You know how people like to exaggerate numbers to make a point, or to sensationalize an event? Well, this isn’t one of those times. To build the Bahamas’ newest mega-resort, it literally took 4,000 laborers, $3.5 billion and plenty of after-work cocktails (or so we assume with a project this big). Baha Mar's March 27 opening seems to be coming at a great time since Forbes just announced the Caribbean’s luxurious comeback in February.
So what does that kind of money and man-power get you? Four luxury hotels with a combined 2,200 guestrooms, 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, a 100,000-square-foot casino and a 30,000-square-foot ESPA. Plus the area holds over 40 restaurants, 20 acres of beach and pool areas, art galleries, bars and clubs—basically, Disneyland for adults.
Baha Mar is located 10 minutes from Nassau’s international airport on 3,000 feet of beachfront property. Although it sits across the water from the Bahamas’ other mega-resort, the family-oriented Atlantis, Baha Mar is expected to appeal more to adults. “It’s really going to be much more of an adult type of resort. Obviously, we do welcome children and families over their holidays and special weekends, but it’s going to be very much a beautiful, James Bond-style of resort experience with very personalized service,” Luis Fernandes, managing director for Rosewood at Baha Mar told Forbes.
When all is said and done, the community will include the Baha Mar Casino & Hotel (1,000 rooms), SLS Lux at Baha Mar (300 rooms), Rosewood at Baha Mar (190 rooms), Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar (700 rooms; May) and the all-inclusive Meliá at Baha Mar (726 rooms; December).
The resort will also offer 284 free-hold, fully-deeded Baha Mar Residences within the four elite hotels for anyone to looking to make their visit a little more permanent. Comprised of one- to three-bedroom homes and four-bedroom villas, the residences offer buyers the chance to make Nassau their personal playground. Owners will benefit from tax breaks, eligibility for Bahamian permanent residency status and access to private banking entree into the hotel rental program.
And, adding his star-power to the already flashy development, is multi-platinum Grammy winning artist Lenny Kravitz. Created by Kravitz’ design team (that we told you about a few years back), Villa Roxie is an exclusive residence located at Baha Mar Casino & Hotel for elite guests. The 5,500-square-foot villa features a private fitness center, massage room and offers a global, modern and airy aesthetic. Baha Mar Casino will also be the development’s main centerpiece with its Vegas-like gaming experience.
Guestrooms at all hotels will reportedly include Nespresso coffee machines, full or step-out balconies and 48-inch flat screen televisions. Each individual resort will also feature their own smaller spas apart from the expansive ESPA. When considering which property to book, lovers of villas may want to look into Rosewood’s accommodations while those seeking a livelier atmosphere should book at the SLS.
For a more laid back yet elegant choice, shoot for the Grand Hyatt, and of course, the crème de la crème will be the Baha Mar Casino & Hotel where all the action will take place. We’re not 100 percent positive of all that Meliá will offer, but considering its brand, its sure to promise a good time. Currently room rates look to range between $220 to $585 a night, with Rosewood's rooms being the most expensive.
Baha Mar’s ribbon cutting ceremony will take place in April while the Grand Opening will be held in May. The events are expected to be a grand celebration spanning several days that include public and private parties. It’ll be like Christmas in spring! Now excuse me, I have some online swimsuit shopping to do.
