The Graycliff Chocolatier is a fun and interactive space in Nassau, Bahamas. It allows travelers to participate in hands-on activities while sampling plenty of tasty treats.
The Graycliff Bahamas Heritage Village has all sorts of exciting attractions. That said, you’ll especially want to make time for the Graycliff Chocolatier and the cigar factory. As both destinations feature exciting hands-on lessons, you can learn, have fun, and take home plenty of souvenirs.
The Graycliff Chocolatier is one of several venues operated by the Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant in the Graycliff Heritage Village. A luxury hotel situated directly in Downtown Nassau, Graycliff Nassau has existed in one form or another for centuries.
Graycliff Bahamas history stretches back hundreds of years.
History holds that a pirate captain built the hotel in 1740. During that time, Nassau was a haven for pirates, with some captains forming entire “republics.” Outside Graycliff, pirates used various parts of the island to store their plundered treasure.
In 1844, Graycliff became the first inn on the island before transforming into a mess hall and private residence in the 20th Century. Finally, in 1973, it formally became the upscale hotel recognized by people across the world today.
Throughout its lengthy history, the Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant has accommodated many noteworthy individuals, including Sir Winston Churchill and different members of the British Royal Family.
At Graycliff Nassau, you can make your own chocolate (while enjoying plenty of samples).
One of the best things to do at the Graycliff Chocolatier is participate in a chocolate tour. Doing so lets you go behind the scenes and learn about chocolate production – its history and how it works.
You’ll be able to choose between white, milk, and dark chocolate before getting to add flavors like coconut or cranberries. You’ll finish the tour with a delicious chocolate bar.
The cigar factory is another fun place to visit. While cigar smokers will naturally find it especially interesting, non-smokers will enjoy participating in a tour as well.
The Graycliff Cigar Company shows off the work that goes into cigar rolling.
At the factory, you’ll learn about the history of cigar production before trying your hand at rolling them yourself. Like chocolate, cigars are a product that many people consume but don’t know much about. Signing up for a tour at the Graycliff Bahamas cigar factory will change that.
Whether you sign up for demonstrative tours or not, you’ll want to check out the gift shops before leaving the Graycliff Chocolatier area. Boxes of chocolate and expertly-rolled cigars make excellent gifts for friends and family back home, so make sure to take some with you before leaving.
The Graycliff Chocolatier gift shop is the place to buy all of the best sweet treats.
Near the shops and venues is an outdoor lounge area, perfect for sampling the chocolates and cigars you picked up.
The area encompassing the Graycliff Chocolatier is easy to visit since it’s in Downtown Nassau. Its location, therefore, makes it a fantastic spot to visit for day-trippers and tourists staying on the island alike.
Cruise ship passengers stopping in Nassau can expect around a ten-minute walk to the village from the cruise ship terminal. Taxis are available as well, and while they can offer respite from the afternoon sun, they probably won’t get you there much faster with traffic.
Graycliff’s location makes it easy to participate in a cigar or chocolate tour.
However, if you’re staying at a hotel on Paradise Island or New Providence, taxiing will be the most straightforward way to reach the Graycliff Chocolatier and cigar factory. Consider doing a walking tour around Old Town after you finish seeing the different Graycliff Nassau attractions.
The Graycliff Chocolatier is open Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.
The Graycliff restaurant is open to the public for lunch and dinner, but you won’t be allowed to enter many other areas of the hotel itself. Luckily, the venues in the Graycliff Nassau Heritage Village are where the real fun is.
From the Graycliff Chocolatier and the cigar factory to the winery and the historical museum, you can easily spend a few hours making your way from place to place.
While you can just buy pre-made chocolate from the gift shop, you won’t want to miss out on participating in a tour at the Graycliff Chocolatier. Doing so lets you learn a lot about chocolate production, as well as craft your own combination of flavors. Plus, nothing beats the satisfaction of eating something delicious that you made!
Buy boxes of chocolate to bring home, but participate in a chocolate tour too.
The Graycliff Chocolatier and cigar factory are two of the many attractions at Graycliff Bahamas. With fun and informative tours and plenty of souvenirs to bring back home, no Nassau trip is complete without a visit to the Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant area.
Before leaving Graycliff Nassau, make sure to check out other highlights, like the Heritage Museum of the Bahamas and Bahama Barrels. Other nearby downtown attractions you’ll want to visit include Queen’s Staircase, Fort Fincastle, and the Government House.
Interested in reading more guides to the many Nassau attractions? Browse through our other travel posts, and make sure to check out our Nassau interactive map.
Explore our Nassau Travel Guides
Take a day trip from Nassau to Staniel Cay in the Exumas and visit the famous Swimming Pigs, Sharks, Iguanas, Sand Bars and Thunderball Grotto.