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NASSAU’S BAHA MAR CHAMPIONS THE EVOLUTION OF MEGARESORT CHIC

BY PAUL RUBIO

When the $4.2 billion excess that is Baha Mar debuted on Nassau’s Cable Beach in 2017, it revolutionized the concept of a megaresort. Despite its ambitious size, the property shined for its top-notch service, quality brands, and world-class experiences. Five years later, Baha Mar continues to wow with new activations, eateries, and events, plus an array of posh accommodations.

Baha Mar boasts numerous room and suite structures across its three hotel brands: Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood. Chief among these offerings are the 6,200-square-foot oceanside six-bedroom villas at Rosewood Baha Mar, which are the resort’s most lavish accommodations to date. When venturing outside, consider spending ample time at the new 15-acre Baha Bay, home to a sprawling “luxury waterpark” that speaks to Baha Mar’s larger-than-life allure. Sure, there are plenty of thrilling slides—don’t miss the high-speed Dueling Riptide Coaster—plus a 500,000-gallon wave pool, a lazy river, and a surf simulator. But throw in some gourmet food options, an outdoor casino, and a beach club (equipped with full-service private cabanas, hammocks, and two infinity-edge swimming pools) and discover exactly how a waterpark garners elite status.

Augmenting an already impressive collection of more than 45 restaurants and bars are two of the biggest names in the industry. Chef Marcus Samuelsson puts a Southern spin on Bahamian cuisine with Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, featuring crave-worthy dishes such as conch croquettes and spicy prawns complemented by juicy fried chicken and marshmallow-crusted sweet potato mash. A second outpost by Samuelsson, the more casual Streetbird on the Beach, serves the likes of crispy chicken sandwiches (slathered in hot pepper mayo) and calypso fritters (a conch–salt fish hybrid) from a food truck anchored in the sand. Icon Daniel Boulud imports a taste of France with Café Boulud, The Bahamas. Here, the marquee chef peppers a menu of French classics and signature dishes

Clockwise from right: The FlowRider at Baha Bay’s waterpark; Flamingo Yoga; the Baha Mar complex in its entirety; the Baha Bay Beach Club; Baha Mar’s casino, the largest in the Caribbean.

(hello, Tournedos Rossini) with Bahamian catch and produce.

As the world embraces the return of person-to-person interaction, Baha Mar follows suit with daily instructor-led programming. Try the one-of-a-kind Flamingo Yoga, stretching and planking among the property’s resident flock. Choose from a roster of art classes conducted at The Current Gallery & Art Center, including botanical leaf printing, landscape painting, and acrylic pouring. Hone your cooking skills with sessions for the entire family, or select others catering to just adults or kids.

Alternatively, craft your own schedule of active and leisurely pursuits, capitalizing on the surfeit of amenities. With multiple swimming pools, the Caribbean’s only flagship ESPA spa, the 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature design Royal Blue Golf Course, the largest casino in the Caribbean, and a shopping arcade of 30 high-end brands, everything from fun in the sun to retail therapy is on tap.

Beyond its glorious day-to-day delights, Baha Mar has found a niche hosting events that appeal to gourmands, sports enthusiasts, philanthropists, and more. One highlight from the past year was A Taste of SLS at Baha Mar, a decadent dining experience curated by the award-winning personalities behind the property’s restaurants, coupled with an intimate performance by musician John Legend. For 2022, the event is rebranding as The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival, slated for October 21-23. Another annual favorite is the Baha Mar Cup, a celebrity tennis fundraiser that last year saw Andy Roddick, Victoria Azarenka, and Mark Knowles battle it out in the name of charity while also engaging in matches with attendees and coaching local school children. The next Baha Mar Cup is scheduled for December 9-11, with another all-star lineup set to participate.

Without resting on the laurels of its initial success, Baha Mar surfaces as the pinnacle of megaresort chic, giving travelers the luxury of choice. This idyllic island getaway promises endless combinations of escapism, excitement, and indulgences, resulting in a memorable vacation for every personality within today’s travel set. (bahamar.com) «

Clockwise from top left: Living room, infinity pool, and deck of a six-bedroom oceanside villa; food and drink offerings at chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, plus restaurant interior; Café Boulud dining room.