What's New

Big changes may be in store for The Bahamas sometime off in the future, but don't expect them to be implemented on any pre-announced schedule during these tough economic times. Life in the islands simply operates on its own time.

Many who earn their livelihood in the tourism industry are suffering a fall-off in business, as economic woes and the cost of energy plague would-be visitors from the United States.

Even before the recession in the U.S., The Bahamas had reported very little growth. If business falls off drastically in the islands during the upcoming winter season, keep on the lookout for bargain deals. After all, those hotel rooms still have to be filled.

For years, Bermuda was the site of a major spring break for college students, beginning sometimes as early as February and lasting through March and into early April. However, after many hectic years, locals there tired of this avalanche -- and The Bahamas moved in quickly to pick up the slack.

In 2009, spring break in The Bahamas was so successful that tourism officials are now busily preparing for another onslaught in the spring of 2010. The archipelago nation is planning to promote its beaches, its shopping bargains, and its nightlife once again. Official publications are even hawking killer cocktails.

In developments at sea, the waters of The Bahamas are threatened by a maroon-striped marauder with venomous spikes that is rapidly multiplying, stinging divers and swallowing native species. The delicate ecology of Bahamian waters is threatened by this invader. Research teams observed one of these reddish lionfish eating 20 small fish in less than half an hour. Originally native to the Indian and Pacific oceans, the lionfish may have escaped from a Florida fish tank. Once they reached the warm waters of The Bahamas, they bred rapidly. Some places between New Providence and the Berry Islands report a tenfold increase in the lionfish population since 2007.

New Providence (Nassau/Cable Beach)

The biggest resort news coming out of The Bahamas is the projected debut in 2010 of the Ritz-Carlton Rose Island, lying just 6.4km (4 miles) east of the center of Nassau. In addition to a deluxe hotel, the development will include a marina for yachts, estate homes, condominiums, and several dining and shopping opportunites. The hotel site is on the westernmost side of the island, with a beach that faces north. All guest rooms will feature large balconies with ocean views, and facilities will include a lavish swimming pool and spa. The Rose Island development is part of an overall Ritz-Carlton aim to increase its hotel presence in the Caribbean, including such islands as St. Thomas, St. Lucia, the Dominican Republic, and Turks and Caicos.

On Cable Beach, the investment group Baha Mar Resorts continues with its ambitious plans to develop a mega-resort on this strip of beach. Executives are meeting with Chinese officials to involve them -- or at least their money -- in the vast project. Apparently, Baha Mar needs massive financing for such an enormous undertaking. It's been revealed that talks are under way with China Exim Bank and China State Construction, the firm that built the cubes for the Beijing Olympics. One Baha Mar executive said the Chinese company "would be a natural to build the mega-resort. The Chinese have recognized that the current slowdown provides us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build this project at a greatly reduced cost and be ready to open when the recession ends and the world economy recovers."

Out on the western end of New Providence Island, Goodfellow Farms (tel. 242/377-5001; www.goodfellowfarms.com) has launched an open-air restaurant. Much of the fresh produce served here comes from the farm's own vegetable gardens, which also supply many Nassau restaurants. The big event of the week is a Friday dinner buffet of Bahamian specialties. Fresh seafood and organic chicken are just some of the treats served here all week long.

Paradise Island

At Hurricane Hole Marina, the Green Parrot (tel. 242/322-9248; www.greenparrotbar.com) has opened, serving American cuisine at tables fronting a panoramic view of the Nassau Harbour. Burgers and well-stuffed sandwiches rule the day around noon, but at night more elaborate fare is offered, everything from the grilled catch of the day to succulent New York steak.

Grand Bahama (Freeport/Lucaya)

Near the center of Freeport, Dundee Bay Villas (tel. 800/823-8220; www.dundeebayvillas.com) rents 10 affordable studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The larger units come with a fully equipped kitchen. Extra perks include an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi in the lobby.

In another development, Club Nautica Resort & Marina (tel. 242/373-1724; www.clubnauticabahamas.com) is operating in the heart of Port Lucaya, offering a series of tropically furnished waterfront villas that are within walking distance of good beaches. All accommodations feature full kitchens plus whirlpool tubs in the master suites.

On the dining scene, Ruby Swiss European Restaurant (tel. 242/352-8507) has bounced back, serving what's arguably the island's finest continental cuisine -- you remember, old favorites such as Wiener schnitzel and lobster Thermidor. It's also the best spot on island for late-night munchies, staying open until 4am on Saturday.

Sabor (tel. 242/373-5588; www.sabor-bahamas.com), the new restaurant and bar in the garden of the Pelican Bay hotel, serves some of the finest seafood on island, with tables opening onto the Port Lucaya Marina. In such a marine atmosphere, you can sample the locally harvested catch of the day, perhaps a platter of hog snapper.

Bimini

Overlooking the Straits of Florida, Bimini Sands Resort & Marina (tel. 242/347-3500; www.biminisands.com) lies on remote South Bimini, a true hideaway, with one- and two-bedroom condos opening onto a good beach. Yachties favor the place because of the adjacent marina, and an all-night water taxi shuttles you to the "action," such as it is, on North Bimini in the little settlement of Alice Town.

The Abacos

On Green Turtle Cay, New Plymouth Inn (tel. 242/365-4161; www.newplymouthinn.com) is back in business, having been beautifully restored after hurricane damage. For those who like to go the elegant B&B route, this is the best choice in all of the Abacos. The inn is imbued with colonial charm and has a first-class restaurant, the Captain's Table, serving continental and Bahamian cuisine.

Eleuthera

Construction is under way on the Cotton Bay Villas (tel. 800/255-4539; www.discovercottonbay.com), with a projected opening date of 2010. The Cotton Bay Club enjoyed great renown in the 1950s and 1960s before its decline. It is expected to make a comeback with 69 rooms within 20 villas, including four deluxe suites in an all-new clubhouse. South Eleuthera has been lacking in first-class and deluxe accommodations for years, and this boutique hotel is expected to put the area back on the map for the upmarket, discerning vacationer.

The Exumas

The most elegant way to live in the Exumas is in a villa at February Point Resort Estates (tel. 800/726-2988; www.februarypoint.com), an exclusive gated residential community outside George Town on Great Exuma Island. These magnificent villas are rented out when the owners are away. The entire estate occupies 32 landscaped hectares (80 acres) on a secluded peninsula.