LR
Travel Report
Grand Lucayan, Bahamas Fun in the Sun for Everyone
Grand Lucayan, Bahamas
Though Grand Bahama’s Freeport is best known, the charming little suburb of Lucaya, with its own marina and little market village, is where you’ll find the Grand Lucayan cresting a long, gorgeous stretch of white sand beach. This was where I stayed when attending the Culinary Festival last fall, and in size and scope it truly is grand. It’s comprised of 500some rooms in two distinctly different sections – one a colonial, plantation-style wing, the other a modern high-rise structure – with a large, serpentine maze of pools leading to the beach in between. Room views vary from garden and marina, to partial and full ocean views; mine was partial but still afforded me a front row seat to some glorious sunsets over the sea. There are seven food and drink spots (and all-inclusive is an option), ranging in influence from Caribbean-style eatery Iries, Asian-style China Beach, European fine dining emporium Churchill’s, and international-style Will Broadleaf, where their massive breakfast buffet is also served. There are also cafes and
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bars, organized children’s activities, a fitness centre and spa on site, and two championship golf courses nearby. There’s also a Vegas--style casino steps away, and the colourful market village is right across the street. (We enjoyed a local cultural show in the courtyard there.) So there’s lot’s to do! Also on site is the Manor House lawn, a manicured expanse of green with a gazebo that reaches out to the ocean. There was a wedding and reception going on during our stay and it certainly appeared to be an enchanting spot to tie the knot. One of my favorite escapes there was the Havana Rum & Cigar Bar off the grand lobby, where the bartender is above par and the atmosphere is old world elegant, but we also enjoyed the lively Hammerhead’s beach bar on the infinity pool by the sea with live music. My only disappointment was the lobby of the high-rise section, as it truly needs refurbishment, but other than that, Grand Lucayan is a great place for Bahamian-style fun in the sun for all. Visit: www.grandlucayan.com SUSAN AUTHOR CAMPBELL NAME Twitter: @suectravel