Travel Spotlight

First Look: Rosewood Baha Mar

The Bahamas is a place of endless possibilities. It’s no surprise the destination, a paradisiacal archipelago of 700 islands and thousands more cays, has earned the reputation of being a tropical playground. These possibilities were made even more endless in 2018 with the opening of Baha Mar. More than ten years in the making, the 1,000-acre, 4.2-billion-dollar development is the Bahamas’ shiny new Emerald City, which is a smaller, more refined version of the mega-resort Atlantis.

Here, every corner of the complex—from the candy-colored buildings to the crisp white cabanas to the stunning stretch of beach—sparkles with newness. There are three resorts on property, plus a Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course, water park, 40+ restaurants and lounges, and the largest casino in the Caribbean. But the real reason to stay here is the Rosewood Baha Mar, Baha Mar’s most luxurious property.

Rosewood's Pool

The Rosewood Hotel & Resorts collection is known for its exceptional sense of place, with resorts everywhere from Laos to Mexico embracing their surrounding cultures and landscapes in elegant, innovative ways. The Baha Mar location is no exception. Guests are welcomed by a bright, airy lobby with marble floors, cream-colored couches and glass-enclosed displays of shell sculptures. Nearby, an understated wall-to-wall mural depicts a palm tree-lined beach. In the guest rooms (of which there are 237), woven fabrics and wicker furniture are complemented by crisp white linens and minimalist furniture. And the pièce de résistance: each room at Rosewood Baha Mar has a view of the ocean (while those on lower floors see more of the resort).Related: 9 Untouched Places to See Right Now

An Ocean View King Room

Guests are pampered here in quiet seclusion from the rest of the complex, which is reachable by a two-minute walk along the beach. And while the resort-within-a-resort benefits from all the amenities at Baha Mar, Rosewood guests could easily while away several days within its confines. Days can be spent exploring the several pools, each surrounded by magenta flowers and peppered with overwater cabanas fit for royalty; or relaxing in the exquisitely designed library, where macaroons and Champagne are served.Related: Indagare’s Top 5 Honeymoons for 2018

The property offers three restaurants, though guests have the choice of dozens more in the greater Baha Mar complex. The principal eatery is Commonwealth, an all-day café with a private rum room that serves coastal cuisine with a British flare (think Beef Wellington with prosciutto). Manor Bar is a handsome space with dark wood furniture, vintage-inspired lighting fixtures and handcrafted cocktails. The experience not to miss, however, is a meal at Costa, a Latin American restaurant set in overwater villas with comfy cabana seating and an impressive menu of Bahamian and Mexican cocktails.

Costa

When not relaxing poolside or exploring Baha Mar's various attractions (like the casino, water parks, multiple pools and eateries), guests can decompress with spa treatments at the Rosewood’s signature spa. The cream-colored oasis offers therapies based on traditional and progressive healing rituals and a number of "sense journeys," which are curated spa sessions lasting up to five hours.

Who Should Stay: Families, couples and groups in search of a full-service resort experience with all amenities at their fingertips.