Xanadu Beach Resort & Marina

Permeated with one of the most quirky and idiosyncratic histories of any lodging in The Bahamas, this hotel is radically different from the way it was back when it housed the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Today, Xanadu soars above a scrub-dotted landscape that's crisscrossed with canals, mysteriously upscale villas, and reminders of the hurricane damage of the past several years. You'll get the sense here of a brave and valiant hotel that has struggled to provide service and comfort to guests, despite negative fortunes and a visitor scene that has shifted increasingly away from Freeport and toward Port Lucaya. The place benefited in 2005 from a big influx of cash that reconfigured the lobby area into a Spanish Baroque fantasy. Macho-looking and elegant, it evokes a private club where billionaires might feel at home. Guest rooms are comfortable, and the nearby beach is alluring. Is the ghost of Howard Hughes still lurking in the penthouse? Perhaps.

Facilities:
Babysitting; exercise room; outdoor pool; 2 tennis courts (lit for night play); watersports equipment/rentals; Wi-Fi (free in lobby)

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.