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Review of the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Grand Club Lounge

Nov. 01, 2017
8 min read
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On our first trip to the Bahamas a few years ago, we had some serious mealtime sticker shock. I know that most things cost more on an island and that in a tourist zone that is doubly true, but even factoring in both of those things, we still were astonished at both the cost of our meals at and around Atlantis, as well as the primarily mediocre quality of what we ate. I don't mind paying more for good food, but I really don't enjoy spending $60+ on a "meh" family lunch. On the flip side, I'm okay with uninspiring food while enjoying a fun location as long as it doesn't make me sick and is budget friendly.

When we decided to take a trip back to the Bahamas to stay at the new Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, I was thrilled that there was a Grand Club because this meant we could avoid a lot of food expenses that really ate at our budget last time around when we stayed at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island near Atlantis.

Before I get into all that the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Club Lounge has to offer, here are some previous posts in this series including a short YouTube video about the property. The Club Lounge information in that video starts at about the 1:20 mark if you want to skip to that.


Grand Club Access at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

For those who are planning a trip to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, I cannot emphasize enough how much you are probably going to want lounge access. Whether you access the Grand Club via your Hyatt Globalist status, by using one of the four annual Explorist lounge access passes, by spending 27,000 points per night to book a Grand Club room, via using an additional 3,000 Hyatt points per night on top of an eligible paid rate, or by simply paying extra cash, you want club access at this property as it makes meals and snacks easy and in most cases much more affordable. Before they realized we had Globalist status, we were offered lounge access for an additional $100 per night, but I have heard of offers as low as an additional $50 per night.

I will add that as the property is still doing a phased opening in 2017 there may be some limitations on Grand Club access, but as I peek into 2018, Club rooms seem plentiful.

Not only does the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Club Lounge have very solid food and beverage offerings, but it is absolutely gorgeous and staffed with the most friendly staff.

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Club Lounge sitting area

The Grand Club at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is located on the main floor along with the lobbies, casinos, shops, at the far end of the West Tower. We stayed in the East Tower, which was the only one open during our stay, and it is a bit of a walk to go all the way from one end of the property to the other, but the walk is all indoors and pretty pleasant.

Bring your stroller to the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

Just be sure to wear good shoes and bring a stroller for the younger travelers in your crew if you plan frequent trips from one tower to the other.

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Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Club Lounge

The Grand Hyatt Bar Mar Club is open daily from 6:30 AM - 9 PM with a full breakfast spread in the morning and then evening appetizers beginning at about 5 PM. Throughout the day you can drop in to grab a bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, etc. but there aren't many snacks to speak of outside of those two meal times.

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Club Lounge soft drinks

In the evenings there is complimentary wine, beer, and mixed drinks available along with the food. Not only that, but you can watch one of the evening fountain shows starting at 8 PM from outside on the club balcony while enjoying your complimentary beverage!

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Grand Club Breakfast

While on vacation with two little girls, by the time we have everyone ready to leave the hotel room in the morning, I often feel like a trophy should be waiting in the hallway for our "accomplishment". If not a trophy then perhaps at least a huge cup of coffee.

Everyone is dressed and ready for breakfast

That may not have happened, but being able to take everyone directly from the hotel room to the lounge to gorge on muffins, pastries, fruit, juice, and yes, coffee, is the next best thing.

I'm all for local, authentic dining experiences on our travels, but not first thing in the morning with two hungry little girls and tired parents. We need food quickly in the mornings, so that usually means eating at the hotel, which can get expensive in a hurry with a family. However, when there is a club lounge as amazing as this one, you get convenience, affordability, and good crowd-pleasing food all at the same time.

Not surprisingly, the muffins were a huge hit with my girls, but my personal favorites were the fruit, yogurt, and granola parfaits as well as the salmon as shown below.

The ready to grab bowls of fruit were also perfect for us to all snack from at breakfast.

Along with the cold items, there were a few rotating hot dishes each morning ranging from eggs, to bacon, sausage, yellow grits, and more.

We typically had a large breakfast each morning in the lounge and then were able to just eat a moderately sized lunch, which saved us both money and time in the middle of the day.

While you certainly could sit at one of the many indoor tables in the Grand Club, we found the balcony to be a perfect spot to enjoy breakfast and plot out our day.

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Grand Club Evening Offerings

It is relatively common for a club lounge to serve a decent breakfast spread, but evening offerings can get far more variable. From a convenience and budgetary standpoint I was really hoping that we could turn the evening appetizers at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Club Lounge into our dinner at least a couple of nights, and thankfully that turned out to be very realistic and enjoyable goal.

In each of the evenings we visited, we often saw some of the same vegetables, greens, sliced meats, and dinner rolls, but there was also a rotating hot dish that served as the main attraction.

We enjoyed a shrimp and noodles with cream sauce dish as well as a very good salmon and vegetable dish served with mashed potatoes during our stay. These dishes were well beyond your ordinary club lounge evening appetizers.

On our first night, I was surprised at the lack of desserts in the lounge once the clock ticked past 8 PM. However, beginning on our second night, we learned that there are indeed desserts, but the staff brings them to you more or less upon request. I briefly mentioned this already, but the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Club Lounge staff is truly top notch and very attentive. If you choose to engage with them, you will be delighted not only with great conversation but with some delicious treats. My chocolate seeking seven-year-old sheepishly inquired if there was dessert available, and that set off the avalanche of treats for the remainder of our nights at the property.

In addition to the evening meals, appetizers, and desserts, there are also adult beverages in the Club Lounge on a complimentary basis in the evenings. For those not familiar, this is not always the case in lounges as sometimes there is a charge for drinks in the lounge, even in the evenings, but not at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Grand Club truly is one of the highlights of the Baha Mar property due to its enjoyable aesthetics, indoor and outdoor seating options, the depth and variety of the breakfast and evening food offerings, and the very pleasant staff members who were a delight to see each day.

We are looking forward to a return visit to this property and Grand Club in the coming years. In the next part of this series on the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, I'll show you some of the property's activities and amenities such as the (free!) Kid's Club, shark tank, and more!

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.