Our escape to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar was pure paradise. According to the Wall Street Journal, “skip-gen” vacations are the latest family travel trend with grandparents leaving parents behind to take their grandchildren on adventures. Come along with me on my luxury “gramping” experience at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau which blended fun, relaxation, and many unique experiences for our 9-year-old grandson.
The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Nassau in The Bahamas is an elegant, luxury resort with a Las Vegas vibe, set in the Caribbean. It’s also geared towards families, so we felt very comfortable there among the many kids in tow. The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is renowned for its Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed golf course, a world-class racquet club with pickleball courts, a glamorous casino, a full-service ESPA spa, luxury shopping, an Art Gallery, and a mini-golf course, plus a gazillion activities. I suggest downloading the Baha Mar App to make reservations, check hours, and use the interactive map.
A Choice of Luxury Accommodations
This sprawling complex is home to three world-class beachfront hotels – Rosewood, SLS, and Grand Hyatt, which has 1,800 rooms in East and West Towers. We opted to stay in The Reserve at the Grand Hyatt, like an upscale hotel within a hotel, complete with butler service. Our two-bedroom suite overlooked exquisite views of the Atlantic Ocean. Every morning, we would stand on the balcony and look out at the exquisite views.
Our suite featured a kitchen with a mini-fridge and microwave. The Reserve also included a team of butlers (3) who were there to provide us with impeccable service that truly enhanced our visit. Making dinner reservations, keeping us filled with Diet Coke and ice, handling transportation arrangements, plus personally escorting us to before we knew the way were just some of their assistance.
The Reserve also presented complimentary food and beverage offerings throughout the day. I could take my grandson down early to get some fruit and a chocolate muffin before breakfast, while I would grab a latte. Cookies were displayed in the afternoon for a quick snack, and from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, elegant cheese, cold cuts, and mini-desserts were served.
Splash Away at Baha Mar’s Unique Aquatic Experiences
We stood in awe of the six beautiful on-property pools. For a little downtime, there’s even an adults-only Quiet Pool. The new, 15-acre waterpark, Baha Bay Club is the place to be with a Kids Play area, a lazy river, a wave pool, and 24 chilling water slides. We splurged for a cabana which came outfitted with a TV, mini-fridge, lounge chairs, plus fresh fruit, and a bottle of Rose. But we took a break for lunch at Da Poke Bar one day and El Jefe for tacos the other.
Check out Dean’s Blue Hole Pool, named for the Bahamian sinkhole wonder. Imagine swimming through the alluring waterfalls, rock walls for jumping, and a secluded grotto with a window to view sea turtles and sharks.
Kids Explorers Club Gives Kids New Experiences
Baha Mar’s Explorers Club is first class for kids 3-12 with activities that include arts and crafts, treasure hunts, wildlife encounters, and more. Our grandson had participated in a Kids Club at another resort and wanted to see it, but ultimately decided to just hang out with us. It was good to know this option was there.
Dining Options Ideal for “Gramping” Families
Baha Mar offers more than 40 different dining concepts, ranging from food trucks, to destination dining, all-day cafes, plus casual and fine dining at the hotel’s signature restaurants. There’s even a Kosher food truck called Knosh, near the beach. Almost all of the venues offered a kids’ menu. The Pizza Lab served delicious pizza, unbelievable gelato, refreshing salads, and a great breakfast.
Celebrated chef Marcus Samuelson’s Fish & Chop House is the premiere dining experience at the resort. The restaurant is an upscale blend of Samuelson’s native Ethiopian and soul food to create a most memorable dining experience. His award-winning cuisine is a proud blend of cultures. Asher enjoyed steak and French fries. I practically devoured the Colorado Lamp Chops, rich and savory with crispy potatoes. His signature cornbread with rum butter is out-of-this-world.
The Regatta Buffet with its make your own omelets, carving station, and plenty of homemade desserts started our morning out right. Sam’s Crispy Chicken hit the spot for lunch, and Sugar Factory had great rainbow sliders (plus a candy store.)
Go Wild at The Sanctuary
The best part about Baha Mar is the opportunity to provide your grandchild with new experiences in wildlife, art, cooking, and more. Baha Mar is committed to conservation in the Bahamas with a full slate of eco-friendly, educational programs. At the Flamingo Meet & Greet, we learned about their feeding habits and how they get their pink color. (It takes them three years to obtain that pink glow, mainly from eating foods with beta-carotene.) At the Sanctuary, we visited the Aldabra Tortoises to touch and feed these gentle creatures. Kids can also become a Junior Marine Biologist, Meet the Macaws, and other experiences.
Explore Historic Nassau
Founded in 1670, Nassau is the capital and largest city in the Bahamas. Old forts, Parliament Square, and Blackbeard’s Tower are some of the historic sites worth visiting. Don’t miss the 18th century Graycliff Castle, built by pirate John Graysmith. which boasts the first five-star restaurant in the Bahamas and the third-largest wine cellar in the world. At Graycliff Restaurant, we enjoyed an exquisite dinner of Caesar Salad, filet of Prime Beef with bearnaise sauce, and a sumptuous salmon entrée. We pre-ordered their famous chocolate souffle and dug in with great gusto. We returned the next day for a tour of Graycliff Chocolatier, where we learned to master the art of chocolate-making.
of wine from all the world. Photo by Mira Temkin.
Check out the local flavor at Arawak Cay, a community of Bahamian restaurants where you can try seafood delicacies in a casual atmosphere. Nicknamed “Fish Fry” you can listen to the music, sip a pina colada and munch on conch fritters.
We enjoyed another nature encounter at the Ardastra Gardens and Wildlife Conservation Centre, which specializes in bird rescue and rehabilitation. Our grandson saw the flamingos on parade, touched a snake, and got boosted in a tree swing.
The most popular site in Nassau is the Queen’s Staircase, a walkway of 66 steps built by slaves between 1793 and 1794. Named to honor Queen Victoria who abolished slavery in 1837, the staircase is a cool, serene beautiful space with a cascading waterfall and it’s free. (It’s easier to walk down.)
Ready for shopping? The famous Straw Market is the place for t-shirts, trinkets, plus handcrafted straw baskets, wood carvings, and local delicacies. You won’t go home empty-handed.
Soon our “gramping” vacation was coming to an end. As we headed to the airport loaded down with rum cake and T-shirts, I asked our grandson of all the many wonderful things we experienced together, what his favorite part of the trip was. “Just being with you,” was his answer. Now that’s a win-win!
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