BeachGirl247

We arrive Nassau at 2:40 and cannot continue on to Cat Island until the next morning at 8:30am.

We need a hotel for the night and would enjoy a beach location that is reasonably close to the airport (20 min or less). $300 or less. Prefer less but I know Nassau won't be cheap.

Thanks!
BeachGirl

jecrow

Compass Point is a nice hotel near the airport but if you are staying on a weekend may require a 2 night minimum stay. Orange Hill Hotel is another possibility -- close to airport, across the road from the beach but it's a bit more downmarket. There is a bed and breakfast called A Stone's Throw Away that is not on the beach but is close to the airport.

RobertoB

We stayed at Orange Hill when we stopped over in Nassau. Nice place near the airport.Did our meal at Compass Point.

ishkribbl

We also overnighted on the way to and the way back from Eleuthera last month to be able to make connections with Southern Air. Orange Hill was basic but clean and very convenient- nice people. There is a good local restaurant called Traveller's Rest down the street.

BeachGirl247

Checked both Orange Hill and Compass Point. No availability at CP but Orange Hill can accommodate us. For one night it will be fine and I can spend my savings at dinner!

Now I need to do my homework on what we can do after arrival at 2:40. Fingers are crossed we won't be in line long after we land.

Thanks for the quick replies!

(roberto, are you going to send me a bill?)

BeachGirl

ishkribbl

Beach girl,

We rented a small car from Budget for about $60 for 24 hours- it was ultimately cheaper than a taxi to the hotel, a taxi to and from dinner, and a taxi back to the airport the next day. That way you can leave the airport and have all afternoon to do whatever you like- shopping, beaches, etc. and also have a car to go where you want for dinner. Just a suggestion since we were on the same basic time schedule as you are. You may already be planning to do just that.

BeachGirl247

Thanks for the car idea. I thought with the amount of traffic in Nassau that cabs would be cheap. Nothing is cheap anymore.

Did you have any problems with places to park? I'm all for having my own transportation.

Also, how much time would you allow from departing Orange Hill, turning in the car and getting to Cat Island Air for an 8:30 departure? I'm guessing the car rental facility is in the airport.

ishkribbl

We did not have a hard time at all parking in Nassau but we did not have any particular desination in mind- we just wanted to stroll down Bay Street, poke in some shops, then walk through the straw market and along the waterfront so it was no problem to (parallel in street) park in the streetside parking beside a bank that was closed (Saturday) a block off of the main street. We drove around Paradise Island (parking not as easy but ok) and went to the beach, walked through the shopping area and marina at Atlantis (wow- a boat lover's dream), the casino, and the lobby just to look and because we had the time to kill. As for going to the airport, we told the owners of Orange Hill what we needed to do as far as car return (VERY easy with Budget- a block from the airport then they put you in a van and give you front door service) , airline check-in, etc. and they told us exactly what time to leave and it worked out fine. They are very experienced themselves with the various airlines. They have a breakfast there at the motel that is ready and fast (I need my coffee!!!) so it worked out very easily. It is not deluxe by any means, but nice, friendly, clean, convenient and it works. I have always wanted to go to Cat Island but have not made it yet- hope you have a great time and please post a report!!
PS I have not read all the earlier posts= where are you staying on Cat?

caribtraveler

BeachGirl: You may know this already but just in case... on your return trip, you go through U.S. customs/immigration in Nassau not when you land in the U.S. So make you sure you're at the Nassau airport 2 to 2.5 hours before your flight. There's also a departure tax and a security fee to be paid in cash. Last summer it was $22/person.
Looking forward to reading about your trip.

ishkribbl

Unless I misunderstood, your overnight is on the WAY to (not the way back from) Cat Island. If so, then the people at OB can tell you how far ahead to be there for your plane. We flew Southern Air to Eleu and needed to be there one hour ahead (as per SA and the people at OB). On the return to the US we were there 2 hours ahead like they said and it was a total waste of time although I would never take the chance. We sat around forever after going quickly though immigration, although you can never take a chance on it.

travelbuff

Judy and Danny at Orange Hill are wonderful hosts, and will make you feel very welcome. There's even a welcome drink you on the bar when you arrive.

The rooms are basic, but comfortable and the pool area is quite nice. All the rooms either have a balcony or patio.

I don't think you will need a car, the traffic is really bad and there's nowhere to park, so I'd suggest getting the bus to downtown, to see some of the sites and then have dinner downtown and take a taxi back to the hotel. Ask Orange Hill, they may still have a shuttle to the airport in the morning.

BeachGirl247

Yes, my overnight is on the way down.

On the return I arrive in Nassau at 10:30am and depart at 2:45 so I'll know that airport very well.

Thanks for all of the ideas.