The middle option (in terms of quality and price) of the three hotels of the sprawling Baha Mar resort complex in the Bahamas (opened 2017), the stylish SLS Baha Mar caters mostly to singles and couples with a hip party atmosphere and a plethora of amenities including excellent restaurants. The other two hotels in the complex are the more affordable and family-friendly Grand Hyatt Baha Mar (A1) and the more upscale and couples-friendly Rosewood Baha Mar (Aa1). The beach isn’t overly large and can feel a bit crowded (it’s still strong overall, with white sand and ideal water for swimming), room bathrooms lack privacy, and on-site water sports are unimpressive for a resort of this caliber (though next-generation motorized equipment such as Jetsurf boards and Seabobs are offered); but the massive Baha Mar complex boasts a Vegas-like opulence, the largest casino in the Caribbean (complete with 100,000 square feet of space plus unique floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views), 11 alluring swimming pools, an incredible 42 restaurants and lounges, an on-site nightclub, a rooftop lounge with a view, an art gallery with the largest collection of modern art in the Bahamas, 30 luxury retailers, an excellent tennis center (with clay, grass, and hard surface courts), an exceptional 30,000 square-foot spa with 24 treatment rooms by ESPA, nightly six-minute water and laser Fountain shows, and educational activities for kids including Bahamian basket weaving and learning about indigenous birds at the on-site aviary (and marine life such as turtles and sharks at The Sanctuary). The Royal Blue at Baha Mar is an outstanding 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus; players can choose from more than 100 sets of high-end clubs to rent. Rooms come with a modern style, step-out or full balconies, large flat-screen TVs, Ciel Reserve bath amenities, and mini-bars with SLS Signature items. Other activities include adults-only pool parties with live DJ sets, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, Hobie Cat sailing, and yoga and Pilates classes.
Everyone traveling to The Bahamas must obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test taken no more than five days prior to the date of arrival. The day the test is taken is considered Day Zero. Test must return a negative result for entry into The Bahamas. Children 10 and under are not required to take a test. Negative PCR test results must be uploaded in order to complete a Bahamas Health Visa application, and must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas.
Baha Mar’s Travel with Confidence Program pledges that should a resort guest test positive during their stay, Baha Mar will facilitate their quarantine with courtesy suite accommodations and a daily resort dining credit of $150 per person per day, for up to 14 days or until the guest receives a negative COVID-19 result. Should the guest choose to leave The Bahamas earlier, Baha Mar will provide private air travel to the US mainland for the guest and their immediate family, free of charge.