Review of the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Pools and Beach
If you are like most families, I have to imagine that a driving reason to go to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas is to swim and enjoy the pools and the beach. This new hotel is located on a 3,000 foot stretch of white sand on Cable Beach. The water is the Bahamas Blue I'm sure you have at least seen on postcards, and on our early fall trip there was just the right amount of waves to give the kids something to playfully scream at without being a serious threat.
Before we dive too far into the pools and beach at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, here are some other posts on this resort as well as a video that should give you a decent overview of our time there.
Inside Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Oceanview Rooms
The Pools at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar's website boasts six pools, though in person I would have guessed there are even more than that as the pool complex is quite extensive. There are pools with fountains, pools with "raining" awnings, pools with waterfalls, pools with cabanas, a cave in a pool, a pool with a bar, a pool with a shark tank, and even a pool with a rock jumping cliff.
Not only are there lots of pools, but there are even more chairs. Granted the hotel was not fully open and at a pretty low occupancy rate while we were there, but there are seriously a bunch of chairs around the pools and ocean so you had your pick of spots.
We spent the majority of our swimming time at the pool closest to the ocean that featured the cave, shark tank, rock jumping, and more.
While there are no water slides, this is hands down my favorite pool to date...ever. The rock jumping was just the right amount of scary, there is a zero entry area for my toddler, and there is a cave where you can hang out in the shade and watch sharks. My two-year-old could have done this all day long.
If you wanted a top-side view of the sharks, stingrays, and more you could walk around the pool and take a peek. I will warn you that once you go top-side there are no walls, barriers, fences, etc. between you, your kids, and the nurse sharks.
While drink and food service seems to still largely require that you go up to the bar to order, it will be brought to you and you can eat and drink while you lounge around the pool.
At this pool closest to the ocean, you are also just a few feet away from walking that direction and playing in the gorgeous sand and water.
The Beach at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
I'm not sure families could ask for a better beach than the one at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. Surfers may not like it, but for most of the rest of us, it is pretty fantastic.
There are Hyatt staff on the beach that will set up chairs, umbrellas, and even get you started on some of the water toys like a kayak or paddle board. There is no charge for any of this as it is included in your daily resort fee.
We've taken several beach trips where I didn't get in the water, but I was all-in on this one as the water was the perfect temperature, clear, and calm. We used the paddle boards, kayaks, and played on the other various water toys that they anchored in the ocean. They even have ocean-specific and pool-specific life vests available for the little ones.
On our stay, there was not anyone selling goods on the beach the way I know there is in other parts of the Bahamas. I can't say for sure whether that is because we were literally the only ones there at times, or because the hotel keeps that sort of thing away on an ongoing basis.
I just can't put into words how nice it is when a hotel makes pool and beach time so easy. I've had trips where getting the kids to the beach was just a nightmare and getting them back to the house/room after was even worse as they were then wet, sticky, hot, tired etc. and we had a mountain of gear to schlep to and from the beach. This is such the opposite of that experience that I can't wait to get back.
There are lifeguards, sunscreen stations, towel stations, water stations, places to rinse off, and even adorable little bathroom huts all around the beach and pool area.
While most of the pool and beach amenities are included for resort guests, the one exception is the cabanas that were renting for $350 per day during our visit. I only saw one or two in use during our stay, so I'm not totally sure why they are sticking to that high price point as I would have rented one if the price were lower.
The pools close at about dusk, but there are some hot tubs that may stay open later. Apparently, there is also a "secret" small infinity pool at the top of the Palms Cafe that I wasn't aware of until I read this post.
One feature that some may not appreciate is despite the abundance of pools, none of them are currently designated as adult pools as far as I can tell. They were so empty on our visit I don't think this was a problem, but if they were at max capacity it may be beneficial to designate at least one pool for the 18+ club. I nominate this one below.
I already mentioned the lack of water slides at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, but we were told by multiple people that they are planning to put in an entire water park right next to the hotel, so I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of water slides right now. Honestly, these pools were so much fun we didn't miss a water slide at all, and if you did desire some water slide time, you could just head to Atlantis for the day.
While I have to imagine that the pools and beach will be more crowded on our next visit to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, I think that the whole area is well designed enough to handle crowds and still not feel overwhelming. I can't wait to return and would love to hear your thoughts if you have been lucky enough to visit.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees