Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
450 per night/week from mid- December to mid-April, and drop even lower in summer and
fall. Many condos are part of resort complexes, so renters get full use of the facilities.
Try contacting
Thompsons Real Estate
( 242-373-9050;
www.thompsonsrealestate.com
;
Freeport) which rents out a range of apartments from stu-
dios to two-bed units (mainly around Lucaya).
Freeport
Downtown Freeport hotels are a bargain, but the savings may quickly diminish once you
factor in bus and taxi trips to the beaches and restaurants of Lucaya. Other than price and
convenience to the airport, there's little reason for visitors to sleep here.
Royal Islander Hotel
HOTEL $$
( 242-351-6000;
www.royalislanderhotel.com
;
East Mall Dr, Freeport; r $90;
) Bold floral- print bedspreads, colorful pictures and faux rattan furniture keep things
bright at this well-traveled property. Mid-sized rooms surround a courtyard pool and come
with in-room safe, cable TV and phone.
QUICKIE CRUISES
Just 55 miles east of Florida, Grand Bahama is close enough for day-trip or
overnight cruises. Two operators ply the 'quickie cruise' territory:
Discovery
Cruise Line
( 800-259-1579;
www.discoverycruiseline.com
; trips from $99)
does a popular one-day party cruise from Fort Lauderdale, with all-you-can-eat
breakfast and dinner buffets, free booze and casino gambling. The trip is about
four hours each way, which leaves time for an afternoon of shopping and sun in
Freeport and Lucaya. You can also elect to stay overnight and cruise back a day
or two later.
Bahamas Celebration
( 800-314-7735;
www.bahamascelebration.com
;
trips from $99) leaves Palm Beach in the after-
noon, spends the night at sea, then docks in Grand Bahama the following morn-
ing for a day of island activities before returning that evening. More upscale and
family-friendly than the party-hearty Discovery, it's got a spa and a kid's club
onboard and cabins ranging from bare-bones to luxe. For a longer stay, choose a
two- or four-night add-on at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort.
Castaways Resort
HOTEL $$
( 242-352-6682;
www.castaways-resort.com
;
E Mall Dr; r $105; ) Popular
with Bahamian business travelers, this pink stucco rectangle is so clean it smells like an
