If you could go to Nassau would you bother?
Jun 9th, 2009, 11:31 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you could go to Nassau would you bother?
Is it just a big, touristy island? We have been to parts of the Caribbean (Grenada, Caymans, St. Thomas/St. John and FREEPORT). I really disliked Freeport, Bahamas so if Nassau is similar, I don't want to go. We have two small kids would not stay at the Atlantis but something smaller, more mellow. We are looking for good beaches, maybe more quiet than crazy for July. I see there's a Wyndham and Hilton. Can anyone tell me what they think about Paradise Island? Thanks,
Jun 9th, 2009, 12:10 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nassau is an easy trip.. and there are things to do.. and great food if you step outside the hotel compounds.
For small kids, I'd go for the Wyndham. Plenty to do.. and the beaches are fine (you also get access to the sheraton as well)
If you want Paradise Island. Look at Sunrise Villas. Very nice. Close to Atlantis.. but far enough away to get away from the frenzy.
With kids, there's a small zoo. (think petting zoo with some exotics). A pirates museum downtown. and if you are in town on a July weekend.. Junkanoo festival in town each Saturday in July.
Lots of places to each:
Cable Beach has Capriccios, Poop Deck, Beach club, Mangoes, Provence, Oyster Bar and others.
Downtown is Cafe Matisse, Clay Oven, Ichibans, Conch fritter (family casual), Athenas Greek, Iguana Cafe and tons of others.
For local food - Arawak Cay's Fish fry is the place to go.
Personally, I like the out islands.. but I don't have a problem with nassau..
Paradise Island is a bit too sterile and americanized for me. And Atlantis should drop back into the sea as legend has it. Just too gross for an island paradise.
For small kids, I'd go for the Wyndham. Plenty to do.. and the beaches are fine (you also get access to the sheraton as well)
If you want Paradise Island. Look at Sunrise Villas. Very nice. Close to Atlantis.. but far enough away to get away from the frenzy.
With kids, there's a small zoo. (think petting zoo with some exotics). A pirates museum downtown. and if you are in town on a July weekend.. Junkanoo festival in town each Saturday in July.
Lots of places to each:
Cable Beach has Capriccios, Poop Deck, Beach club, Mangoes, Provence, Oyster Bar and others.
Downtown is Cafe Matisse, Clay Oven, Ichibans, Conch fritter (family casual), Athenas Greek, Iguana Cafe and tons of others.
For local food - Arawak Cay's Fish fry is the place to go.
Personally, I like the out islands.. but I don't have a problem with nassau..
Paradise Island is a bit too sterile and americanized for me. And Atlantis should drop back into the sea as legend has it. Just too gross for an island paradise.
Jun 9th, 2009, 06:14 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lenlu,
Sure, I'd go if you haven't been before. It's always fun checking out a new island. If you want a place off the beaten path, look into Compass Point. It's a quick 5 minutes from the airport, but isn't on the crowded Cable Beach which is a strip of hotels. It has really cute colorful private bungalows that are part of the main hotel. It's smaller and more intimate than the hotels on Cable Beach. And it's still a short drive away from downtown if you want to check that out.
I've stayed at both Breezes and the Wyndham on Cable Beach and wouldn't recommend either of these if you're looking for something less built up. Think tons of people, organized hourly activities by the pool, jet skis, and the wyndham is a high rise with a casino inside (which works for some but it sounds like this is the opposite of what you're looking for).
Our favorite restaurant of all time is there downtown - Graycliff. They have the largest wine cellar in the western hemisphere, great food, service and atmosphere (I would definitely say it's adults only though -it's more of an elegant/dressy atmosphere). Atlantis is great to check out for a day to see the aquarium and grounds, especially with kids. They have the tunnel you can walk through with the fish around you. It's always fun watching the enormous yachts too. They also have good shopping inside. And the straw market is a unique place all in its own. New Providence is one of the most built up islands I've been to, but if you're looking for something direct it's worth the trip. Otherwise, if you're looking for something less built up than Freeport, look into any of the other out islands or family islands. We were just in Long Island, Bahamas, and that's pretty much as remote as it gets! You can do a search and read my trip report on it if you want lots of info and pictures. Another thing to think about with kids might be renting a villa. It's the only way we go now with kids. So much easier with the full kitchen and more room for the kids to run around. Plus they usually have their own private pool
Sure, I'd go if you haven't been before. It's always fun checking out a new island. If you want a place off the beaten path, look into Compass Point. It's a quick 5 minutes from the airport, but isn't on the crowded Cable Beach which is a strip of hotels. It has really cute colorful private bungalows that are part of the main hotel. It's smaller and more intimate than the hotels on Cable Beach. And it's still a short drive away from downtown if you want to check that out.
I've stayed at both Breezes and the Wyndham on Cable Beach and wouldn't recommend either of these if you're looking for something less built up. Think tons of people, organized hourly activities by the pool, jet skis, and the wyndham is a high rise with a casino inside (which works for some but it sounds like this is the opposite of what you're looking for).
Our favorite restaurant of all time is there downtown - Graycliff. They have the largest wine cellar in the western hemisphere, great food, service and atmosphere (I would definitely say it's adults only though -it's more of an elegant/dressy atmosphere). Atlantis is great to check out for a day to see the aquarium and grounds, especially with kids. They have the tunnel you can walk through with the fish around you. It's always fun watching the enormous yachts too. They also have good shopping inside. And the straw market is a unique place all in its own. New Providence is one of the most built up islands I've been to, but if you're looking for something direct it's worth the trip. Otherwise, if you're looking for something less built up than Freeport, look into any of the other out islands or family islands. We were just in Long Island, Bahamas, and that's pretty much as remote as it gets! You can do a search and read my trip report on it if you want lots of info and pictures. Another thing to think about with kids might be renting a villa. It's the only way we go now with kids. So much easier with the full kitchen and more room for the kids to run around. Plus they usually have their own private pool
Jun 10th, 2009, 02:44 AM
#4
I was never thrilled with the Bahamas myself. I have stayed at the Atlantis and it is over the top, but was fun for our group. Nassau was dumpy in my opinion.
Is this a free trip? Than sure I'd go. If you are paying, there are much nicer islands to go to.
Is this a free trip? Than sure I'd go. If you are paying, there are much nicer islands to go to.
Jun 10th, 2009, 09:00 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Lenlu,
I agree with Tamara. Although I much prefer the Out Islands, New Providence was fun, and I would return again if I found a good bargain.
In December I stayed at the Sheraton Cable Beach, right next door to the Wyndham. Just underwent a multimillion dollar renovation, so everything was very clean feeling. It's what you'd imagine a Sheraton in the Bahamas to be like, nothing unique about it but the accommodation are nice, right on a large beach, and out of the way. It was really quiet when I was there. It's a $40 round trip taxi ride to get into Nassau/Paradise Island from here, so I wouldn't recommend staying here unless you intend to spend most of your time there, or don't mind paying for the cabs.
You said you're looking for beaches, so I would not stay in downtown Nassau. There is only one hotel with a beach (Hilton Colonial) and it's manmade (and I hear not that great).
If you can get a sitter, I'd also definitely recommend Graycliff restaurant. One of the best dining experiences of my life.
When I was in NPI for a long weekend, I didn't even step foot on the Atlantis campus. Here's a story I just wrote for Fodor's about everything else there is to do on the island besides the megaresort: http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3402.html
I agree with Tamara. Although I much prefer the Out Islands, New Providence was fun, and I would return again if I found a good bargain.
In December I stayed at the Sheraton Cable Beach, right next door to the Wyndham. Just underwent a multimillion dollar renovation, so everything was very clean feeling. It's what you'd imagine a Sheraton in the Bahamas to be like, nothing unique about it but the accommodation are nice, right on a large beach, and out of the way. It was really quiet when I was there. It's a $40 round trip taxi ride to get into Nassau/Paradise Island from here, so I wouldn't recommend staying here unless you intend to spend most of your time there, or don't mind paying for the cabs.
You said you're looking for beaches, so I would not stay in downtown Nassau. There is only one hotel with a beach (Hilton Colonial) and it's manmade (and I hear not that great).
If you can get a sitter, I'd also definitely recommend Graycliff restaurant. One of the best dining experiences of my life.
When I was in NPI for a long weekend, I didn't even step foot on the Atlantis campus. Here's a story I just wrote for Fodor's about everything else there is to do on the island besides the megaresort: http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3402.html
