Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bimini Big Game Club
HOTEL $$
( 242-347-3391;
www.biggameclubbimini.com
; King's Hwy, Alice Town; r $149-179,
cottages $199-229, penthouses $225-350; ) Newly renovated by famed marine
life painter Guy Harvey, whose macho images of sharks and marlins adorn basement rec
rooms worldwide, this is by far the nicest place to stay in Alice Town. Huge rooms have
plush beds with shipshape white linens, flat panel TVs and mosaic stone shower stalls.
There's a lovely pool and a two-story restaurant and bar, which gets hopping at night even
in the low season. For fishing tournaments, the resort books up years in advance.
Bimini Bay Resort & Marina
RESORT $$$
( 242-347-2900;
www.biminibayresort.com
;
studios from $250, villas from $350-1200;
) Rapidly expanding across the top half of North Bimini, this ambitious resort
complex was still in its early phases when we visited. But if things continue as planned,
Bimini Bay will change the face of this low-key island, turning mangrove swamp into
Florida-style condos and golf courses (see the boxed text,
Click here
). There's even a
Dubai-style fake island in the works! As of now, it has 370 pastel luxury condos, with
plantation shutters, multiple patios and shiny new granite kitchens, scattered across acres
of manicured lawns. A small pedestrian shopping zone has luxuries heretofore unknown on
Bimini - a John Bull duty-free store and an espresso bar.
Bimini Sands Resort & Marina
RESORT $$$
( 242-347-3500;
www.biminisands.com
;
units $260-400; ) On South
Bimini, these beachy, modern one- and two-bedroom condos attract yachties, retired Flor-
idians and families with kids. Feels more like an upscale apartment complex than a resort
- take the free shuttle bus to the nearby
Beach Club
for drinks and socializing.
MANGROVES IN DANGER?
The Bimini Bay Resort & Marina on North Bimini, currently in its first phase of
development, is by far the biggest resort complex in the Biminis. Some say it's
also the biggest threat to the island's ecosystem. The resort's planned expansion
will destroy some of North Bimini's mangrove swamps, which are crucial fish
and shark spawning grounds, as well as an important bulwark against hurricane
damage. International groups like the Mangrove Action Project as well as na-
tional environmental organizations like the Bahamas National Trust have
spoken out against the resort's expansion. Fabien Cousteau, grandson of le-
