Slipping Into Tropical Tranquility at Rosewood Baha Mar
Photography and Words by Alison Engstrom
Produced in Collaboration with Rosewood Baha Mar
Set among a tropical enclave on the island of Nassau in the Bahamas, Rosewood Baha Mar offers an elevated escape in a tranquil setting. While located in the sprawling Baha Mar complex, which stretches over 1,000 acres, its tucked away nature combined with its unparalleled dining experiences, its noteworthy design, and impressive art collection, makes it an exclusive haven for vacationers. Modeled after a grand estate, guests will be greeted with vibrant foliage and canopies of towering palms, which shelter the walkways that wind from the Rosewood to the inviting turquoise waters of Cable Beach, where the hotel has its own private stretch. Visitors can choose to spend their time in the Caribbean or in one of the two pools—one a lagoon-style another marked with cabanas—where relaxation can officially begin.
Left to Right Tonal hand-painted murals on display in the corridors; art hangs above an expertly design marble fireplace in the lobby; the inviting room where afternoon tea is served.
Guests will notice, as they stroll through the sun-filtered lobby that art has a prominent position throughout, and at Baha Mar as a whole, which hovers around 700 original works. Take the oversized Damien Hirst butterfly piece that anchors a communal area and the soothing tones of the hand-painted Bahamian landscape murals, which clad the walls. All the initiatives are led by the exacting eye of artist and curator John Cox—he’s also Rosewood’s Inaugural PlaceMaker—whose goal is to expand visitors’ cultural awareness of the Bahamas and delve deeper into the island’s history and culture. He has outfitted the hotel with more than 100 works, including his own, and that of Heino Schmid, Max Taylor, and Dave Smith. He also spearheads a multitude of on-site cultural initiatives like the exhibitions at The Current Gallery, Inspired By Talks, and Hussey’s Tropical Wonder Art Tour.
Above Soothing tones create an ambiance ideal for relaxing after a day at the beach or pool.
The Rooms
Grasscloth lined corridors lead to the 237 rooms, suites, and villas, which boast a tranquil palette of soothing blues, lavenders, and washed woods, which takes its cues from the island’s dreamy water colors and sunsets. Guests will sink into comfort with Rivolta Carmignani linens, balconies with plush seating that peer over the courtyard or ocean, and some booking options, like the Resort View Studio Suite, have a small mini-kitchen and washer and dryer.
Experience at treatment at Sense, The Spa at Rosewood
To coax yourself into a state of bliss, book a skin or body treatment at Sense. The spa taps into age-old Bahamian healing techniques paired with aromatic, native botanicals to offer a memorable pampering experience. Some treatments to consider are the Gullah Geechee Detox, which first warms the body from the inside out first by serving a local neem tea, followed by a hot neem oil scrub that further works to draw toxins from the body. If you are seeking a more traditional massage, book the Bahamian Mood which blends cascarilla, neem, or lemongrass oils to restore balance in the body.
Above A poolside cabana ideal for lounging.
Dining at Rosewood
There are plenty of dining choices throughout Baha Mar—you’ll uncover more than 20 restaurants scattered around the property—and there are two notable options at the Rosewood, Café Boulud and Costa. The rotating seasonal menu at Café Boulud highlights sophisticated French fare in a setting outfitted with muted sea foam and emerald green banquettes anchored with vibrant art depicting local island life. The dishes are centered around four culinary themes conceptualized by Chef Daniel Boulud—La Tradition, La Saison, La Mer, and Le Voyage. Recent additions included a starter of zucchini blossoms filled with ricotta and fried until golden; for a main, a decadent ravioli filled with earthy Tomme de Savoie cheese and finished with a generous shaving of fresh black truffle. For dessert save room for the Chocolate Coulant, a decadent cocoa confection—when you slice into it, a sea of salted caramel floods the plate until it meets vanilla-scented ice cream. Café Boulud is also where breakfast is served each morning including an elaborate buffet serving a variety of traditional and inspired French pastries—try the guava croissant where airy buttery layers are interwoven with ruby ribbons of this tropical fruit—and a menu with omelettes, oatmeal, and brioche French toast.
Above Breakfast is served at Café Boulud.
Open cabanas perched over a still coy pond is the first element that will draw you in while dining at Costa. Open for lunch and dinner, expect to savor mouthwatering Mexican dishes alongside local seafood. Under the helm of Chef Juan Meza, the menu highlights include knee-buckling good Queso Fundito, a must-try starter laden with melted cheese and served alongside warm tortillas. You’ll also find a range of tacos, ceviches, and mains, like prawns enlivened with squash, but be sure to save room for the just plucked from the fryer churros perfect for dipping into their rich chocolate sauce.
Above and Below Costa’s cabanas perched on top of a coy pond; the airy bar at Costa.
Notes on Sustainability & Conservation
As travelers become more and more aware of their footprint as they wander the globe, they can take heart that the Rosewood is doing its part. Guests will find that there is not a trace of single-use plastic throughout the hotel, including plastic water bottles. Instead, they are given reusable stainless steel water bottles that can be filled up at one of the many refill stations scattered around the hotel through a partnership with Vero Water.
In addition to activities on-site, visitors also have the opportunity to explore the natural side of the Bahamas by taking advantage of Rosewood’s partnership with the non-profit, BREEF (Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation). The organization’s goal, since it began in 1993, is to conserve precious marine life by bridging the connection with locals and visitors about the importance of protecting the water through educational initiatives. Guests can book a half-day experience through the hotel where an expert will not only share tips on snorkeling, but will take you to explore a coral nursery, where staghorn coral (an endangered variety) is grown, in addition to visiting an underwater sculpture garden.
Above Guests can order from an abbreviated Costa menu, which includes fish tacos, while lounging seaside.
Above The grand staircase leading to the courtyard, which was inspired by a modern Bahamian estate.
Above The crystal blue water of Cable Beach; guest are given straw bags for easy transport to and from the beach or pool.
How To Get To Rosewood JetBlue offers daily flights to Lynden Pindling International Airport from JFK, Logan, and other major hubs.
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