Best features: Affordable price, Proximity to Airport, Beautiful Beach, Fun Outdoor Activities Included
The not-so-great: Facilities need updating, slow check-in process
First Impression and Check-In:
This resort looks beautiful when you arrive by car. The open lobby provides an immediate whiff of refreshing, salty air as a friendly bellhop helps with your bags. As you check in with smiling front desk staff, you’re greeted with a delicious fruit punch beverage, which is highly refreshing after a long day of traveling. There are a few forms to fill out, then you receive wristbands for full access to all of resort amenities.
Unfortunately, for my family, when we got to our rooms, our keys didn’t work. We had to return to the front desk to get them reprogrammed, and they didn’t work the second time either. Finally, an engineer from the hotel had to come let us into the rooms, then fix the locks. Not the end of the world, but it definitely wasn’t great as we were ready to get settled in and hit the beach.
The facilities:
Indoor:
It’s pretty obvious that the resort facilities are dated, but for the most part, they’re kept clean. As someone who hardly sees my hotel room when I’m traveling, I don’t really care to have a large tv or extra amenities. That being said, the tv was noticeably small, but it served its purpose. There aren’t any fancy technological offerings, and the wifi in the room was spotty at best, but again, I wasn’t there to work or hang out in the room, so I managed to survive just fine. Housekeeping was friendly and fairly responsive, but there was one day where we requested service and didn’t receive it.
Outdoor:
The resort includes 3 pools and a jacuzzi, but I didn’t set foot in any of them during my stay. It wasn’t because there was anything wrong with them — I just couldn’t get enough of Cable Beach! This resort’s beach access is enough to make you want to return as often as possible. It was spotless, with impeccably clear water and plenty of chairs for tanning, reading, or just hanging out. The resort also offers private cabanas on the beach that can be reserved for the day. The pools were popular, with people playing volleyball and other water activities, and if I hadn’t fallen so deeply in love with the beach, I’m sure I would’ve enjoyed them!
Each guest receives a towel card that can be traded in for a fresh pool/beach towel each day. While this process was pretty simple, I did find it difficult later in the day to get a new towel.
The Food and Drinks:
Buffet:
I would describe the daily buffet as sufficient. It wasn’t spectacular, but there was enough good food to keep me going throughout the day. The breakfast included a build-your-own omelet stand, which is always a hit for me, plus great french toast! Lunch and dinner were usually pretty similar, with a couple of meat options, pasta, salads and fruits. Compared to most resorts I’ve been to, it was about standard. There was also an outdoor food hut near the pool, which served hotdogs, french fries, burgers and other munchies along those lines. It was pretty good, and it was nice to have when we didn’t feel like getting dressed to go back inside for more food.
I also had dinner at the Garden of Eden restaurant, a full-service restaurant with a four course menu. It was quite different from the buffet, and the food was delicious and filling. The presentation of the food, namely my salmon dish was beautiful and enticing. By the dessert course, I didn’t know if I had any room left! The staff at the a la carte restaurant was very professional and provided a luxury atmosphere. If I return, I would definitely try the other onsite a la carte restaurants. It’s important to note that while no reservation is required, the restaurants fill up quickly, so it would be best to secure a reservation anyway.
Drinks:
For the most part, they tasted strong, but delivered little to no buzz. The exception? Rum punch. If you’re looking to get “lit”, as I like to pretend I’m cool enough to say, that will certainly do it. Of course, there’s always wine and beer to get you feeling good as well. The bartenders were knowledgable about most basic drinks (daquiris, tequila sunrise, old fashioned, etc.), and they were friendly, especially considering they weren’t working for tips onsite.
Activities:
The all-inclusive package includes kayaking, standup paddleboarding, paddleboats, rock climbing, and trapeze. For such an affordable package, these activities were great. The staff was friendly and knew how to make me feel comfortable, even as I climbed into the sky to swing from a trapeze. This was a great addition to the onsite experience at the resort, and I’m happy that I was able to take advantage of these activities!
Other things:
One other thing to mention – this resort has a great policy that allows you to continue to enjoy yourself right up until you depart for the airport. You’re allowed to keep your wristband after checkout, so while you wait for your airport transfer, you’re free to enjoy more drinks, or even the buffet if time allows.
Overall rating: 3.5/5 Stars
While the dated facilities are definitely a drawback and drag down the overall feel of the resort, the beaches, all-inclusive package and convenient location made a huge difference. With this being one of the more affordable resorts in Nassau, it’s important to keep an open mind during your experience there. If you’re not looking for an over-the-top luxury experience, but want to enjoy the best of the island without breaking the bank, I’d strongly recommend the Breezes Bahamas Resort and Spa.