Abacos Island where to stay for romantic get-a-way
 

We are planning on going to Abacos Island in Oct or Nov for about 3 nights for a romantic anniversary get-a-way. Would like suggestions on which island and where to stay?

Have you booked your flights yet? Given how short a trip you are planning, where you land will play a part in where you might want to stay.

If you fly to MHH (Marsh Harbour), I would suggest you stay on Elbow Cay at the Abaco Inn. It's probably the nicest inn on Elbow Cay, though the beach there is not the best (it's got a rocky entry); for a nicer beach, consider Hopetown Harbor Lodge, right on the edge of the Hopetown settlement. Alternatively, consider staying on Great Guana Cay at the Dolphin Beach Resort. Elbow Cay has a bit more activity than Great Guana, but if you're just looking for enough beach and restaurants to fill 3 days, either is probably fine.

If you fly to TCB (Treasure Cay), I would go to Green Turtle Cay and stay at either the Bluff House Inn or the Green Turtle Club. Neither of these is right on a prime beach (they are more marina-oriented), but the great beaches are a short walk or golf cart ride away.

Whatever you do, I hope you understand what you are getting in Abaco. These "hotels" are small, and "rustic chic" at best. They are clean, and comfortable, but don't expect them to be lavish. You will not have a TV or maybe even a phone in your room, and some don't even have AC. It's all about the natural environment and being able to entertain yourself.

Callaloo gave you some great advice and I totally agree (and I am another one of those people who loves the Abacos). If you go to www.greenturtleclub.com and click for "specials" you might be interested in the one that includes the room, dinners, breakfasts and a massage. Rent a golf cart and explore the island and enjoy the beaches nearby. I would also second the HHL as an easy walk to everything in Hopetown and a good beach on the property. For sure it would depend on which airport you can get a flight into (MHH or TCB).

If you find that the Abacos are not as upscale as you want you might consider one of the more posh places on Harbour Island and fly into the North Eleuthera airport although I would choose Abaco over HI myself any day.

Thanks for the suggestions. We have not booked any flights yet. Not even sure how to get there. Will have to look into that next.
thanks...

Fort what it's worth, there's a lot of construction going on right now just opposite and around the Abaco Inn, as well as right around the Sea Spray resort. It wouldn't affect a stay there tremendously, but you might be a bit surprised as you pull up to the entrance to see cranes and piles of dirt all over the place.

For the most part, we loved our stay a few days ago at the Hopetown Harbour Lodge. Apart from a few surly staff and inflated prices for food/drinks, we found it a lovely spot, and the beach was much nicer than the one at Abaco Inn IMO.

I like the Harbour Island suggestion, too. When I think of Abacos I don't think luxury, I think "what the islands were like before the hotels and casinos" arrived.

Harbour Island requires flying into North Eleuthera airport ( ELH ) and taking a very quick boat taxi to the island.

Pink Sands, Coral Sands, Runaway Hill are just some off the top of my head. These are more upscale, Pink being more exotic with its Moroccan theme.

www.pinksandsresort.com

Also, we really enjoyed walking and taking our golf cart around this small and enchanting little island. Great food, gorgeous beach and all on a 3.5 mile by 1.5 mile island.

New Plymouth Inn, Green Turtle Cay.

any comments on the Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour?? It seems really nice on the internet. Is it really that nice??

I have stayed there (Boat Harbour- The Abaco Beach Resort) a few times "in transit" (to get back to MHH for a morning flight or arriving too late for the afternoon ferry to Hopetown, etc). The hotel and grounds are nice but there is no real beach- Marsh Harbour is just not a beach place, in my opinion. There is a very nice marina and the main focus there is boaters. There are a few good places to eat in Marsh Harbour- I especially like Wally's and Mangoes) and there are a few shops but it is not a beach destination. If you are trying to "keep it simple" for a short trip, why not look at flying into TCB (Treasure Cay- on Great Abaco mainland) and staying there? I have not stayed at this place but bookmarked it because I really trust the person who stayed and loved it:
www.sanddollardreams.com
Give it a look.