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.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.