Melody

Hi all,please help!!!! <BR>Alright, my sister and I are going to the Bahams for about 5 days, in November. We're not really into casinos and most of the things that we want to do are in Nassau. We're on a budget so right now our choices are- 1Nassau Marriott resort & Crystal palace casino,2 Nassau beach hotel. Both are in Cable Beach - and 3 The British Colonial in Nassau. I've gotten mixed reviews about them all and now I'm completely confused. The British colonial is the cheapest but will we regret it? Our main concern is that if we stay in Cable beach will we be able to get to the events in Nassau easily.- How far is it - Walking distance?? and if we stay in Nassau will it be less "beautiful" would Paradise Island be better? thanks for responding this could make or break my vacation

Lisa

<BR>Melody, I have only been to Marriott on cable beach. From what I hear that is the nicest hotel out of the 3 you are questioning. Cable Beach is in Nassau. You will have access to buses and taxis to take you downtown, if thats where you want to go. Cable Beach is closer to Downtown nassau then Paradise Island is. It will be less expensive to go from Cable Beach. Have a great time.

bob

If you're on a budget, I'd suggest Nassau Beach Hotel...newly renovated, has two good restaurants, and has a lovely beach. You can bus to downtown Nassau for less than a dollar, takes about 15 mins. <BR>The British Colonial is in the heart of downtown Nassau...some like the location, others don't.

Liz

I would avoid British Colonial...it is <BR>all torn up - site is a mess (at least from the street) Stay on Cable Beach and take the jitneys into town. It's easy, fun, and cheap. Remember to take exact change - jitney drivers can't give you change (by law).

Lee

Melody: We stayed at the Nassau Beach Hotel and we liked it. Not real fancy, but clean and a friendly staff. <BR> <BR>The restaurant "Johnny Canoe" is right at the hotel, with good food and prices. It's a popular spot. We did the breakfast plan where you can eat at the breakfast buffet by the beach or at the "Johnny". You can take the bus by day (nothing like listening to Marley on a bus right on the left side of the road!) right into town to go to the straw market or to the Winn Dixie to get snacks (much cheaper). Take a cab by night, negiotating fares beforehand. Try the ribs at Tony Romas and seafood downtown. Go to Atlantis and see the underground aquarium at night. <BR> <BR>The British Colonial is right downtown and not anything like Cable Beach. I wouldn't do it. <BR> <BR>Watch out for the vendors: Everything from hair braids to ganga. Just tell them "no" and they'll pretty much leave you alone. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>

susan

I've been to Nassau twice and stayed at 2 of the hotels you are considering. <BR> <BR>On our first trip, we stayed at the British Colonial. We hated it and tried to switch after the first night. The hallways were dark and damp, lots of noise at night, run-down, felt somewhat unsafe, lots of construction, the mattress was awful and we ended up sleeping on the floor. We also didn't like the beach at British Colonial. Bad experience. <BR> <BR>My advice - stay on Cable Beach and take the jitney dowtown - it only takes a few minutes and you can accomplish a lot downtown in an afternoon. <BR> <BR>On our second trip, we had a great experience at the Nassau Beach Hotel. It's less "commercial" than the Marriott and other chains on Cable Beach, but very clean and nice. We also got the breakfast package and ate at Cafe Johnny Canoe - great food. Good dinners and lunch, too. They also had fun live bands in the bar outside at night and a live Junkanoo party. Lots of fun for all ages. You can walk to the casino at the Marriott as well as restaurants, etc. <BR> <BR>We walked through the Marriott and peaked in a few rooms - they seemed somewhat run down and tacky. We were very happy with our choice at the Nassau Beach. <BR> <BR>From what I remember, the Nassau Beach Hotel has 2 separate wings. I don't remember the names, but as you walk into the hotel (looking toward the beach), the rooms on the left half of hotel are the cheaper rooms. The rooms to the right are upgraded - some are beautiful suites, etc. and very nice. We were with a group and had people in both wings. Of course, the upgraded rooms were much nicer, but both wings were clean and comfortable with good views of the ocean. I would highly recommend the Nassua Beach Hotel - it has a much more quaint feel than the mammoth Marriott. At the Marriott, I imagine it takes you 20 minutes to get to your room as you have to wind through all the restaurants, casino, shops, escalators, elevators, etc. <BR> <BR>We also went to Paradise Island and toured the Atlantis. It was neat, but again - a mammoth commercial hotel. We were there at high tide and the beach was just about covered with water. It didn't seem like there was much of a beach. We thought the beaches were prettier at Cable Beach. I don't know about other hotels on Paradise Island, but I think it is generally more expensive. Again, you can take a cab over for the day for shopping, restaurants, tour the Atlantis. <BR> <BR>We also found a very nice cab driver and "hired" him to drive us around the entire island for a few hours. We saw some of the beautiful vacation homes of the rich (and some famous!), saw where the locals live, etc. It was a great informal tour of the island. There are some beautiful residential areas on the other side of the island that most tourists don't get to see.

Gord Sisson

Hi Melody. In regards to your inquiry i hope my cmment wil be of help. Fisrt Cable beach area is very nice . The beach at the Mrriot is more of a man-made lagoon . The better beaches are next door. Both hotels are large and if you are bothered by lots of people.take that into coonsideration.. The eating places there are reasonalbly good. My wife and Istayed there 3 yrrs ago and enjoyed it. Now the other hotel, the British colonial we enjoyed more. We had only to walk out the door and walk 30 ft and we were starting the downtown walk. True it is busy but there is lots to do in a short space of walking. The beach is good(I enjoyed it more than Cable Beach). It is someswhat private so mainly patrons are using it. The cruise ships turn around right in front. I go great pictures of these staying there. Because of the renovations it could be busy and messy. There's pros and cons but our group is trying to get back ther next spring again. It is a shorrt cab or bus ride to Paradise Island and about 6 mi from Cable Beach. Sorry if I confused you more but that's it in a nur shell. If you require more info please feel free to email me and I'll try to answer quickly. Enjoy you trip now matter where you stay as New Prividence Island is beutiful all over. Try the alk to the Queen's stairs and the fort at the top. Also Robinson Cruisoe. Again enjoy your stay.