NASSAU, Bahamas -- Visitors to the Bahamas increased 13% to 2.2
million from January through June compared with the same period a
year ago, according to figures released by the ministry of tourism.
Last year, the total number of visitors was 3.6 million.
With a record number of visitors expected, properties islandwide
are sprucing up their offerings. A host of new hotels also are on
the horizon.
Developments include:
Coral Sands Hotel on Harbour Island will add 12 new rooms in
two buildings, bringing the total room count to 39.Manager Judy Allen said the property will close Sept. 18 and
reopen on Oct. 28.
Eight rooms will be deluxe oceanfront and four will be
one-bedroom apartments, at a cost of more than $1 million.
Coral Sands Hotel
Phone: (800) 468-2799
Web: www.coralsands.com
Construction began this spring on Harborside Resort at
Atlantis, a 198-unit time-share property on Paradise Island.The first phase will open early next year.
Harborside Resort at Atlantis
Phone: (800) VISTANA
Web: www.vistana.com
The opening of the 235-room, $100 million Four Seasons Resort
Great Exuma at Emerald Bay is scheduled for late next year.Facilities will include a Greg Norman-designed, 18-hole golf
course; a full-service spa and fitness facility; a marina; a
casino, and meetings space.
Inn at Old Bahama, a 47-room boutique hotel, is set to open in
October at the Old Bahama Bay complex in West End, Grand Bahama
Island.A 75-slip marina as well as a complex of 67 private homes are
already open.
Construction of 125 additional slips, a yacht club, a restaurant
and lounge and 106 dockside villas is under way.
Old Bahama Bay
Phone: (800) 572-5711
The Lucayan, also on West End, will open 800 new rooms Dec. 1,
bringing its total room count to 1,350. More than $350 million has
been invested in the resort since its partial opening in 1999.The Manor House, also set to open in December, will serve as the
central check-in area.
A championship golf course, a spa and fitness center, meetings
space and a casino will follow.
The Lucayan
Phone: (800) 582-2926
CRS: All major systems
Pelican Bay at Lucaya, a boutique hotel on Grand Bahama Island,
completed the first phase of its expansion program with the
addition of a $1.5 million, 21-room wing, bringing the room count
total to 69.Pelican Bay at Lucaya
Phone: (800) 600-9192
The 58-room Ocean Club on Paradise Island opened 10 new suites
and 40 rooms on Sept. 1. The Dune restaurant was unveiled at the
same time.The additions were part of a $100 million renovation project set
for completion early next year.
Still to be added are an 18-hole golf course, slated to open in
December, and a full-service spa, opening next spring.
Ocean Club
Phone: (800) 321-3000
CRS: Rack rates only via all major systems
Resort & Casino at Bahamia is the first dual-branded
property in the Bahamas.The property includes the 965-room Tower (opened as a Crowne
Plaza); 100 time-share units at the Country Club (opened as a
Holiday Inn SunSpree); two 18-hole golf courses, and a casino.
A $42 million renovation program, which began this summer,
includes refurbishing the guest rooms and casino; upgrading golf
courses, and adding a spa and fitness center.
Resort & Casino at Bahamia
Phone: (800) 545-1300
The 340-room Sheraton Grand Resort Paradise Island reopened in
February after a multimillion-dollar renovation that covered the
guest rooms, dining facilities, meetings space and the pool and
beach.Sheraton Grand Resort Paradise Island
Phone: (800) 782-9488
CRS: All major systems
The 246-room Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, formerly the Fun Club
on Paradise Island, reopened in May following a $9 million
renovation.Improvements included upgraded soft goods and bathrooms, a
redone pool and hot tub, a second restaurant called Wahoo's Pool
Bar, lobby renovations and resurfaced tennis courts.
A children's program also was added.
Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
Phone: (800) 331-6471
CRS: All major systems