group tour he is very knowledgeable about the history of the island.

If you need any other info, please let me know.

Have a GREAT time.

bert710

Wantsomesun: you sound very knowledgeable. We liked Courage Band, saw them at Rock House (very cool spot) on our last trip down but I think they are getting a little pricey. We are going with Native Son, based on Pink Sands recomendation. We have no knowledge of them. Have you heard of them?