Nassau next year
Discussion
I've got a hankering to visit Nassau next year - it's a major birthday and I'd like to be able to recreate a picture that my late father is featured in.
He was part of the honour guard for JFK and McMillan when they were negotiating the acquisition of Polaris nuclear missiles.
He always wanted to go back, sadly he never made, so it's my plan to do this for him.
Where's the best places to stay and flights from Manchester? Not wanting to break the bank.
SD.
He was part of the honour guard for JFK and McMillan when they were negotiating the acquisition of Polaris nuclear missiles.
He always wanted to go back, sadly he never made, so it's my plan to do this for him.
Where's the best places to stay and flights from Manchester? Not wanting to break the bank.
SD.
You've got your reasons for going, but I really wouldn't. It's really not nice. 4 or 5 cruise ships docked at any one time, very mediocre food and the place is full of beach clubs.
We were there about 4 weeks ago, I was very excited to be going and was looking forward to it immensely. I was seriously disappointed and really didn't enjoy it at all. We only spent about 8 hours in Nassau before flying back to the UK, however that was definitely long enough for me to be very sure that I never wanted to return.
We were there about 4 weeks ago, I was very excited to be going and was looking forward to it immensely. I was seriously disappointed and really didn't enjoy it at all. We only spent about 8 hours in Nassau before flying back to the UK, however that was definitely long enough for me to be very sure that I never wanted to return.
100% agree
Nassau is grim. We went two years back and wouldn't go again.
The other islands are nice I hear. But Nassau is on a par with Blackpool.
You will find places to have a good time but it's a thumbs down from me.
Maybe do a couple of nights. Get your photo op. Then head off elsewhere.
Nassau is grim. We went two years back and wouldn't go again.
The other islands are nice I hear. But Nassau is on a par with Blackpool.
You will find places to have a good time but it's a thumbs down from me.
Maybe do a couple of nights. Get your photo op. Then head off elsewhere.
I lived in Nassau and sort of agree that it wouldn't be my first choice of holiday destination; it's certainly not a lot of fun when the cruise boats come in and flood the town (typically the most downmarket cruises imaginable from Florida). But if you have a reason for going there, you could make a decent stay of it and get a feel for the place. I'd agree with the British Colonial Hilton as a place to stay, it may remind you of the Bond movie
Edited to add: Nassau certainly isn't cheap - when I lived there we would regularly fly over and party in Miami Friday to Sunday because that cost the same as staying in Nassau (including the Miami flights, car and hotel)
Edited to add: Nassau certainly isn't cheap - when I lived there we would regularly fly over and party in Miami Friday to Sunday because that cost the same as staying in Nassau (including the Miami flights, car and hotel)
Edited by mikef on Saturday 19th April 18:41
As all have said, Nassau itself isn't the nicest of towns and is pretty expensive - having said that I had a superb time on a friends stag, when all the Americans stopped going to Mexico for Spring Break a few years back.
Perhaps try and do a day in Nassau and stay further out of town, Baha Mar for example, or get a ferry/fly to one of the outlying islands, which are much quieter. You should find a more boutique and relaxed atmosphere here too.
Perhaps try and do a day in Nassau and stay further out of town, Baha Mar for example, or get a ferry/fly to one of the outlying islands, which are much quieter. You should find a more boutique and relaxed atmosphere here too.
I am going to disagree that Nassau isn’t worth visiting. Disclaimer: I love the Bahamas and have been visiting since my Dad was posted there in the 1990s. I’m booked to stay in Nassau this year.
Firstly, The Bahamas is made up of 700 islands. Nassau is the most populated island but obviously isn’t the whole country. I totally understand why avoiding the thousands of US cruise visitors is not everyone’s idea of holiday perfection. But I don’t think there is a more beautiful place to be than a Bahamian beach on an ‘out island’ and staring at the bluest ocean waters.
So, how do you get a taste of the best of The Bahamas? My suggestion:
Fly direct to Nassau from the UK (avoid US Immigration) on a Wednesday or Thursday. Book The Comfort Suites, Paradise Island until Saturday (Paradise Island is connected to New Providence/Nassau by two bridges). This is not the nicest hotel but as you won't spend much time in your room it does the job, includes breakfast and full access to The Atlantis resort making it decent value. Atlantis includes a water park, amazing aquariums and direct access to Paradise beach (previously known as Cabbage). There is also a casino, shops, a theatre, golf, nightclub, a marina, etc. Paradise Island also has a few ‘off resort’ restaurants (e.g. Asian Grill, Cabbage Beach Bistro) that give you a bit more of a local experience. If you want to pretend to be Daniel Craig from Casino Royale then you can visit the Ocean Club (there used to be a display of various pictures from the filming in the bar). Sadly the DB5 won't be there. From Paradise Island you can also get a water taxi directly to downtown. This would be an easy way for you to then explore your family connection. If you don’t like the idea of Paradise Island, then I agree the British Colonial - which was renovated very recently - which is located downtown could be a good choice. There is a private beach there plus you can use the facilities of the resort next door as well.
As this is Pistonheads, while you are downtown you might want to visit the Heritage Museum (opposite Graycliff Hotel, itself worth a look around as it has an amazing history) as the museum includes a small display about Nassau Speed Weeks (1950s & 60s). There are a couple of great books about the Speed Weeks which include amazing pictures of 250 GTOs, Cobras, E-Types being off-loaded from ships on Bay St and driven over to the 'Windsor Field' race track. This event was revived in the early 2000s (Stirling Moss attended) and included both period cars returning and a few others (even a TVR wedge). The Antique Auto Club of the Bahamas used to have an annual car show and there is an ancient website showing the type of cars that are kept going (a mix of American and British cars). A bit of Googling and you'll see what I mean about all this! While you are downtown there are a few decent options for food/drinks: Cafe Matisse, London Bahamas, Oku. Then there is Pirate Brewing or Rip Ty’d for craft beer and Watlings Distillery for rum (and another Bond location).
If you really like James Bond you can find lots of the locations from Thunderball, Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again & The Spy Who Loved Me (underwater shots only). There’s a book called ‘Filming James Bond in the Bahamas’ if you wanted a detailed guide to track them down although some are in gated communities and/or on a military base so you won’t be able to access everything.
Then on Saturday you could take the Bahamas Fast Ferry to Harbour Island (via Spanish Wells). Harbour Island is my idea of heaven. It’s a small island with a long history that you can easily & safely walk around. It has a selection of cafes and restaurants. And - above all - the most perfect beach I’ve ever seen. Accommodation can be ludicrously expensive, but if you try The Landing you get a good level of accommodation, right by the ferry dock and easy walking to various restaurants (Da Vine Sushi next door is exceptional). They have a pool as well as a ‘spot’ on the beach with beach chairs. etc.
If you stay until Friday, you can then get the Fast Ferry back to Nassau. From there you could book a couple more nights (e.g. Grand Hyatt at Bahamas if you want another resort or The Island House if you wanted to see another part of Nassau). If you stay at The Island House you are close to the national heritage park (amazing underwater sculpture park) and Stuart Coves (dive/snorkelling trips, including to the wrecks from Thunderball, Never SayNever Again and - er - Jaws 4). They also do a trip where you can snorkel with sharks. Quite a moment to look down and see a dozen sharks swimming around just under you. There are also a few restaurants on this part of the island that are interesting - e.g. Island Cafe (used to be a famous recording studio for Island Records and you can get a tour. I bet some of your favourite records were recorded in the building). Captain's Table is inside Lyford Cay which is where Sean Connery lived for many years (but you'll need a reservation to get past security). There is also Sandy Port where if you visit a few of the bars/restaurants (e.g. Bon Vivants, Poop Deck) see if you can find an immaculate Austin 7 on display in one of the places! Island House also have/had a classic Defender and/or London Taxi to take you down to their private beach.
If you really want to get a taste of the ‘out islands’ (even more 'out' than Harbour Island) then the Powerboat Adventures trip is a good one. It goes to a few islands in the Exumas. In fact if you don't want to do the Harbour Island part of the trip this would give you a taste of a few islands in one day. This company has been going since the late 1980s, so they are doing something right! It is not cheap, but is a long day and really gets you a taste of the ‘real Bahamas’.
Anyway, it will never be the cheapest place to visit but with a bit of planning (and flexibility with the number of nights accommodation) you can work something out. And if you make it to the beach on Harbour Island I think you’ll remember the trip for that alone for the rest of your life.
Firstly, The Bahamas is made up of 700 islands. Nassau is the most populated island but obviously isn’t the whole country. I totally understand why avoiding the thousands of US cruise visitors is not everyone’s idea of holiday perfection. But I don’t think there is a more beautiful place to be than a Bahamian beach on an ‘out island’ and staring at the bluest ocean waters.
So, how do you get a taste of the best of The Bahamas? My suggestion:
Fly direct to Nassau from the UK (avoid US Immigration) on a Wednesday or Thursday. Book The Comfort Suites, Paradise Island until Saturday (Paradise Island is connected to New Providence/Nassau by two bridges). This is not the nicest hotel but as you won't spend much time in your room it does the job, includes breakfast and full access to The Atlantis resort making it decent value. Atlantis includes a water park, amazing aquariums and direct access to Paradise beach (previously known as Cabbage). There is also a casino, shops, a theatre, golf, nightclub, a marina, etc. Paradise Island also has a few ‘off resort’ restaurants (e.g. Asian Grill, Cabbage Beach Bistro) that give you a bit more of a local experience. If you want to pretend to be Daniel Craig from Casino Royale then you can visit the Ocean Club (there used to be a display of various pictures from the filming in the bar). Sadly the DB5 won't be there. From Paradise Island you can also get a water taxi directly to downtown. This would be an easy way for you to then explore your family connection. If you don’t like the idea of Paradise Island, then I agree the British Colonial - which was renovated very recently - which is located downtown could be a good choice. There is a private beach there plus you can use the facilities of the resort next door as well.
As this is Pistonheads, while you are downtown you might want to visit the Heritage Museum (opposite Graycliff Hotel, itself worth a look around as it has an amazing history) as the museum includes a small display about Nassau Speed Weeks (1950s & 60s). There are a couple of great books about the Speed Weeks which include amazing pictures of 250 GTOs, Cobras, E-Types being off-loaded from ships on Bay St and driven over to the 'Windsor Field' race track. This event was revived in the early 2000s (Stirling Moss attended) and included both period cars returning and a few others (even a TVR wedge). The Antique Auto Club of the Bahamas used to have an annual car show and there is an ancient website showing the type of cars that are kept going (a mix of American and British cars). A bit of Googling and you'll see what I mean about all this! While you are downtown there are a few decent options for food/drinks: Cafe Matisse, London Bahamas, Oku. Then there is Pirate Brewing or Rip Ty’d for craft beer and Watlings Distillery for rum (and another Bond location).
If you really like James Bond you can find lots of the locations from Thunderball, Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again & The Spy Who Loved Me (underwater shots only). There’s a book called ‘Filming James Bond in the Bahamas’ if you wanted a detailed guide to track them down although some are in gated communities and/or on a military base so you won’t be able to access everything.
Then on Saturday you could take the Bahamas Fast Ferry to Harbour Island (via Spanish Wells). Harbour Island is my idea of heaven. It’s a small island with a long history that you can easily & safely walk around. It has a selection of cafes and restaurants. And - above all - the most perfect beach I’ve ever seen. Accommodation can be ludicrously expensive, but if you try The Landing you get a good level of accommodation, right by the ferry dock and easy walking to various restaurants (Da Vine Sushi next door is exceptional). They have a pool as well as a ‘spot’ on the beach with beach chairs. etc.
If you stay until Friday, you can then get the Fast Ferry back to Nassau. From there you could book a couple more nights (e.g. Grand Hyatt at Bahamas if you want another resort or The Island House if you wanted to see another part of Nassau). If you stay at The Island House you are close to the national heritage park (amazing underwater sculpture park) and Stuart Coves (dive/snorkelling trips, including to the wrecks from Thunderball, Never SayNever Again and - er - Jaws 4). They also do a trip where you can snorkel with sharks. Quite a moment to look down and see a dozen sharks swimming around just under you. There are also a few restaurants on this part of the island that are interesting - e.g. Island Cafe (used to be a famous recording studio for Island Records and you can get a tour. I bet some of your favourite records were recorded in the building). Captain's Table is inside Lyford Cay which is where Sean Connery lived for many years (but you'll need a reservation to get past security). There is also Sandy Port where if you visit a few of the bars/restaurants (e.g. Bon Vivants, Poop Deck) see if you can find an immaculate Austin 7 on display in one of the places! Island House also have/had a classic Defender and/or London Taxi to take you down to their private beach.
If you really want to get a taste of the ‘out islands’ (even more 'out' than Harbour Island) then the Powerboat Adventures trip is a good one. It goes to a few islands in the Exumas. In fact if you don't want to do the Harbour Island part of the trip this would give you a taste of a few islands in one day. This company has been going since the late 1980s, so they are doing something right! It is not cheap, but is a long day and really gets you a taste of the ‘real Bahamas’.
Anyway, it will never be the cheapest place to visit but with a bit of planning (and flexibility with the number of nights accommodation) you can work something out. And if you make it to the beach on Harbour Island I think you’ll remember the trip for that alone for the rest of your life.
Thanks for the nice comments - appreciated.
I usually post about once every 10 years, but going wild and adding this picture for anyone interested in a taste of what I was referring to about the Bahamas Speed Weeks from the 1950s and 60s.
There are a couple of books all about it with amazing photos (e.g. one by Terry O'Neil) or search 'Nassau speed week' on Getty Images for some of the photos taken by a photographer called Slim Aarons in the early 1960s. One of his more famous shots is of Kevin McClory - screenwriter/film producer - crossing Nassau Harbour in his Amphicar. Kevin also knew Ian Fleming and later ended up with the some Bond rights including the Thunderball story (hence the Never Say Never Again 'remake').
I usually post about once every 10 years, but going wild and adding this picture for anyone interested in a taste of what I was referring to about the Bahamas Speed Weeks from the 1950s and 60s.
There are a couple of books all about it with amazing photos (e.g. one by Terry O'Neil) or search 'Nassau speed week' on Getty Images for some of the photos taken by a photographer called Slim Aarons in the early 1960s. One of his more famous shots is of Kevin McClory - screenwriter/film producer - crossing Nassau Harbour in his Amphicar. Kevin also knew Ian Fleming and later ended up with the some Bond rights including the Thunderball story (hence the Never Say Never Again 'remake').
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