Multigenerational Travel | Our Trip to Baha Mar in the Bahamas

When you’re an empty nester, you gotta take advantage of “shoulder season!” If you’re not familiar with the term, “shoulder season” is the travel period between the peak season (summer) and the off-season (winter). Think lower prices, fewer crowds, and temperate weather. For us, it was the perfect time for a multi-generational trip to Baha Mar in the Bahamas.

Cabana Life UPF 50+ Provence Smocked Waist Dress (Use code SUZY15 for 15% off) | Tory Burch Coral Patent Miller Sandals (now 30% off) | Amazon Straw Hat (Dupe of THIS Eric Javits)

Heading to Baha Mar

Talbots AirKnit Stretch Cowl-Neck Tank | Talbots AirKnit Stretch Pintuck Wide Leg Pants | Matisse Philly Platform Sneakers (similar) | Gucci Crossbody (Pre-owned HERE) | Palermo Straw Beach Bag (now 35% off) | Briggs & Riley Medium Spinner | Amazon Straw Hat (Dupe of THIS Eric Javits) | Amazon Hat Clip

Baha Mar is located in Nassau, Bahamas. You need a passport to get there, and most planes will route you through Miami. Since we were traveling with a 19-month-old, we opted to stop for the night in Miami. Bob works in his Miami office for about a week every month, so it was an opportunity to show our family his office, and check out a few of his favorite restaurants.

Amazon Find! Hatley Girls’ One Size Flutter Sleeve Dress

We arrived at the Nassau airport, and since we were wrangling a car seat, we opted to arrange transportation through our resort, the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. We chose to stay there because when Bob travels, he stays in Hyatt properties, and we had lots and lots of points! Even during shoulder season, the resort is pricey, and we definitely wouldn’t have been able to stay without points.

Today, I’m sharing photos and lots of info about our activities, restaurants we enjoyed, etc. Then, at the very end of this post, I’m sharing my honest review, including what we loved and didn’t love about Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.

Baha Mar Activities

There are so many things to do at Baha Mar! From the Baha Bay Waterpark to the Wildlife Sanctuary, this isn’t your ordinary beach resort!

Flamingo Meet & Greet

Cabana Life UPF 50+ Provence Smocked Waist Dress (Use code SUZY15 for 15% off) | Tory Burch Coral Patent Miller Sandals (now 30% off) | Amazon Straw Hat (Dupe of THIS Eric Javits)

We loved this 30-minute close-up experience with the resort’s ambassador flamingos! We learned all about the flamingos from their keepers, and we had an opportunity to feed, touch, and take photos of them. They loved my dress, and I loved their sassy personalities! ($100/person) 

Aviary Bird Feeding

This is a great activity for littles. Our granddaughter, Lily, is 19 months old, and because they have a bird feeder in their backyard at home, she loves birds and is very comfortable with them. Entrance to the Aviary is complimentary for all Baha Mar guests. Each feeding purchase includes two specially prepared seed sticks. ($12/person)

Aldabra Tortoise Encounter

On Sarah: SPANX UPF 50+ Pique Long Sleeve Sun Swim Shirt (now 50% off)

The Aldabra Tortoise Encounter is a 20-minute experience where you can meet and interact with young Aldabra tortoises. You get to touch, feed, and take photos with them. ($35/person) We bought THIS tortoise to help Lily remember this special encounter, and Sarah tells me she carries it around constantly now that she’s home.

Sanctuary Aquarium Feeding + Touch Tank Experience

This was not a good experience with a little one. (And in the resort’s defense, they tell you that upfront.) It was too long! During the experience, you observe keepers feeding nurse sharks, stingrays, green sea turtles, and Caribbean fish. You can also participate in a touch tank experience with some invertebrate sea creatures. ($30/person)

Baha Mar Water Activities

There are 10+ pools at Baha Mar! From the beach and the many resort pools to the Baha Bay Water Park, all water activities are included for resort guests.

Aquarium Pool

The swim-up aquarium pool at the resort was one of our favorite things to do! It has an underwater marine cavern with huge windows that look into the resort’s aquarium. You can see nurse sharks, stingrays, and lots of tropical fish.

Drift Pool

Spanx UPT 50+ Pique Long Sleeve Swim Shirt (now 50% off) | UNDERNEATH: Lands’ End Twist Front Underwire Bikini (now 52% off) | Lands’ End High Waist Polka Dot Bikini Bottom (now 40% off) | Amazon Straw Hat (Dupe of THIS Eric Javits)

The Drift pool is very kid-friendly. It has a nice shallow area with little fountains, which Lily and I loved!

Baha Bay Waterpark

We didn’t get many photos of the water park because one of us always played with Lily while the others squeezed in a few water slides! You weren’t allowed to bring phones on those rides, so we didn’t take any photos. (See the resort’s photos HERE.) ) The baby and toddler area was darling, however, with colorful, kid-sized slides, a splash pad area, and a shallow pool perfect for babies and toddlers. (Again, we were too busy just enjoying to take too many photos!

Lazy River

The Lazy River at Baha Bay is over a quarter of a mile long, and it travels through gorgeous tropical foliage. There are a few areas with waves and mini-rapids, so they don’t call it a “lazy” river, but those areas are easy to avoid if you want a more sedate experience!

Baha Mar Beach

(on LEFT) Rufflebutts Blue Floral Long Sleeve One Piece Rash Guard (now 5% off) | (on RIGHT) Rufflebutts Pink Gingham Long Sleeve One Piece Rash Guard (35% off + extra 25% off) | Lily’s Flap Sun Hat | Lily’s Sunglasses with Strap

Nothing beats the turquoise on the top, crystal clear waters of the Caribbean! We set aside an entire day to spend at the resort’s private beach. They offer complimentary rentals of stand-up paddleboards, single and double kayaks, water hammocks, floating lounges, and personal floats, but we didn’t take advantage of them. Instead, we focused on introducing Lily to the sand and the ocean. She wasn’t sure at first, but she ended up loving it! (Snacks helped! 😂)

Spanx UPF 50+ Pique Long Sleeve Swim Shirt (now 50% off) | UNDERNEATH: Lands’ End Twist Front Underwire Bikini (now 52% off) | Lands’ End High Waist Polka Dot Bikini Bottom (now 40% off) | Amazon Straw Hat (Dupe of THIS Eric Javits) | Water Shoes (Similar)

Living the “Cabana Life”

(ON LEFT) Cabana Life UFP 50+ Terry Tunic/Cover Up (use code SUZY15 for 15% off) | (ON RIGHT) Anne Cole Halter Bikini Top (now 73% off!) | Anne Cole Convertible High Waist Shirred Swim Bottom | Anne Cole Button Down Shirt Cover Up (now 76% off!) | Amazon Straw Hat (Dupe of THIS Eric Javits)

We rented a cabana for the day we spent at Baha Bay and also one for the day we spent at the resort pools. It was a great decision with a baby! We loved having access to a fridge and a designated server when we were ready to order lunch.

Restaurants

Unfortunately, we were disappointed in the restaurants at Baha Mar. The service was not timely nor friendly, the prices were high, and there were very few options for those with dietary restrictions 🙋‍♀️ We didn’t find the dining at Baha Mar to be very family-friendly. The one exception? Sugar Factory.

Sugar Factory Restaurant

With classic American food and over-the-top desserts, this restaurant was our favorite! The fun starts out front, with colorful kid-sized figurines! It’s a great spot for photos. (In fact, Sugar Factory was named “The Most Instagrammed Restaurant in the United States” by Food & Wine Magazine!)

Lilly Pulitzer Baby Paloma Bubble Dress | Matching Dress for Mom (not pictured) Lilly Pulitzer Bayleigh Floral Flutter-Sleeve Midi-Dress

What I Wore at Baha Mar

For reference, I’m 5’5″ and typically wear an XS. Everything I’m sharing fits TTS unless I indicate otherwise.

(ON LEFT) Cabana Life UPF 50+ Coral Tides Off the Shoulder Dress (use code SUZY15 for 15% off) | Tory Burch Coral Patent Miller Sandals (now 30% off) | (ON RIGHT) Cabana Life UPF 50+ Navy Stripe Smocked Waist Dress (use code SUZY15 for 15% off) | Tory Burch Patent Metallic Blue Miller Sandals | Amazon Pearl Apple Watch Band | Allie + Bess Taylor Bracelet Stack (use ENB20 for 20% off)

Upscale resort wear was perfect at Baha Mar! It’s no secret that my favorite resort wear is from Cabana Life! It’s sun-safe, high-quality, and a women-owned business! Also, Empty Nest Blessed readers can use the exclusive code SUZY15 for 15% off sitewide!

I brought lots and lots of THESE sandals that I’ve collected over the years. The resort is big and spread out, so it was critical to have comfortable shoes!

Lilly Pulitzer Jilly Smocked Dress (Love the seashells on it!) | Lilly Pulitzer Sea View Linen Button Down Shirt (matches dress!)

Amazon Embroidered Top Dress (Lots of colors available. Click HERE to see them.) |
Tory Burch Patent Black Miller Sandals

I really did try to be in the moment and not focus on creating content! (I love y’all, but…😉) That means we didn’t get photos of everything I wore! Here are a few of my other looks (If you’re heading out somewhere warm soon, or if you want to save big money by snagging a sale deal, this section is for you!)

• I love theme dressing😂, so THESE PJs 🌴were fun to bring along!
• Also, since we were in a tropical location, I loved having THESE gauzy top and shorts (on sale + on BOGO 50% off right now) to keep me cool. (Wear them out and about or as PJs.)
• THIS well-priced A-line Lilly Pulitzer Kristen Swing Dress has a Texas theme, but many other states and locations are available. Click HERE to see them all.
• Cabana Life UFP 50+ Amalfi Coast Smocked Waist Dress (Use code SUZY15 for 15% off.)
• Lilly Pulitzer Dune UPF 50+ Dress (This one runs short!)
• Jude Connally UFP 50+ Maryanne Dress (Use code SUZY15 for 15% off.)
• THIS Amazon Denim Baby Doll Dress that I’ve had for years!
• The sunglasses I wore on our trip are prescription, but THESE are a great dupe. (Now BOGO 50% off.)

My Honest Review of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

Here’s what we loved about it:

• It was family-friendly.
• It was beautifully landscaped.
• It was clean. Like, spic and span!
• They offered wonderful activities, including animal and sea life encounters (Most for an extra fee).

What we didn’t love:

• There were very limited options for diners with dietary restrictions.
• Many staff members were unfriendly and unaccommodating. (The exception: senior staff members.)
• A lack of affordable food and beverage options.
• We found glass and other small bits of garbage on the beach.
• The resort is centered around an enormous casino (which we knew in advance), but you must walk through it to get to everything. This made for a lot of walking to get to activities, pools, and restaurants.
• Everything was EXPENSIVE (for what was provided).

Have you been to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar? If so, I’d love to know what you thought! Let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to answer them.