Prelude hotel

WORDS BY ORION RAY-JONES

First Resort
Nestled on the very western tip of Grand Bahama Island, the Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour reaches for new heights of luxury living.

After discovering Grand Bahama Island in 1492, Spanish explorers named it “Gran Bajamar,” or “Great Shallows.” And while the rest of the island chain adopted the second half of the name, it is this island alone that reserves the “great.” And what greater place from which to enjoy this magnificent island than from its premier resort, Old Bahama Bay?

Located 26 miles west of Freeport, just past the historic settlement of West End, (which until the 20th Century was the capital of this once sparsely-inhabited island), Old Bahama Bay is a resort that combines the lavishness of a five-star hotel with the laidback charm of the Bahamian lifestyle.

The resort’s isolation from the tourist-heavy areas of the island makes it an exclusive retreat, geared toward those who want to soak up the offerings of the island without the distractions of streets lined with bars and shops. So no wonder it is a favorite destination for film and music superstars.

Forty-nine amenity-filled beachfront guestrooms look out onto the white sands and the crystal-clear turquoise waters. Three restaurants, specializing in local cuisine, provide the perfect fuel for the day’s activities. And seven world-class snorkeling trails lie just a stone’s throw from the shore. Beyond the great diving (for which the resort provides snorkels, masks and fins), the resort provides a fantastic starting point for almost any Bahamian adventure imaginable—sailboats and bicycles allow guests to go exploring; tennis courts, volleyball nets, a two-level swimming pool and an extensive fitness room will keep any athlete happy; and lazy hammocks, in-room whirlpools and a comprehensive DVD library allow guests to just sit back and relax.
But what makes Old Bahama Bay a truly five-star experience is the personal care provided by the friendly staff, who will do almost anything to make sure guests fulfill their dreams of island paradise. From whisking visitors away on the resort’s speedboat to hidden diving and fishing spots, to booking horseback riding trips, to donning costumes and performing at evening concerts… staff members here are unfailingly helpful.

And the resort has only just begun. A $585 million expansion of the area will see the addition of an over-water spa with glass fl oors, an 18-hole putting course, two new parks and much more, making Old Bahama Bay Resort the ideal way to enjoy Grand Bahama Island in style. www.oldbahamabay.com