The Bahamas is an island nation with just over 700 islands in total, finding the best place to stay in Bahamas can be a tough choice! Around 9 of the major Islands – New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Long Island, Cat Island and Bimini – all have sprawling luxury resorts. But many of these islands also have small, boutique, family run accommodations – where you can feel the Authentic Small Island experience, that is unique to the Bahamas Out Islands (or Family islands as they are sometimes called).
Each island has its own little culture and attractions to visit. When planning your Bahamas vacation its always important to pick the best island to stay in Bahamas, first. And then find the best place to stay in Bahamas on that island.
From the Exuma’s famous Swimming Pigs, to the spectacular Pink Sands of Harbour Island, each Bahamian Island has its own menu of unique attractions and places to visit. Travel between islands within the Bahamas is somewhat limited – most scheduled flight service go through Nassau which requires connecting flights to reach other islands. Although Bahamas Air Tours offers a private Bahamas Air Charter service for island hopping. Therefore you don’t want to waste your precious vacation days travelling inter-island, it is best to pick one out island to spend your vacation on, or stay on New Providence and Nassau which give you the benefit of visiting Out Islands as Bahamas Day Trips.
Choosing the Best Place to Stay in Bahamas – Find the Best Island to Stay in Bahamas
1. Staniel Cay in Exumas
Frequently remarked as the Jewel in the Crown of the Bahamas Islands, Staniel Cay is the true tropical paradise that many of us dream of travelling to for our vacations. Without a doubt the best place to stay in Bahamas, if not the entire Caribbean!
Staniel Cay is one of 365 islands that make up the Exuma Cays archipelago – a spectacular chain of tropical islands just south of Nassau. Many wealthy and famous persons own private islands here, including Jonny Depp who purchased his island after filming Priates of The Caribbean on location in Exuma.
What makes Staniel Cay so popular, is it’s proximity to the Famous Bahamas Swimming Pigs on nearby Big Major Cay island. Often referred to as Pig Island or Pig Beach, Big Major Cay is a small uninhabited island that welcomes thousands of visitors from all corners of the globe to visit these unique Swimming Pigs.
Staniel Cay also has some nearby attractions that make this such an intriguing place to visit and the best place to stay in Bahamas! The James Bond Thunderball Grotto, is a cave that was used as the filming location for the James Bond 007 film Thunderball in 1965 starring Sean Connery. The Bahamas Underwater Plane Wreck is another interesting sight, as one of the most accessible plane wrecks in the Bahamas, it rests just off the western shoreline of Staniel Cay.
Visiting Staniel Cay on a Bahamas Day Trip with Bahamas Air Tours couldn’t be any more easier. Take one of their unique day excursions to Staniel Cay Exuma from Nassau or Miami.
Best Place to Stay in Exuma: Staniel Cay Water Villas
To visit Staniel Cay and have a vacation in the best place to stay in Bahamas – book your Bahamas Vacation at the Staniel Cay Water Villas.

Staniel Cay Water Villas – Best Place to Stay in Bahamas Exuma
A collection of 3 luxury villas, boasting 1,400 square foot of living space and each with 2 bedrooms. Impressively located on the edge of the Staniel Cay lagoon, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking these stunning turquoise waters. These spacious luxury villas have both ample indoor and outdoor space, with a private plunge pool on the expansive outdoor decking. Complimentary breakfast is served every morning, and there is a private chef service available.
Places to Stay in Exuma: Staniel Cay Yacht Club
Another popular best place to stay in Bahamas is the Staniel Cay Yacht Club. A boutique resort with 16 private waterfront villas, it is home to very popular Staniel Cay Yacht Club Restaurant and Bar. A focal point for the Staniel Cay community since 1965, the Yacht Club has a full service Marina and is a popular stop over for super yachts.

The Staniel Cay Yacht Club in Exuma
2. Harbour Island
Harbour Island is known as the Nantucket of the Caribbean. Blessed with its unique and beautiful Pink Sands on the famous Pink Sands Beach. British Loyalists settled here during the American revolution and gave birth to Dunmore Town, the main settlement on Harbour Island. It actually became the original capital of the Bahamas and named after Lord Dunmore. With it’s distinctive white picket fences and pastel colored buildings, this colonial style of architecture is very distinctive.
A great choice for a Bahamas Vacation, Harbour Island is one of the best place to stay in Bahamas. Well connected to the mainland, Eleuthera Island, where are there are many other places to visit like Governor’s Harbor. The easiest way to visit Harbour Island is to fly into nearby North Eleuthera airport. Book a Bahamas Air Charter flight to visit Harbour Island.

Harbour Island’s famous Pink Sands Beach
Places to Stay on Harbour Island, Eleuthera
Pink Sands Resort
Nestled away in 20-acres of Pink Sands beach front, their 29 luxurious cottages have been designed with the flavors and colors of the Bahamas. With characteristic British Colonial styles that are evinced across Dunmore Town. The Pink Sands Resort is the type of property that the rich and famous can find privacy and luxury, for the ultimate Bahamas vacation.
Coral Sands
Another property on Pink Sands Beach, this luxury resort has 38 rooms and an expansive beach front location with swimming pools and a beach front restaurant. A slightly more built up property than the Pink Sands Resort that stands opposite.
The Dunmore
The premier resort on Harbour Island, the Dunmore resort is a timeless classic and much loved Bahamian national treasure, having been established since the 1960’s. Set upon a 10-acre property of tropical gardens and direct beach access to the famous Pink Sands Resort.
3. New Providence – Is Nassau the Best Place to Stay in Bahamas?
As the main island in the Bahamas, New Providence is the primary gateway for international visitors entering the Bahamas at the Nassau International Airport. Far from the peace and tranquillity found in the Out Islands, like Staniel Cay or Harbour Island, this island has a resort and family feel. With a bustling cruise port, Nassau hosts hundreds of visitors from the Cruise ships on their Nassau Day excursions.
Nassau and New Providence is the place to come for the large resort experience.
The Bahamas Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island

The iconic Coral Towers of the Bahamas Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island
The coral colored twin towers of Atlantis resort are recognizable as a Bahamas landmark. Twinned with the Atlantis in Dubai, the Atlantis brand is now recognizable across the globe. Recognized as a family friendly resort vacation destination with activities for all ages. Their Aquaventure waterpark is the star of the show and day trippers will visit the resort just to experience their white sands, turquoise waters and exhilarating water park rides.
Baha Mar Resort

best place to stay in bahamas at Baha Mar resort on Nassau New Providence. Nassau is one of the best island to stay in Bahamas because Nassau has so many things to do, attractions and activities, with many easy connections to Miami, Europe, USA, Exuma.
Newly constructed in 2018, the Baha Mar resort has become a landmark destination on Cable Beach. One fo the newest best place to stay in Bahamas, the construction of this mega resort has taken many years but the payoff has certainly been worth it. With luscious green golf courses and white sand beaches, the Baha Mar is home to 3 separate hotel brands, all with unique culinary treats and bars.
Hilton Colonial

Best place to stay in Bahamas Downtown Nassau? The Colonial Hilton Nassau
The Hilton Colonial is the only beachfront property in Downtown Nassau. Ideally located in Nassau Old Town, all the cultural and tourist attractions are located within walking distance. A popular destination for Cruising day trippers, the beach provides a pay for beach day service.
Looking for the Best place to Stay in Bahamas?
Then look no further than the stunning Staniel Cay island in the Bahamas Exuma Cays! The true Bahamian island getaway.
The great thing about choosing the Bahamas as your vacation destination, is there really is something for everyone. Whether it’s finding that small island experience, or a family friendly resort, the assortment of properties and islands is so expansive, you are literally spoilt for choice.
Book now your Bahamas Vacation at the Staniel Cay Water Villas and contact us for all you vacation travel needs.
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