The turquoise water in photos of the Bahamas looks innocent enough, but the hotel bill at checkout can be a real surprise. Room rates in booking systems show only the base price, and on top of that you pay 10% value added tax (VAT) and further tourist levies at the hotel. Big resorts add a resort fee, a daily charge for using the resort’s facilities such as a water park, Wi-Fi or a shuttle, and at Atlantis you also pay a mandatory gratuity per person per day. When you know these amounts in advance, you can pick a place that genuinely fits your budget.
Bahamas holidays are most often planned on Paradise Island because of Atlantis, but you can stay more cheaply elsewhere on the island, for example in Downtown or on the quiet west side. The main Atlantis hotels consist of four towers (The Royal, The Coral, The Cove and The Reef). This guide shows you where to stay in Nassau and breaks down 18 hotels and resorts spread across five main areas. You’ll go through Paradise Island, the Cable Beach strip, historic Downtown, the quiet west of the island and the residential East Bay area.
A well-chosen base saves you time and taxi money. You’ll find sightseeing ideas in our article on what to see in Nassau. Some travellers want water slides right outside their window, others prefer a quiet beach across the road or their own kitchen with a shop around the corner.
TL;DR
- Best for families with kids and the water park: The Coral at Atlantis, which is the cheapest of the four Atlantis towers, or the more affordable Comfort Suites Paradise Island. Comfort Suites guests get free Aquaventure water park wristbands, but they are only valid from 3 pm on arrival day until 11 am on departure day.
- Best for seaside luxury: The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort right by the long beach on Cabbage Beach, or Rosewood Baha Mar in the complex on Cable Beach.
- Best for couples and all-inclusive: Sandals Bahamas Nassau, which is couples-only, or the budget-friendly Breezes Resort Bahamas All Inclusive.
- Best for a short stay and a walkable city: Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown/Junkanoo Beach directly across the street from Junkanoo Beach. If history appeals more, British Colonial Nassau delivers.
- Best for the lowest budget: Da Pink and White Palace, the cheapest of all 18 tips, a simple guesthouse with a shared kitchen.
- Best for peace and a beach opposite the hotel: Orange Hill Beach Inn Hotel, set in a quiet part of the west of the island just a few steps from the water.
- Best for a longer stay with a kitchen: Silk Cotton Villas, where you stay in apartments hidden in a tropical garden in the East Bay area.
The full destination guide: North America — guide and what to see
Which area to choose and where to stay
Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, lies on the northern coast of New Providence Island around the harbour. Paradise Island is a separate islet opposite the harbour, linked to New Providence by two bridges, and functions as a world of its own made up of big resorts. Each part of the island has a different atmosphere, different restaurant prices and different transport (local minibuses called jitneys).
Paradise Island: Atlantis, Cabbage Beach and families
The northern shore of the islet is lined with the long sandy Cabbage Beach, and this is where the Atlantis complex stands, with the Aquaventure water park, aquariums and a casino you can enter from age 18 (as a guide). It is the most expensive part of the island; taxi prices are covered in the section on getting from the airport and around the island. You can walk to the beach and around Atlantis, and a shuttle runs within the resort (covered by the resort fee). A water taxi sails to Downtown (roughly 7 USD, €6 per person).
Cable Beach and Baha Mar: couples, all-inclusive and luxury
West of the centre stretches the 4-5 km long Cable Beach with calm water and the Baha Mar complex, which brings together the Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood hotels, a casino and the Baha Bay water park. Baha Mar does not sell day passes to its beaches and pools for outside visitors; only entry to Baha Bay can be bought. Of the big resorts, this is closest to the airport (6-9 km as the crow flies). It is 6-7 km to the centre, which you can manage by taxi or jitney bus. A fourth Baha Mar resort is being built on the site of the former Melia hotel, scheduled to open in 2029, so there may be construction noise in the area.
Downtown and Junkanoo Beach: exploring the city on foot
From the centre you can walk to the harbour, to Bay Street, to the Queen’s Staircase, to Fish Fry on Arawak Cay with its row of local food stalls, and to Junkanoo Beach, which tends to be crowded on days when cruise ships dock. This is where you’ll find the cheapest hotels and guesthouses. Tourist areas are generally fine, but south of Shirley Street the Over-the-Hill district begins, which the US State Department lists as an area with gangs. After the shops close the centre also empties out, so take a taxi in the evening. You can reach Cable Beach by jitney bus for about 1.50 USD (€1.50), but it usually only runs until early evening.
West of the island: peace and snorkelling
In the west of the island (Sandyport, Love Beach, Gambier, Old Fort Bay, Lyford Cay) there are small boutique hotels and guesthouses, and at some of them, such as Orange Hill, a little-visited beach lies opposite. The airport is only 2-5 km away as the crow flies, but the centre is 10-18 km from here and there are very few restaurants nearby, so without a car you’ll be somewhat isolated. Jitney buses usually run along West Bay Street during the day; in the evening you’re left with a taxi or your own car.
East Bay and Montagu: a longer stay with a kitchen
East of the centre, opposite Paradise Island, the area around East Bay Street, Montagu and Harbour Bay offers apartments and villas set in gardens. There are few hotels here, but the area suits those who want their own kitchen plus a shop and restaurants within reach. In Harbour Bay you can shop at the Solomon’s Fresh Market supermarket, and the Wild Thyme and Latitudes restaurants operate nearby. East Bay Street itself is a busy road, though, and for a bigger beach you have to cross the bridge to Paradise Island. Cabbage Beach is about 1.7 km away as the crow flies.
💡 On this map you can compare what’s available right now — you’ll immediately see how much the price changes a few blocks further on.
What you’ll pay and what to watch out for
Before you click confirm on a booking, grab a calculator and add taxes, mandatory fees and gratuities to the base room rate, as the example below shows. The Bahamian dollar has a fixed 1:1 rate to the US dollar, and USD is commonly accepted here. Prices in this article are converted at roughly 1 USD = €0.90.
Taxes, resort fees and gratuities
Rates in hotel listings generally exclude taxes, tourist levies and the resort fee, and you pay these amounts only on site. Basic VAT is 10%, and further charges are added on top, so at Atlantis you pay 21% in taxes altogether. At the Goldwynn hotel on Cable Beach it’s 10% in fees plus 10% VAT, and at Margaritaville you’re charged 10% VAT, an 11% tourist levy and a 5% mandatory service charge.
On top of the taxes, add the daily resort fee per room per night, which is 77 USD (€70) in The Royal at Atlantis and The Coral towers and 82.50 USD (€75) in The Cove and The Reef, covering the Aquaventure water park, aquariums, Wi-Fi and shuttle. Margaritaville charges 74.80 USD (€67), including the Fins Up water park, and Goldwynn asks for 110 USD (€99) plus VAT.
Warwick Paradise Island used to charge 30 USD (€27) per person per night; for new bookings the fee is already included in the rate. Breezes charges neither a resort fee nor extra taxes when you book direct.
Atlantis also adds a mandatory gratuity per person over 12 per day, reaching up to 7 USD (€6) in The Royal at Atlantis and The Coral and up to 8 USD (€7) in The Cove and The Reef. In Atlantis restaurants, expect 15% gratuity plus 10% VAT added to the bill. Restaurant bills often already include a 15-18% service charge, so check your receipt and don’t tip twice. Taxi drivers are usually given around 15%.
A real-world example
Take a room at The Royal at Atlantis that costs 400 USD (€355) per night. When you add 21% in taxes (84 USD), the daily resort fee of 77 USD, and mandatory gratuities for two adults at 2 x 7 USD, you end up paying around 575 USD (€510) for a single night. Compared to the original room rate, you’ll pay roughly 175 USD (€155) more on-site.
When it’s expensive and when it’s cheap
The official hurricane season in this region runs from June 1 to November 30, with its peak falling between August and October. You’ll find the lowest rates at most major resorts in September, while February tends to be the most expensive – and the price difference between these months can more than double at some luxury hotels. In September, however, you’ll need to accept that some restaurants and attractions close for maintenance. For example, at Atlantis, some dining venues and water slides are typically out of service.
It gets busy around the Junkanoo carnival parades (December 26 and January 1) and during American spring break in March, so check prices carefully for these dates. While hurricane Melissa bypassed Nassau in October 2025, if you’re travelling in summer or autumn, always book rooms with free cancellation and make sure you have travel insurance.
From the airport and around the island
Taxis from the airport operate on fixed zone-based prices, which always apply to two people. A ride to Cable Beach costs 29 USD (€26), to Downtown 36 USD (€32), and to Paradise Island you’ll pay 45 USD (€40) plus a 2 USD bridge toll. The driver charges 5 USD (€4.50) for each additional passenger and 2.20 USD (€2) for the third and each additional piece of luggage.
Keep cash on hand – not every taxi accepts cards. You’ll also need cash for jitney buses. Jitneys usually don’t run from the airport or to Paradise Island, so expect to take a taxi.
Entry to the Bahamas
International visitors can travel to the Bahamas visa-free for up to 3 months, requiring only a return ticket and a passport valid for at least 6 months from the planned departure date. If you’re flying to the Caribbean via the United States, remember to arrange your ESTA registration in advance (electronic travel authorization required for transit through the US).
Public beaches
It’s useful to know that all beaches in the Bahamas are public by law in the strip from the water up to the high-tide line. The resort properties themselves above this line are private, however, so beach loungers and hotel pools may only be used by guests or day-pass visitors.
18 best hotels and resorts in Nassau
This accommodation overview proceeds area by area, making it easy to compare neighbouring properties: we start in Downtown (hotels 1-5), continue to Paradise Island (6-11) and Cable Beach (12-16), and finish on the west of the island (17) and in East Bay (18). For most places you’ll find approximate nightly rates for two without taxes and fees, or including food and drink at all-inclusive resorts. Prices and operations change throughout the year. You’ll find an overview of mandatory fees and gratuities in the Taxes, resort fees and gratuities section above.
1. British Colonial Nassau
British Colonial Nassau is a hotel with more than a century of history that reopened in December 2023 after a renovation costing around 50 million dollars. It sits at One Bay St right by Rawson Square, the main square in the centre, and the harbour. It offers clean rooms, three restaurants, a gym, and the only private beach right in the centre where you won’t be approached by vendors. From the grounds and some rooms you’ll see cruise ships arriving.
It’s also suitable for solo travellers: the reception is helpful and you’re a stone’s throw from the centre. You’ll pay from around €185 per night for two, without taxes and fees. The hotel sells day passes to cruise ship passengers, so the pool gets busier on port days. A deposit equal to one night is blocked on your card at check-in.
💡 Tip: Nearby you’ll find vegetarian food at the Greek Athena Cafe (about 400 m from the hotel) and at Krafted at The Stubbs (about 300 m).
2. Graycliff Hotel
Graycliff Hotel tempts you with an atmosphere from another era, Victorian-style rooms including the Lord Dunmore suite, and outdoor pools. You’ll find it at 8 W Hill St on the hill above Bay Street behind the Government House building, about 500 m from Rawson Square and the harbour. According to hotel tradition, the estate was built in 1740 by Captain John Howard Graysmith, a reputed pirate. Right on the property you’ll find a wine cellar, the Graycliff Cigar Company factory, and the Graycliff Chocolatier chocolate shop.
If you’re travelling as a couple or love gastronomy and history, you’ll enjoy the on-site restaurant and wine cellar tour. Prices start at around €355 per night for two, without taxes and fees. The restaurant typically adds 10% VAT and an 18% service charge.
💡 Tip: For meat-free food you can easily walk to the Indian restaurant Taj Mahal or the Greek Athena Cafe, both about 450 m from the hotel.
3. Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau
Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau combines modern rooms, residences with kitchenettes, and the Fins Up water park at Junkanoo Beach. The resort opened in 2021 at 2 Bay St, about 700 m from Rawson Square, and has an adults-only infinity pool with views of departing ships. A night for two runs from around €185 without taxes and fees.
If you’re looking for a water park for kids cheaper than Atlantis while still wanting the centre within walking distance, you’ll be happy here. The resort fee is 74.80 USD (€67) per night, plus 10% VAT, an 11% fee, and a 5% service charge. The property sells day passes to cruise ship passengers.
💡 Tip: For vegetarian food you can head to the Greek Athena Cafe (about 600 m from the resort).
4. Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown/Junkanoo Beach
Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown/Junkanoo Beach represents the most budget-friendly chain hotel in this selection. It sits on W Bay St across the street from Junkanoo Beach. You’ll reach the centre in about 5-7 minutes. Though it’s an older building, you’ll find clean rooms, comfortable beds, security, and helpful staff.
If you’re travelling on a smaller budget, planning a short stay, or need a base for your first night after arrival, you won’t go wrong here. There are two pools (one for adults and one for children), a gym, and breakfast served buffet-style or from a menu. You’ll pay from around €125 per night for two without taxes and fees.
💡 Tip: About seven minutes’ walk away is Arawak Cay with Fish Fry stalls offering the local specialty conch salad (sea snail salad), and about 760 m from the hotel you’ll find the vegan restaurant RASTA Green n Tings.
5. Da Pink and White Palace
Da Pink and White Palace is a small guesthouse with simple but clean rooms. It’s located at 11B Dean’s Lane near Fort Charlotte, about 1.2 km from Rawson Square, from where it’s a short walk to Junkanoo Beach and another five minutes to the centre. The guesthouse has around eight air-conditioned rooms with shared bathroom, kitchen, and living space. Entry is monitored by cameras with a code lock, and the owners rent out pink scooters and UTV all-terrain vehicles.
As the most affordable accommodation in this selection of 18, the guesthouse appeals to solo travellers and couples on a tight budget: if you want to save money and appreciate free pick-up from the beach, you’re in the right place. A night for two runs from around €95 without taxes and fees. An alternative is Simply Native B and B in the Downtown area, priced from around €95.
💡 Tip: The vegan restaurant RASTA Green n Tings is about 450 m from the guesthouse.
6. The Royal at Atlantis
The Royal at Atlantis forms the main hotel building of the entire complex on Paradise Island, right next to the casino, aquariums, and Aquaventure water park. At One Casino Drive, about 300 m from the centre of the resort, you’ll find interiors reminiscent of a palace, two-room suites, and rooms with access to the Imperial Club (a club for higher-category rooms). You can use the lazy river and 11 outdoor pools. Guests staying at Atlantis have Aquaventure included in their resort fee.
If you’re heading to the Bahamas for the first time or travelling with children, you’ll be right in the centre of the action here. Prices start at around €355 per night for two, before taxes and fees. On top of the room rate, you’ll pay taxes (see the Taxes, resort fees and gratuities section), a resort fee of $77 USD (€68) per night, and gratuities of up to $7 USD (€6) per person per day, or $14 USD (€12) for suites. In 2026, the resort is undergoing renovations, so check which sections are open before booking.
💡 Tip: In the resort you’ll find the Poseidon’s Table buffet (about 90 m from the hotel) and the Italian restaurant Paranza with vegetarian options (about 280 m).
7. The Coral at Atlantis
The Coral at Atlantis offers the lowest rates among the four accommodation towers in the entire Atlantis complex. It’s located at One Casino Drive, about 200 m from the centre of the complex and 1.3 km as the crow flies from Cabbage Beach. This is the family section of Atlantis, right next to Marina Village, where you’ll find more affordable restaurants. The front desk staff are helpful.
If you want to use the Aquaventure water park with children at the best value within the resort, choose this tower. A night for two costs from around €300 before taxes and fees. On top of that, you’ll pay taxes (see the Taxes, resort fees and gratuities section), a resort fee of $77 USD (€68) per night, and gratuities of up to $7 USD (€6) per person per day. Construction work is ongoing in the resort.
💡 Tip: For more budget-friendly food, head to neighbouring Marina Village, where you’ll find Murray’s Deli and Claudio’s (both about 80 m from the hotel).
8. The Cove at Atlantis
The Cove at Atlantis is the more luxurious part of the complex with a lobby, stream and ponds, and suites with ocean views. You’ll find it at One Casino Drive, about 700 m from the centre of Atlantis and 2 km as the crow flies from Cabbage Beach. Cove Pool is a pool exclusively for guests staying at The Cove or The Reef who are 18 years or older. There’s also a quieter beach and access to the water park, with a night for two costing from around €835 before taxes and fees.
If you’re looking for peace and quiet as a couple or travelling with teenagers and want higher comfort, you can relax here away from the main hustle and bustle. On top of the room rate, you’ll pay taxes (see the Taxes, resort fees and gratuities section), a resort fee of $82.50 USD (€73), and gratuities of up to $8 USD (€7) per person per day. Renovations are taking place in 2026, so expect limited operations. An alternative is The Reef at Atlantis, apartments with kitchenettes and access to Cove Pool.
💡 Tip: Near the hotel you’ll find the Italian restaurant Paranza (about 120 m) with vegetarian options.
9. The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas
The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas has been under the Four Seasons brand since 2017 and is surrounded by gardens, sports facilities, and three pools. It’s located at One Ocean Drive on Cabbage Beach, about 1 km as the crow flies from Atlantis and about 500 m from the centre of the beach. There’s a private section of beach with sun loungers for guests, and rooms, some of which have their own small plunge pool. Renovated rooms in the Hartford Wing are scheduled to be completed by October 2026.
If you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary celebration, or quiet family holiday, you’ll find privacy and elegance here. The peaceful nature of the stay is enhanced by attentive staff and good food. Prices start at around €1,255 per night for two before taxes and fees, and mandatory hotel charges may not be included in the room rate. An alternative is Paradise Island Beach Club (Bahamas Ocean Villas) with beachfront villas, two pools, and a bar right in the water.
💡 Tip: Vegetarian food can be found at the Indian Cabbage Beach Bistro & Marketplace (about 420 m from the resort).
10. Comfort Suites Paradise Island
Comfort Suites Paradise Island combines comfortable rooms with complimentary access to the Aquaventure water park and other parts of Atlantis. You’ll find it on Paradise Island Drive, about 400 m from Atlantis and approximately 1.1 km as the crow flies from Cabbage Beach. The hotel with 223 junior suites includes an American buffet breakfast in the rate and has a pool open 24 hours a day.
Wristbands are only valid from 3:00 pm on the day of arrival until 11:00 am on the day of departure, and you pick them up with your ID at the towel stands in Atlantis (verify access conditions when booking). Access does not apply to one-night reservations made on the day of arrival and is valid for up to 4 people per room. Upon arrival, expect a deposit of $50 USD (€44) per person in cash or a hold of $100 USD (€89) per day on a card. A night for two costs from around €215 before taxes and fees. An alternative is Sunrise Beach Club, which has apartments with kitchens and the Viola’s restaurant. Check directly with the property for pricing.
💡 Tip: In Marina Village you’ll find Murray’s Deli (about 340 m) and Claudio’s (about 390 m).
11. Warwick Paradise Island – Bahamas
Warwick Paradise Island – Bahamas offers carefree relaxation on the harbour shore on Harbour Dr, approximately 1.2 km as the crow flies from Cabbage Beach. This is an all-inclusive resort without children, entry from age 16 (from February 15 to April 15 from age 21), and only those 18 or older may book. Food, drinks, and activities are included in the rate. A shuttle takes you to Cabbage Beach every 30 minutes.
The resort fee of $30 USD (€27) per person per night is already included in the rate for new bookings. A night for two including food and drinks costs from around €230. An all-inclusive alternative right by the ocean is Hotel Riu Palace Paradise Island on Cabbage Beach (about 1.0 km from the centre of the beach).
💡 Tip: Over the bridge to East Bay, you can easily walk to the restaurants Latitudes (about 600 m) and Wild Thyme (about 800 m).
12. Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is located in the Baha Mar complex on Cable Beach, approximately 1.7 km as the crow flies from the centre of the beach and 7 km from the airport. The complex opened in 2017 and includes a casino, golf, and the Baha Bay water park. Higher-category Grand Hyatt Reserve rooms offer views. The resort does not sell day passes to the beaches and pools, so sun loungers and pools are used only by guests.
Prices start at around €300 per night for two before taxes and fees. The resort fee includes Baha Bay water park and is approximately $74-86 USD (€66-76) plus a service fee (an additional hotel service charge) of $21-28 USD (€18-25) per night; verify the exact amount before booking. An alternative is Goldwynn Resort & Residences on Cable Beach. It opened in February 2023 and has kitchenettes, an infinity pool, and the OIA restaurant.
💡 Tip: For food right in the complex, try Pizza Lab (about 40 m) and Cleo Mediterraneo (about 160 m).
13. SLS Baha Mar
SLS Baha Mar brings a design aesthetic and livelier atmosphere to the Cable Beach complex. It’s located at 1 Baha Mar Blvd, approximately 1.6 km as the crow flies from the centre of the beach. You can expect clean rooms, helpful concierge service, and attentive service at the Monkey Bar. Your stay includes access to Baha Bay water park. If you’re looking for a livelier atmosphere by two pools or dinner at Carna restaurant, you’ll be satisfied here.
A night for two costs from around €345, before taxes and fees. The resort fee is approximately $105 USD (€93) per night and typically includes the service fee as well; the hotel will confirm the amount when booking.
💡 Tip: In the complex you can try Mediterranean cuisine at Cleo Mediterraneo (about 130 m).
14. Rosewood Baha Mar
Rosewood Baha Mar is boutique luxury within the Baha Mar complex on Cable Beach. It sits at One Baha Mar Blvd, roughly 1.8 km as the crow flies from the centre of the beach. Thoughtful design, high ceilings, spacious rooms and evening turndown service create a serene environment. Staff are one of the main strengths here. For a honeymoon or anniversary you’ll get privacy, a spa and the Café Boulud restaurant.
A private beach section with sunbeds for guests contributes to a more peaceful stay. A night for two runs from around €950 excluding taxes and fees.
💡 Tip: For a casual lunch or dinner, nearby Pizza Lab (about 80 m) or Leola restaurant (about 180 m) will do nicely.
15. Breezes Resort Bahamas All Inclusive
Breezes Resort Bahamas All Inclusive offers a worry-free holiday right on the sandy shores of Cable Beach. You’ll find the property at 1 Breezes Lane, roughly 2.1 km as the crow flies from the centre of the beach. Five restaurants and four bars are all included, along with three pools and a spa. You can spend your days by the water or on the beach.
It’s suitable for couples, friends and newlyweds. With a direct booking you pay no resort fee or additional taxes, so you pay exactly the amount you see when ordering. Minimum age and check-in age are confirmed at booking. A night for two including food and drinks costs from around €275.
💡 Tip: You can walk to the neighbouring Baha Mar resort in a few minutes, where Pizza Lab (about 350 m) and Cleo Mediterraneo (about 470 m) operate.
16. Sandals Bahamas Nassau
Sandals Bahamas Nassau is designed exclusively for couples and reopened on 28 January 2022 after an extensive USD 55 million renovation (roughly €50 million). It’s located on W Bay St on Cable Beach, about 200 m as the crow flies from the centre of the beach and 6.4 km from the airport. There’s a beach with a chapel and massages on a private island. You can also choose from swim-up suites with direct pool access or higher categories with personal butler service.
The resort has ten restaurants, eight bars and seven pools, and is ideal for honeymoons and anniversaries. Current prices are available directly through Sandals.
💡 Tip: Near the resort you’ll find Asian restaurant Social House (about 300 m) and healthy eating spot NRG Cable Beach (about 310 m).
17. Orange Hill Beach Inn Hotel
Orange Hill Beach Inn Hotel is a family-run guesthouse opposite a secluded beach near Love Beach. You’ll find it on West Bay St, roughly 2.0 km as the crow flies from the airport and 4.8 km from Cable Beach. You can choose from studios with kitchenettes, apartments or a cottage with sea views. There’s a pool, an honour bar (where you record your own drinks) and a restaurant where you’ll get rum punch.
It’s suitable if you’re on a tighter budget or looking for a quiet place for the night before your flight. There’s also a safe for a fee, and in 2026 gradual renovation of the poolside rooms is underway. Prices start at around €140 per night for two excluding taxes and fees. Alternatives include A Stone’s Throw Away (colonial boutique with terrace and sea view) or Bell Town Houses (apartments about 1 km from the airport, from €135, for the night before departure).
💡 Tip: For dinner try Italian La Caverna (about 560 m) or Indian restaurant Cafe Bombay (about 1.7 km).
18. Silk Cotton Villas
Silk Cotton Villas are villas and apartments in a tropical garden in the East Bay area. The property sits at 1 London Terrace, about 3.2 km as the crow flies from Rawson Square, 1.7 km from Cabbage Beach and 1.9 km from Atlantis. Inside you’ll find a renovated villa, studios and spacious apartments with private kitchens and large bathrooms. If you don’t want a conventional hotel, look here: the whole place is built around the garden and peace.
For a longer stay you’ll appreciate the independent facilities and the quiet greenery. Bookings are made mainly through Airbnb. A night for two costs from around €255 excluding taxes and fees.
💡 Tip: From here you can get to Cabbage Beach via the bridge, buy groceries at Solomon’s Fresh Market (about 450 m) and eat at Wild Thyme (about 480 m) or Latitudes (about 590 m).
How to choose the right hotel and what to watch out for
The choice depends on what kind of stay you’re looking for.
By type of trip
- First time, with children and for the water park: Paradise Island, The Coral at Atlantis with the lowest price of the Atlantis towers or Comfort Suites Paradise Island with wristband access to Aquaventure.
- Couples and all-inclusive: Cable Beach, the Sandals Bahamas Nassau resort for couples only or Breezes Resort Bahamas All Inclusive. On Paradise Island choose Warwick Paradise Island – Bahamas (adults-only resort, entry from age 16).
- Luxury: The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas and Rosewood Baha Mar.
- Short stay, budget, exploring the city on foot: Downtown, Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown/Junkanoo Beach, British Colonial Nassau or Da Pink and White Palace.
- Peace, snorkelling, with a car or for a night near the airport: Orange Hill Beach Inn Hotel.
- Longer stay with a kitchen: Silk Cotton Villas or Paradise Island apartments like Sunrise Beach Club and Paradise Island Beach Club (alternative in the tip).
Renamings and hotels that no longer exist
The Melia Nassau Beach hotel on Cable Beach was closed and demolished. In its place Baha Mar is building a new resort with a planned opening in 2029. Some travel agencies still offer the Melia hotel, so be careful when choosing a package.
When searching you’ll come across several renamed properties and similar addresses:
- Sandals Royal Bahamian now goes by the name Sandals Bahamas Nassau.
- British Colonial Hilton is now called British Colonial Nassau (operating without the Hilton brand since 2022, reopened December 2023).
- One&Only Ocean Club has been called The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort since 2017.
- The four Atlantis towers (The Royal, The Coral, The Cove, The Reef) share the same address at One Casino Drive; choose by tower name.
- Baha Mar is the name of the entire complex; Grand Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood are separate hotels.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a non-accommodation club for Royal Caribbean passengers, opened 23 December 2025 on the western tip of Paradise Island, so the island is busier on port days.
Safety
The US State Department has level two advisory for the Bahamas out of four, meaning exercise increased caution due to armed robberies and burglaries, and specifically warns about the Over-the-Hill neighbourhood south of Shirley Street due to gang activity. The UK Foreign Office advises travelling in groups after dark, being cautious with night jitneys and avoiding unregistered water sports operators. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued no warning. Tourist areas like Paradise Island, Cable Beach or Bay Street are generally fine during the day. In the evening take a taxi instead and don’t rent jet skis from street vendors.
Vegetarian food near hotels
Bahamian cuisine is built on seafood and the local speciality is conch salad (sea snail salad). Purely vegan establishments are rare, but many hotel restaurants do have vegetarian options. Downtown you’ll find vegan restaurant RASTA Green n Tings, Indian Taj Mahal, Greek Athena Cafe and Krafted at The Stubbs.
On Paradise Island there’s Italian Paranza at Atlantis with vegetarian options; more affordable are Murray’s Deli and Claudio’s at Marina Village, and near Ocean Club there’s Indian Cabbage Beach Bistro & Marketplace. On Cable Beach try Pizza Lab, Leola, Mediterranean Cleo Mediterraneo and healthy food at NRG Cable Beach. On East Bay there are Wild Thyme and Latitudes restaurants, and for self-catering there’s Solomon’s Fresh Market supermarket. On the west of the island you’ll find La Caverna and Cafe Bombay.
Where next
If you’re planning a more detailed itinerary or further Caribbean stops, continue with these articles:
- What to see in Nassau will introduce you to historic sights, beaches and practical tips for days outside the hotel.
- Where to stay in Montego Bay offers an overview of 18 hotels and resorts in Jamaica, if you’re adding Jamaica to the Bahamas.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay in Nassau for the first time?
With kids and for the water park, choose Paradise Island and the Atlantis complex, or the cheaper Comfort Suites with wristbands to Aquaventure. Couples will head more towards Cable Beach to the Baha Mar, Sandals or Breezes resorts. For a few days on a smaller budget, stay in Downtown near Junkanoo Beach, from where you can easily walk to the city center and to Fish Fry.
How much are hotel taxes and fees in the Bahamas?
10% VAT and tourist fees are added to the room rate, which at Atlantis totals 21%. Large resorts charge an additional resort fee: Atlantis $77-82.50 (€70-75) per night, Margaritaville $74.80 (€65) and Goldwynn $110 (€100) plus VAT. Atlantis also charges mandatory gratuities per person per day.
Do I have to stay at Atlantis to get into Aquaventure?
No, you don’t. Guests staying at Atlantis have Aquaventure included in the resort fee. Guests at Comfort Suites Paradise Island get wristbands for free, but only from 3:00 PM on arrival day until 11:00 AM on departure day (check the conditions when booking). Everyone else buys a day pass. The price varies depending on the date selected and the total number of tickets is usually limited, so don’t delay your purchase.
Is all-inclusive in Nassau worth it?
Food in hotel restaurants is expensive and bills often include a 15-18% service charge, so all-inclusive often pays off. Breezes on Cable Beach doesn’t charge resort fees or extra taxes when booking directly. Warwick on Paradise Island accepts guests aged 16 and over, while Sandals on Cable Beach serves couples only.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
Taxis have fixed zone rates for two people: Cable Beach $29 (€25), Downtown $36 (€30) and Paradise Island $45 (€40) plus $2 bridge toll. Each additional person pays $5 (€5). Jitney buses don’t usually run from the airport or to Paradise Island.
When is accommodation cheapest?
At most large resorts you’ll find the cheapest accommodation in September, during hurricane season. The most expensive is usually February. In September, however, some restaurants and attractions close for maintenance, so consider whether the lower price is worth these limitations. Book rooms with free cancellation.
Is Nassau safe?
The United States has a level-two advisory for the Bahamas, meaning increased caution due to robberies, and specifically warns about the Over-the-Hill neighborhood south of Shirley Street due to gang activity. Tourist areas are generally safe during the day. After dark, take taxis instead and never rent jet skis from street vendors.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (simple monthly subscription) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
