Let’s rewind for a moment. Toward the end of last year, we (my husband, his brother, his wife, and I) were brainstorming destination ideas for my in-laws’ 50th wedding anniversary. The options felt a bit all over the place: an Alaskan cruise, Turks and Caicos (which we’d already visited)… nothing was really exciting us. Then a few friends mentioned Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Even though my brother- and sister-in-law weren’t completely sold at first (ha!), I had heard great things about it, let me name a few. It’s family-friendly, has a huge water park, shops, a casino, and what felt like a bazillion pools. It sounded promising.
And guess what? It was the perfect pick. Everyone had an incredible time, and it turned out to be just what we needed. Many of you asked, where we went, what we did and so on, so below I’m sharing all the details from our 4-night, 5-day getaway. What we did, what we loved, and tips if you’re planning to go!
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Grand Hyatt, one of three hotel options within the Baha Mar resort. One of the others is adults-only, but the Grand Hyatt is the largest and most family-friendly of the three. We booked ocean view rooms through Expedia and were really happy with our choice. The rooms were clean, the bathrooms were a good size, and the views were beautiful. Our room was ready early, which was a nice bonus, and we opted for a late checkout for an additional $50 so we could stay until 1 PM instead of checking out at 11 AM. For four nights and a family of four, our total cost was $3,304.84.
Flights
We flew with American Airlines, departing on an 8 AM flight and arriving around noon. The flight time was about 2.5 hours, which gave us a nice half-day to settle in and explore the resort. The flights were expensive, but only because we booked late. If you plan ahead, you can definitely find better deals.
Transportation to and from the Airport
Baha Mar is only about 10 minutes from the airport, which was a huge plus. There are cheaper transportation options like shared shuttles, but we chose to take a personal taxi. It was convenient and worked well for our group. The taxi cost was $50 each way, totaling $100.
Where We Ate
Costa (Rosewood Hotel): Costa is a Mexican restaurant located inside the beautiful Rosewood Hotel. The ambiance was amazing with indoor and outdoor seating and stunning aesthetics. Unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to the setting. It was hard to get a reservation for a party of ten, and I had to contact them through Instagram. We chose it as our anniversary dinner spot for my in-laws, but as a vegetarian I found the food underwhelming and even the non-vegetarians felt the same. The churros were the highlight of the meal.
Stix Noodles (Grand Hyatt): A casual spot inside the Hyatt. The food was pretty good, and they were very accommodating of my son’s sesame allergy, which is especially tricky with Asian cuisine. We ordered drunken noodles, sweet and spicy tofu, udon noodles, and vegetable spring rolls. Everything was flavorful and satisfying.
Pizza Lab (Grand Hyatt): This was my favorite casual dining spot at the resort. It’s walk-in only, so we had a bit of a wait, but the food made up for it. The burrata appetizer was amazing, the pizza was delicious, and the caramel cheesecake was the perfect ending. Service was slow that night and everything came out of order, but overall it was still a good experience.
Cleo (SLS Hotel): Located at the SLS and walkable from the Hyatt, Cleo is a Mediterranean upscale restaurant where everyone was dressed to impress. It ended up being our favorite dining experience. The truffle mushroom pizza was my favorite dish of the trip. The design and vibe of the place were absolutely stunning. Reservations are a must.
The Social House (off-site): This Japanese fusion restaurant is about seven minutes away by car. It was easy to get to and absolutely worth it. Even my mother-in-law, who’s usually picky and sensitive to a lot of foods, loved it. Favorites included jalapeño tempura, spicy cauliflower, vegetarian sushi rolls, fried rice, and the chocolate lava cake which was incredible.
Poolside Bars: Good for quick snacks like truffle fries and drinks. Not gourmet, but convenient and satisfying.
Beachside Food Trucks: Perfect for lunch. There were vegetarian and vegan options available at every truck. We tried nachos, vegan hot dogs, sandwiches, and fries. It was quick and easy which is exactly what we needed during beach days.
Scoops Ice Cream: Located near the pool and beach area, this spot was a hit with both kids and adults. Great way to cool off and treat yourself after a long swim.
Extra Activities
Waterpark: This was a major hit. It’s included with the resort and you could easily spend the whole day there. It wasn’t overcrowded either which made the experience even better.
Jazz Club: This chic 21+ spot was a favorite of mine. The music was great and it was the perfect way to end a night. There’s a two-drink minimum but it’s totally worth it.
Mini Golf: A fun and laid-back family activity. There’s an additional charge of $25 per person.
Casino: My husband, his dad, and his brother spent some time here and had fun.
ESPA at the Hyatt: We booked a couple’s massage for my in-laws and they raved that it was the best massage they’ve ever had on a vacation. Next time, I’m definitely booking one for myself.
Cabana Rentals: Cabana prices vary depending on location but ours was $800 for the day for a group of 4 to 5 people. You get a private space with your own waiter. While it’s not a must, it was a nice luxury especially in the heat. As long as not all 10 of us were inside the cabana at once, it was totally fine with the staff.
Family Photoshoot: This was such a special touch for the anniversary trip. We found the photography desk near the west side of the Hyatt. For $380, we got a mix of group shots and individual family sessions. The photos turned out beautiful.
Kids Arcade: We stepped in and quickly stepped out. It wasn’t too busy, but it was extremely loud. Still a good option if the kids need some indoor entertainment.
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1
- Arrival and check-in
- Pool time and snacks
- Dinner at Pizza Lab
- Early night due to travel
Day 2
- Pool day in swimwear
- Breakfast at Starbucks
Beach-facing cabana rental - Lunch from food trucks
- Pool and beach
- Dinner at Costa
- Jazz Club for the dads
Day 3
- Morning family photo session
- Quick Starbucks breakfast
- Pool time
- Lunch by the pool
- Dinner at Social House
- Jazz Club again for the adults
Day 4
- Breakfast at Starbucks
- Flamingo parade at 9:30 AM
- Waterpark
- Lunch inside waterpark
- Pool and mini golf
- Dinner at Cleo
Day 5
- Breakfast and packing
- Goodbyes with family
- More pool time
- Lunch at Pizza Lab
- Checkout and airport
My Personal Notes:
- Pools: Huge plus about this place is there are so many pools to choose from so its not crowded at all. There are pools for adults only for those who want that. There are family pools and day clubs for 21+ as well. Our favorite pool was the closest one to the beach. It was family friendly, they had a sanctuary where you can see nurse sharks and turtles and a small cliff to jump into the pool. MAKE SURE TO WAKE UP AND GO GET POOL CHAIRS SAVED. BEST WAY TO ENSURE YOU HAVE SEATS NEAR THE POOL.
- Restaurant Reservations: Reservations open up one month prior so make sure to book ASAP especially for Costa, Cleo (& some of the other upscale restaurants)
- Taxis: Not all taxis take credit cards, so make sure you have some cash otherwise you may have to wait a few minutes for them to help you get a taxi that does.
- Sunblock: Bring extra sunblock, especially if you’re going in a group. Everything there is pricey and upcharge so pack them with you!
- Snacks: Pack dry snacks because kids get hungry every hour and it’s cost efficient to have snacks ready to go instead of having to order each time.
- Arrival Forms: Although the flight may tell you that you only need 1 immigration form per family but that’s incorrect- each family member needs one. So many families had to get out of line and fill out the rest.
Hope this helps on your next vacation to Baha Mar! And below are some pictures from our trip!
Here’s to creating happy memories,
Rashmi