Nassau, Bahamas

Author: jamesdalphonse
Date of Trip: August 2008

About one-month ago, we returned from Nassau, Bahamas. My partner and I went down there for just a long weekend getaway. We were there four days/five nights. We had a great time in Nassua, for some reason I expected it to be rather mundane, with nothing to do. The time in Nassau was actually just fine, and we could find plenty to do.

First of all, we arrived in Nassau on US Airways. We left from Syracuse, NY via DCA and to Nassau. As usual, US Airways was on time, with no issue or hassles getting to our destination. Upon arrival in Nassau, customs and immigration is very to the point, hand them your passport, they stamp you in, and then you’re on your way. Although, it is a little more detailed for Bahamian citizens coming back from the US or Canada, they are checked, it appears for taxable items. Tourists are just sent on there way.

After customs, we waited about fifteen minutes for our hotel ‘transfers’ to arrive. For anyone that is not familiar with the lingo, hotel transfers are what is referred to as your ride to and from the airport, which is also complimentary with the package the traveler(s) purchased. At that point, we shortly arrived at our hotel.

The resort that we stayed at was on what is known as Cable Beach. We stayed at the Wyndham Crystal Palace Hotel and Casino. The rooms were large with a great balcony overlooking the ocean. This resort is not an all-inclusive. The food here is good, but expensive. There is a buffet for all three meals that goes until past 10:00 pm daily. The food there is excellent, but a little steep by prices. The drinks are expensive. WOW!!!!! Two drinks in a plastic souvenir glass was close to $20USD. Now that reminds me, there is no sense in changing money go Bahamian Dollars when in Nassau, it is a 1/1 rate. Their money is worth the same as the US dollar.

The resort was truly a very nice place, we had a great room, overlooking the beach and sea. The housekeeping service was fine, they tended to the room on a daily basis, everything was perfect in that area. For things to do at the resort, such as activities, etc. Well, of course, there is a great big casino that takes only US dollars, even if it took Bahamian dollars, the exchange rate is the same 1/1. The casino opens at around 10:00 am, and stays open straight through until 4:00 am, sometimes even later. Just depends how much money is being spent.

The resort has a great swimming pool, with a rather long water-slide, which could be fun a few times per day. We enjoyed the pool at this resort much more than we did the beach. We only went to the beachside once; it was not impressive. It was almost like it was a bay type beach, manmade, not the beaches that other resorts have. The beach was clean, it was just the water didn’t even go up to our waists, just very shallow. The pool area was clean, and the staff at the pool area was great, friendly, and helpful for anything. The resort had a bar in the casino and a bar by the pool area.

There is a liquor store at this hotel, where you can find alcohol of all sorts there, along with styrofoam coolers for about $5. Lots and lots of people were doing this, and carrying their beverages to the pool or beachside.

Our last night in Nassau, we went downtown. Had really a great time. We pretty much went souvenir shopping and bar hopping. We had a late lunch at one place across the street from the Hilton Resort called Conch Fritters Restaurant, lunch to the tune of $43!!!!! Like I said, Nassau is a little pricey, but worth it. The nice thing about Nassau is that most places include gratuity in the check, so you don’t have to deal with it. It’s a standard 15%.

Also, in downtown Nassau, we went to the market place. Let me share a secret with everybody that I learned the hard way. You can buy your souvenirs much cheaper in a gift shop, and there are lots of them in Nassau, as opposed to the market. I guarantee this.

We also went to the Hard Rock Cafe, very nice and upper-scale, but on the high end side. We had a great time at Senor Frogs, which sits right on the dock where the cruise ships spent their time. It was nice have an appetizer and a couple of drinks and watching the lighted cruise ships in the bay at night. There is plenty to see and do in downtown Nassau. Even for those who are looking for more affordable food choices, there is McDonald’s, Sbarro’s, and Burger King. About a mile down the street from the resort, going in the opposite direction of downtown is a nice Italian restaurant, with outside dining. His food was also good.

All in all, Nassau was a great place, and I would recommend it to any traveler.