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A Guide to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

If you’re looking for a luxurious and unforgettable vacation experience, look no further than Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. This incredible resort is located on the pristine Cable Beach in Nassau, Bahamas, and offers a wide range of amenities and activities that will make your stay truly unforgettable.

From beautifully appointed guest rooms to world-class restaurants, an award-winning spa, and exciting water sports activities, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar has everything you need for the ultimate vacation experience. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Grand Hyatt Baha Mar so special, and why it should be at the top of your travel bucket list.

What are the best credit cards to use in the Bahamas?

When planning your trip to the Bahamas, especially to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, it’s important to consider your credit card options to maximize your spending. As most of your expenses are likely to be in the dining (restaurants) and travel categories, I prefer to use credit cards with the highest earning rates in these categories.

Consider bringing three travel credit cards with you to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar: the Amex Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier Card. By choosing the right credit cards for your trip, you can earn valuable rewards and enjoy your stay at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar to the fullest.

What is the best time of year to visit the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

If you’re looking for the warmest weather and the highest number of activities and events, the peak season runs from December through April. During this time, you can expect sunny skies and temperatures in the high 70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (we’ve always had perfect weather), making it perfect for outdoor activities like swimming and water sports. However, this is also the busiest time (tons of people from the northeast were there in February 2023 and 2024) of the year, so expect larger crowds and higher prices.

If you’re looking for lower prices and fewer crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder season, which runs from May through August or September (Ashlee visited in September 2018). While the temperatures may be slightly hotter and there may be more rainfall, you can still enjoy plenty of sunshine and outdoor activities.

The low season, which runs from September through November, offers the lowest prices but also carries the risk of hurricane season. However, if you’re willing to take the risk, you can enjoy fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere during this time.

How far is the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar from Nassau Airport (NAS)?

Getting to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is easy with non-stop flights available from Nassau Airport (NAS) to various cities in the United States. Here’s a list of airlines and routes (these may change) that offer non-stop flights from Nassau Airport to the US:

  • American Airlines: Charlotte, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington–National; Seasonal: Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth
  • Delta Air Lines: Atlanta, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia; Seasonal: Boston
  • United Airlines: Houston–Intercontinental, Newark; Seasonal: Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Washington–Dulles
  • Southwest Airlines: Orlando; Seasonal: Baltimore
  • JetBlue Airways: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia, Orlando, Washington–National
  • Bahamasair: Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando

Once you arrive at Nassau Airport, it’s important to note that there are no Lyft or Uber services available in the country, so you’ll need cash (rides are $20-$40 one-way) for the 10 to 15-minute cab ride to the resort. The Baha Mar has car service for $75 each way.

What is the check-in/check-out policy at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

The check-in time at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is 4:00 PM and the check-out time is 11:00 AM. Early check-in or late check-out may be available upon request, but it is subject to availability and additional fees may apply.

In 2024 and 2023, we attempted to check in around 2:00 PM and it took roughly two hours for the Grand Hyatt Bah Mar to have a room ready for us.

If your room is not ready when you arrive, you can store luggage at the resort (the bellman will take care of this upon arrival) until your room is ready. Similarly, if you need to depart after the check-out time, the hotel can store your luggage at the resort until you are ready to leave.

The resort also offers the option of express check-out, which allows guests to check out quickly and conveniently without having to visit the front desk. To use this service, guests can simply review their bills and settle any outstanding charges using the TV in their room. They can then leave their room keys in the room and depart directly from the resort.

What types of rooms and suites are available at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar offers a variety of rooms and suites to cater to different types of travelers. The rooms and suites are designed with modern decor and feature comfortable bedding, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and private balconies with views of the ocean, pools, or resort grounds.

The room categories include:

Standard Guest Room: These rooms offer either one king bed or two queen beds and can accommodate up to four guests.

View Guest Room: These rooms offer the same bedding options as the standard guest rooms but feature views of the ocean, pools, or resort grounds.

Suites: The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar also offers a range of suites, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom options. The suites offer separate living areas and additional bathrooms, and some feature private plunge pools or direct access to the resort’s pool areas.

We booked our 2024 in a Standard Guest Room ocean view with a full balcony. I redeemed World of Hyatt points for our stay for this Award Category 6 stay. The number of points fluctuates between 21,000-29,000 points per night. We redeemed 29,000 points per night for our February stay.

Our 2023 stay was in a Standard Guest Room ocean view with a Juliette balcony with World of Hyatt points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards. The hotel was an Award Category 5 which means it cost 17,000 – 23,000 points per night depending on if you booked the hotel during off-peak, standard, or peak award dates.

The Juliette is nice but you can’t sit outside on the balcony. If a balcony is important to you, the resort lists rooms with a balcony in the room description.

What are the dining options at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar offers a wide range of dining options to cater to different tastes and preferences. Here are some of the dining options that we have tried during our visits:

  • Katsuya: A Japanese restaurant with sushi and robata dishes (we eat here every year).
  • Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House: Located beachfront at Baha Mar resort offering Bahamian and seafood cuisine (excellent views, we eat here every year).
  • Fi’lia: An Italian restaurant serving homemade pasta and pizzas.
  • Cleo Mediterraneo: A Mediterranean restaurant with a focus on sharing plates and mezze (service can be hit or miss).
  • Regatta Food Hall: A casual dining experience with multiple food stations offering everything from pizza to tacos to gelato (we eat breakfast every day here).
  • Pizza Lab: A casual, fun, and family-friendly dining experience open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner serving family-style breakfast to slices and whole pies of New York, Chicago, Sicilian and Neapolitan pizza, as well as pasta and other Italian favorites (low key pizza spot we eat at every year).
  • Cafe Madeline: A French-inspired cafe with pastries, sandwiches, and salads.
  • Jazz Bar: A jazz-themed bar with live music and cocktails (opens at 9:00 PM).
  • Knosh Kosher: A casual eatery in an Airstream on the beach offering conch fritters and other Bahamian specialties.
  • Da’ Poke Bowl: Marinated fish – usually tuna – bowls tossed over rice and topped with vegetables and umami-packed sauces.
  • Umami Burger: The burgers, originally from L.A., are served from a vibrant orange Airstream within the waterpark.

These are just some of the dining options available at the hotel. The resort also has several bars and lounges (the Cigar Bar and Manor Bar are robust), as well as in-room dining options.

What activities are available at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar offers a wide range of activities to keep guests entertained during their stay. Here are some of the activities available:

  1. Beach and pools: The resort has several pools, including an adults-only pool, family pool, and infinity pool, as well as a white-sand beach.
  2. Casino: Baha Mar Casino is the largest casino in the Caribbean, with 100,000 square feet of gaming space and over 1,000 slot machines.
  3. Water sports: Guests can enjoy various water sports activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and more.
  4. Golf: The resort features an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course (it’s not cheap but it’s fun)
  5. Spa: The ESPA spa at Baha Mar offers a range of treatments, including massages, facials, and body treatments (Ashlee loves the spa!).
  6. Shopping: The resort has several high-end shops and boutiques, including luxury retailers like Rolex and Tiffany & Co.
  7. Kids’ activities: The resort offers a kids’ club with supervised activities, as well as a teen lounge for older kids.

These are just some of the activities available at the resort. The resort also hosts various events and concerts throughout the year, so guests should check the event calendar for the latest updates.

Is there a beach at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

Yes, the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar has a private beach, which is located just a short walk from the hotel’s main building. The beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand and turquoise waters and is open to guests of the hotel. Next to the Baha Mar’s beach is Rosewood’s private beach.

There are also a variety of beach activities and water sports available, such as jet skiing, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. Our friends joined us this year and raved about the jet skiing. Overall, the beach is low-key, quite, and great for kids in the morning.

Is there a casino at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

Yes! The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar has a casino as part of the resort complex. The casino is called the Baha Mar Casino and features a 100,000-square-foot gaming floor (it’s massive!) with over 1,000 slot machines, 119 gaming tables, and a sportsbook (a great place to watch sports).

The casino is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (if you’re so inclined), and offers a range of games including blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, and more. In addition to the casino, the Baha Mar resort complex also offers a variety of other entertainment options including restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and a golf course.

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar FAQs

What are the transportation options from Nassau Airport to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

There are several transportation options from Nassau Airport (NAS) to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, including:

  1. Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside of the airport terminal and can take you directly to the hotel. The fare is approximately $25-$35 USD one-way and the ride takes about 10-15 minutes.
  2. Hotel Shuttle: The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar offers a shuttle service from the airport to the hotel for a fee. The shuttle must be arranged in advance by contacting the hotel directly.
  3. Car Rental: Several car rental companies are located at the airport, and you can rent a car to drive to the hotel. The hotel also offers valet parking for guests with rental cars.
  4. Private Car Service: Private car services such as Bahamas Transportation Services and Majestic Tours offer airport transfers to the hotel for a fee. These services must be arranged in advance.

It’s important to note that ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are not currently available in the Bahamas.

Is there a spa at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

Yes, there is a spa at the hotel. The spa is called “Exhale” and it offers a variety of services such as massages, facials, body treatments, and fitness classes. It also features a sauna, steam room, and relaxation lounge. Ashlee had a massage during our last visit and raved about the experience and customer service.

Are pets allowed at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar?

According to the hotel’s website, pets are not allowed at the hotel, except service animals (we have never seen animals during our visits).

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Conclusion

In conclusion, the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is a world-class resort destination that offers an exceptional experience for travelers of all kinds. With luxurious accommodations, outstanding dining options, and an array of activities and amenities, it’s no surprise that the resort is a top choice for those visiting the Bahamas.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed adventure, the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar has something for everyone. With its prime location and top-notch amenities, it’s no wonder why so many travelers, including our family, rave about their experiences at the resort. So, if you’re planning a trip to the Bahamas, this hotel is worth considering.