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.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.