Last week I traveled to Baha Mar in the Bahamas with my best friends from high school. All of us turn 40 this year and we have never done a trip together. One of my friends suggested Baha Mar as an easy spot to get to in the Caribbean and one that we could enjoy even on a short trip (we wanted to keep it at 4 nights). Tonight I’m sharing answers to Baha Mar questions.

I saw Baha Mar under construction many years ago on a trip to the Bahamas and always wondered what it was going to be like once completed. I have a few friends that have visited the resort and all of them said we’d love it and to go for it. They also gave us some ideas for where to stay, eat, etc.

It was an awesome vacation. To have 4 days of kid free with nothing but: relaxation, the spa, beach, pools and meals with your best friends… it was a mom’s dream come true. We laughed until we cried and while figuring out the logistics of leaving 5 kids at home was not easy, once I was there I was so incredibly happy we made the trip happen. As far as our trip goes: I could have taken four days at any resort with these amazing ladies and had this much fun. So I’d have to say the prize for making the trip memorable goes to them.

I couldn’t believe how many of you have trips planned for Baha Mar or are considering a trip there. Between those of you heading there and the people with general questions… I consolidated the questions and put together a Baha Mar Q&A:

Answers to Baha Mar Questions

Which hotel did you stay at?

We stayed at the SLS. I am going to be honest: it was a little too much of a “party hotel” for me. But that’s me. I also think being away from the crazy chaos of my life and kids I wanted more quiet and less clubbing music. If you want a fun hotel ready to party, the SLS is your spot. If not, maybe pick one of the other 2.

Would you go back with the kids?

I’d love to take my kids there. I would take the two oldest for sure and if I brought all 5 I think we’d need another adult to help. It’s a very big place. There’s a candy store, a water park, multiple spots for ice cream and more pools than they’ve ever seen in one place… so my kids would go bonkers. I also just saw on their site that kids 5 & under eat free so maybe we should go while at least one kids qualifies!

How did you get to the resort from the airport? How long did that take?

We just walked out of the airport and there were tons of cabs. We were 6 people and fit in a van cab. It’s only about a 10 minute ride to Baha Mar from Nassau airport so it’s very easy to get to. It is much easier to get to from the airport than the Atlantis.

Best place to get a cabana to escape the crowds (but you still have kiddos with you)?

I love kids… but on this trip I wasn’t looking to see any kids haha. That said we mainly looked for kid free spots. I think you can get a cabana at the Baha Beach Club with kids. This is inside the water park but in the far corner by the beach. You can only go to that pool if you have reserved a lounger or cabana so therefore it’s quiet.

Which hotel would you pick if you took the kids? 

That’s a tough one… if they all cost the same, The Rosewood. Since they don’t and since my kids would be “wowed” by the resort as a whole and would want to bounce around to different pools and beach spots… Grand Hyatt.

Which of the properties is the most luxury experience?

100% The Rosewood. We visited the spa there and had a few meals there and each time you walk in you feel relaxed. It was for sure my favorite of the 3 hotels. You can bounce around to all of the different pools and beach spots but only the Rosewood guests can use the Rosewood pools and beach. That certainly adds to the luxury feeling because it is MUCH quieter than the rest of the resort.

Is there a kids club?

The Rosewood has the Children’s Explorer Club that is a kids club. It says that Grand Hyatt guests can use the Children’s Explorer Club… I am not sure if that means they all use the one at the Rosewood or there are two. I saw the one at the Rosewood and it looked really cute (lots of activities!).

Tell me about the water park?

The water park, Baha Bay, is a legit water park. It’s not a few slides at the resort pools. It’s a massive part of the resort and you feel like you are truly at a water park. A few cool things to note about the water park: there are lots of spots to eat, there’s a cute mini casino, there’s also the Baha Bay Beach Club that has infinity pools along the oceanfront and you can only enter if you reserve a lounger or cabana. Therefore that area is not crowded at all.

Are there ways to see Pig Island?

Yes, there are excursions you can book through Baha Mar to go to Pig Island. There were also people walking up and down the beach offering trips there. I have never been and don’t know how far it is but do know you can go if you want. I think it would be a full day trip.

What’s the best time to go? Is November too risky?

January was nice: we had 2 warm days and 2 really chilly days but they said it was colder than usual. November is typically past hurricane season (although this year we were in the south in Nov and a hurricane hit!).

Thoughts on Baha Mar for a honeymoon or couples trip?

I think the Rosewood would be a nice spot for couples and the one spot you’ll find some quiet. It is a very big resort. The pro of that is there’s plenty to do and lots of great places to eat. You will certainly have fun! If you want Bahamas but a very quiet, more secluded spot for your trip I would probably look into the Four Seasons on the island.

Is it hard to get dining reservations?

I booked our dining a few weeks out. There was one spot we couldn’t get into but got off the “wait list” before the trip. I would suggest booking dining as soon as you can if you will be there at a busy time (like Spring Break). We booked dinners only. For lunch you’ll eat poolside to walk up to the many adorable food trucks along the beach. Breakfast, I’ll mention below.

Can you smoke in the casino?

No! I don’t know if it’s a new rule on the island or just different than Atlantis but I remember the smoke there being pretty bad. There was no smoking at all at the Baha Mar Casino.

What are the best spots to eat? 

Breakfast: The Library (no reservations, it’s continental + you can add on items)

Breakfast: Cafe Madeline (no reservations)

Dinner: Costa

Dinner: Cleo (Mediterranean tapas)

Dinner: Marcus Fish + Chop House

Bar: Manor Bar at The Rosewood

Overall it’s a really fun resort to visit that’s easy to get to!