Graycliff Hotel

Located in Downtown Nassau, Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant is a beautiful and historic hotel. From it’s rich history to the amenities it offers to travelers today, it’s a must-visit destination in the Bahamas.

Travelers looking to be immersed in Nassau’s history and culture will want to stay at Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant. A 5-star property on the heart of the island, Graycliff Nassau Resort offers beautiful amenities, numerous tour options, and prime access to some of the best attractions in the area. 

Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant: The Historic Graycliff Hotel Nassau

The current Graycliff Nassau mansion has housed many famous individuals.

Graycliff Bahamas

The history of Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant goes back centuries – back when Nassau wasn’t a global tourist destination but rather a modest British colony.

Historians believe that a famous pirate named Captain John Howard Graysmith constructed the original mansion in 1740. That structure incorporated numerous others, including the destroyed ruins of a church.

A plaque elaborating on the history of the church.

In 1844, Graycliff Nassau became the first inn on the island, and in the 20th century, became a favorite among the world’s rich and famous. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII) and Sir Winston Churchill are some of the many notable figures who stayed at the resort during this time.

In 1973, new owners purchased the site and turned it into the elegant hotel it remains to this day. Today, Graycliff Hotel Nassau is a landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Rooms at Graycliff Nassau

Rates for the 20 unique rooms and suites at Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant start at $450 per night (as of 2024*). This gets you a Deluxe Room in the main building of the hotel.

Additional accommodation options include larger rooms near the pool, as well as spacious suites with dining and lounge areas. The most expensive suite costs $825 per night (as of 2024*). 

The bedrooms are Graycliff Bahamas are comfortable and traditional.

All of the units come with complimentary breakfast, a workspace, a bathtub and shower combination, and other comfort-related add-ons, like plush bathrobes. The rooms feature traditional color palettes and decorations that blend in well with the rest of the resort. 

Graycliff Nassau Resort

The Main Building

The main building of the hotel preserves its historic legacy.

Besides housing several of the guest rooms, the main building of Graycliff Bahamas also houses the famous hotel restaurant. 

Since the structure was a private residence during part of its history, touring the building makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the past. There are several separate dining rooms, sitting areas, and an outdoor garden area.

Throughout the main building are stunning paintings and an air of classical elegance not found at most other Nassau resorts. 

The Pool

The pool is in a lush oasis of greenery.

The Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant pool is in the middle of a lush oasis of greenery and tropical beauty. While the streets outside the hotel can get busy, the pool serves as a quiet retreat for guests looking to unwind. 

Graycliff Heritage Village

The exciting Graycliff Heritage Village is home to many tours and excursions.

Owned by Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant, Graycliff Heritage Village is a collection of shops, museums, and venues. Some of the highlights include:

• Wine, cheese, and food tastings
• Graycliff Cigar Company, which offers a cigar rolling demonstration paired with a rum sampling
• Graycliff Chocolatier, where guests can make chocolates and truffles while sampling them and sipping wine
• Bahama Barrels, the first winery in the Bahamas
• The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas, where guests can view an eclectic collection of local historical artifacts 

While these tours are open to the public, staying at Graycliff Bahamas makes it easy to make the most of the Graycliff Chocolatier and the other venues. 

Our Travel Guide Suggests… 

Graycliff Hotel Nassau features a couple of buildings – a main house and additional accommodations by the pool. Guests have reported loving the central location of the main house but commented that it can sometimes be a bit noisy in the evenings. On the other hand, guests have remarked on the tranquility of the units by the pool but said that the location is less convenient. 

Near the pool are additional accommodation options.

Understand the benefits that go along with each Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant room and choose the unit that works best for you. 

Getting to Graycliff Hotel Nassau

Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant is away from many of the other hotel clusters along Cable Beach and Paradise Island. It’s right in Downtown Nassau on the main island of New Providence. 

If you’re arriving in Nassau via Lynden Pindling International Airport, you can easily take a taxi to reach the hotel. The ride should take around 15 minutes, depending on traffic. 

Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant is a short ride from the airport and a short walk from the cruise terminal.

Day trippers looking to partake in some of the Graycliff Heritage Village attractions can walk from the Nassau Cruise Port Terminal, where you will also find a Graycliff Shop (within the Port Marketplace).  The walk from Cruise Port to the Graycliff Hotel should take just around ten minutes. 

Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant: The First 5-Star Hotel in the Caribbean 

Located in the heart of Nassau, Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant offers tours, excursions, and much more. While it’s not on the water, the insight it offers into the history and culture of the island more than makes up for that. 

Near Graycliff Hotel Nassau, travelers can find dozens of other attractions and sites worth seeing. Government House, the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, and John Watling’s Distillery are three of many nearby destinations. 

To learn more about the Bahamas and its incredible attractions, make sure to visit the rest of our site for travel guides and an interactive Nassau map.