What's New

Big changes are in store for The Bahamas, many of which will be launched in 2008. The major development is occurring both at Cable Beach on New Providence Island outside Nassau and at the mammoth Atlantis Resort on neighboring Paradise Island.

Even sleepy Eleuthera, drowsy for years, is slated to start opening "boutique resorts" in 2008. Otherwise, a great deal of the Out Islands are pretty much as we've described them unless a hurricane hits.

Nassau/Cable Beach -- Between now and 2009 (possibly 2010), Cable Beach, that shoreline strip of hotels and condos outside Nassau, will experience a building boom. In their grandiose redevelopment plans, Cable Beach promoters are preparing to give the mammoth Paradise Island Resort of Atlantis a run for its money.

There's talk that Cable Beach one day will look as if it were designed by Walt Disney. In 2007, massive multimillion-dollar improvements were made to much of the existing hotel infrastructure. In addition to all the new hotels planned, the existing Wyndham and Sheraton properties will be radically altered. On the charts are new marinas, a redesigned golf course, and even new "lakes."

Even more hotel developments are underway, including a projected reopening of the famous Compass Point Hotel on Cable Beach. Owned by Chris Blackwell, founder of Virgin Records, it will offer brightly painted Creole "huts." The Bob Marley Resort, a once-private retreat of the reggae star himself and his family, is being converted into a hotel.

On the 92-hectare (230-acre) Rose Island, an exclusive retreat 6.4km (4 miles) off the coast of Nassau, the Ritz Carlton chain is planning a deluxe hotel.

For years, Sun and . . . , Lakeview Road at East Shirley Street (tel. 242/393-1205), was acclaimed as perhaps the finest restaurant on island. In 2006, it made a comeback and has reclaimed its legendary position among local restaurants. As more and more visitors dine only at their hotels, Sun and . . . remains the leading independent choice on New Providence Island, even luring diners from the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

On Cable Beach itself, the opening of Moso in the Wyndham Nassau Resort (tel. 242/327-6200) has created the most media buzz. This is the leading Asian restaurant on island and one of the finest dining choices of the Baha Mar Cable Beach complex. Its Mongolian-style chicken and beef hot pie and its aromatic crispy duck are just some of the many dishes that the Bahamian staff learned how to make with the finesse of the kitchens of the Far East.

Paradise Island -- Chalks International Airways is no longer flying into Paradise Island from Fort Lauderdale. Air passengers must fly into the recently renamed Lynden Pindling International Airport on New Providence Island and take a taxi over the bridge to Paradise Island.

Chances are, once on island, a guest will be checking into the rapidly expanding Atlantis Paradise Island Resort & Casino (tel. 242/363-3000). In 2006 and 2007, the resort continued to grow, adding not only more rooms but also additional Water World-type features with a labyrinth of new streams and waterfalls. A 400-unit condo complex is slated for completion by 2009.

Ready in 2007 is the swank The Cove Atlantis, Casino Drive (tel. 242/363-3000), an all-suite hotel that is a semiprivate hideaway within a greater complex. Although much of Atlantis is geared to the family trade, The Cove is strictly an adult retreat. Some of the suites at this posh new address are so large that they are of presidential proportions.

After Nobu (tel. 242/353-3000) opened in the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort's Royal Towers on Casino Drive, it became the most sought-after dining seat in the entire complex. Its cutting-edge take on Asian cuisine has drawn celebrities to its stylish precincts and the culinary genius of the Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who created all the menu specialties.

Another immediate dining success, Casa d'Angelo opened in the Coral Tower at Atlantis on Casino Drive (tel. 242/363-3000), serving some of the best Italian food in the country in plush, upholstered surroundings. Classic rather than innovative Italian specialties are offered. Dishes are prepared with high-quality ingredients, ranging from carpaccio of tuna to free-range chicken roasted in a wood-fired oven.

Grand Bahama Island -- A new hotel, Bell Channel Inn, Kings Road, Lucaya (tel. 242/373-1053), is geared mainly to scuba divers but open to all. Dive packages are available at this resort, which is close to the ocean. Those who stay behind for the day enjoy a solar-heated pool. On-site is a full-service dive shop and a private boat that will take you to some of the best dive sites on Grand Bahama Island, which are only a 5- to 10-minute boat ride from the inn. The on-site Seafood Restaurant & Bar specializes in . . . guess what?

Bimini -- Hoteliers on island are concerned about the new U.S. requirements demanding that visitors to The Bahamas must carry a valid passport to enter Bimini, which lies right off the coast of Florida. In former years, vacationers to Florida could show a government-issued photo ID to sail over from Florida for "a taste of The Bahamas," in essence tying in a visit to a foreign country on their Florida holiday. This was one of the most popular trips to be made off the Florida coast. It is estimated that thousands of Florida-bound visitors do not possess a passport. Therefore, the sightseers heading for Bimini are expected to be dramatically curtailed because of this new requirement, which is effective on January 1, 2008.

Elbow Cay -- After closing down in 1999 because of damage caused by Hurricane Floyd, Hope Town Harbour Lodge, Upper Road, Hope Town (tel. 242/366-0095), has made a comeback. The property is looking better than ever, and many improvements were made in its restoration, including the addition of hurricane-strength windows and doors, and the installation of private balconies in all the rooms in the main building. Boardwalks and artful landscaping were also part of the deal, along with the restoration of a century-old Butterfly House for rent and the addition of six cottages on the grounds.

Eleuthera -- Outside Gregory Town at Surfers Beach, an informal resort has opened for surfers. Aptly named Surfers Beach Manor (tel. 242/335-5300), it is a laid-back inn of 11 newly restored and air-conditioned cottages, featuring affordable rates and a Bahamian cuisine.

Big developments are on the way for this chain of islands. In the summer of 2006, groundbreaking began on the Current Club at the southernmost tip of North Eleuthera, and the old Club Med at Gregory Town is being turned into a boutique hotel called French Leave Resort. Construction began in 2007 on the site of this former Club Med, which was destroyed by a hurricane.

Exumas -- News of a malaria outbreak here in the summer of 2006 damaged tourist prospects to these beautiful islands, which are particularly popular with yachties from Florida. At least 60 people, mostly locals, tested positive for this potentially fatal disease. The Bahamian government increased mosquito control, among other measures. Before coming here, the prudent might want to check the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/travel).

In another development, the major resort in The Exumas, Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma at Emerald Bay (tel. 242/366-6800), has been much improved and has worked out its kinks that became apparent upon its opening. It is now running smoothly and has added El Cielo, an on-site restaurant that is the finest in the archipelago, serving a refined Italian cuisine.

Sampson Cay -- This remote island in the Exumas is the site of Sampson Cay Club (tel. 242/355-2034), which has been considerably improved. The furnishings in the bedrooms have been upgraded, and two units are right on the beach. Rentals have outdoor showers as well as their own dinghy docks. Also, the staff now rents 3.9 and 5.1m (13- and 17-ft.) whalers, as well as Hobie cats.

Long Island -- Long the leading resort of this remote island, Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, at Cape Santa Maria (tel. 242/338-5273), has added eight new beachfront villas, each with luxury appointments, to its complex. The resort has also upgraded its amenities and improved its cuisine. Of course, it still has that fabulous beach frontage.