Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 242-322-2796/97;
www.graycliff.com
; 8-12 W Hill St; r/ste $325/450;
) Nassau's most discreet and character- laden hotel is this slightly spooky 260- year-old
home built by a wealthy pirate. Hidden above town on W Hill St, the Georgian-style main
house is filled with high-ceilinged rooms, musty antiques, mismatched oriental rugs, and
intriguing nooks and corners begging further exploration. Huge gardenside cottages are
equally alluring. There's an extraordinary Spanish-tiled pool surrounded by mossy ma-
sonry walls trailing hibiscus and bougainvillea; a smoking room and a library resplendent
with the rich aroma of Cuban cigars; an astonishing wine cellar and a five-star restaurant
beloved by deep-pocketed gourmands. Former guests include Sir Winston Churchill, the
Beatles and LL Cool J.
British Colonial Hilton Nassau
HOTEL $$$
( 242-322-9036;
www.hiltoncaribbean.com/nassau
;
1 Bay St; r $195-450; )
Built in 1922, this seven-story grande dame is a downtown Nassau institution. The hotel
was a location for two James Bond movies, and it's easy to see why - with its gleaming
marble lobby and sleek graphite-and-mahogany common spaces, it has the timeless inter-
national elegance of 007 himself. The 288 rooms and suites have tastefully muted contem-
porary decor, with marble-lined bathrooms and crisp white linens. Several on-site restaur-
ants and bars offer excellent people-watching - this is where Bahamian bigshots wheel and
deal. The small private beach doesn't get washed by the sea, but it does have interesting
views of the cruise ship docks.
El Greco
HOTEL $$
( 242-325-1121;
www.hotels-nassau-bahamas.com
;
cnr W Bay & Augusta Sts; r
$125-275; ) Choose your room wisely and this Spanish-style hotel can be a sweet
deal. What to pick: a sunny end room with gracefully arched entranceways and a view
over the bougainvillea-draped balconies. What to avoid: a dim, gloomy interior room with
motel-style beds. The tiny lobby has an Old World European feel, as does the statue-filled
pool deck. Walking distance from downtown.
Nassau Palm Resort
HOTEL $$
( 242-356-0000;
www.nassau-hotel.com
;
cnr W Bay & Nassau Sts; r $99-199;
) At the western corner of downtown, this bustling 183-room property works best for
on-the-go travelers looking for a simple home base at the end of a busy day. Bright tropical
colors splash across bedspreads, brightening otherwise standard rooms. Junkanoo Beach, a
small but pretty stretch of sand, is right across the street.
