Review: Bahama House

What's the deal here?
Bahama House sets itself apart from all the other smart hotels that line three-mile-long Harbour Island with its customized, active adventures and family-like attitude.

You've just arrived. How did the place strike you?
From the outside, it looks like one of the many colorful gabled properties that line the streets of Harbour Island’s Dunmore Town. But entering through the side-street gate, you feel as if you’ve walked into a kind of secret garden, with shady palm trees, flowering tropical bushes, and a glimmering blue pool with hot tub, surrounded by blush-colored, two-story cottages.

Nice. What’s the crowd like?
Eleven Experiences attracts an affluent, adventurous crowd to its seven properties worldwide, including places in Crested Butte and Iceland. While Harbour Island is a more low-key spot, these same folks are here to take advantage of custom-crafted, adrenalized activities on and off the beach.

Got it. Now, the good stuff: Tell us about your room.
It's like a gentrified beach house with an island twist: bamboo furniture with punchy floral throw pillows (custom crafted by Bahamian fabricators), vintage shell-encrusted mirrors and lamps, upholstered headboards patterned in pineapples and paisley, and large island-style shutters to keep the rooms cool. The bathrooms likewise uphold the theme, with hand-stamped Costa Rican floor tiles and vintage lithographs. Plus, the bed was insanely comfortable, and the one-touch lighting and Nest climate control were convenient features.

How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?
I was seriously coveting my room’s skillful accessorizing, which looked prop-styled for a home magazine: stacks of art books weighed down by a hunk of dried coral or a bronze turtle, vintage rattan mirrors, and chic fabric throw pillows. I was also sorely tempted by the Malin + Goetz shower supplies.

Room service: Worth it?
Bahama House doesn’t generally offer dinner (unless you rent out all 11 rooms, which happens about half the time), but going out on Harbour Island is de rigeur, and the staff will happily book you reservations at any number of nearby restaurants, like Dunmore House or the Landing. But cocktails are always on offer from the poolside bar, where Robert mixes up a killer Goombay Smash and a thirst-quenching G+T. And breakfast on the patio, made by chef Niki is always a highlight—don’t miss her Bahamian fried chicken and waffles and lobster omelette.

Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?
Richard, the experience director. He grew up on the island and knows all the coolest spots for adventure, from snorkeling and picnicking at Devil’s Backbone and exploring underground caves at Queen’s Bath, to jumping into Eleuthera’s Blue Hole, a natural cenote. He’s also a blast to spend the day with, zooming around on the property’s Scorpion Rib boat. But the entire staff—from Anne, the hotel’s GM and Georgia, a manager, to Christiano, the boat captain and Robert, the bartender—is super friendly and, by your second day, practically familial.

Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.
Bahama House really specializes in excursions, and keeps guests busy with bonefishing, snorkeling, or jumping into Eleuthera’s Blue Hole, a natural cenote. For those who’d rather take it easy, the hotel has its own beachfront area with loungers, umbrellas, and a stocked cooler; they’ll drop you off in a golf cart (Harbour Island’s most ubiquitous vehicle) or let you take out your own. Back at the hotel, the rum bar, containing upwards of 50 bottles, is pretty special: it adjoins the library, with a big art book and vintage dried coral collection—a great spot for a puzzle on a rainy day.

Bottom line: worth it, and why?
Harbour Island already has many chic beach properties vying for the moneyed traveler with taste. But Bahama House really sets itself apart with its active, family-friendly vacation possibilities. When they tell you they hope to see you next year, you believe it.