Exuma Beach Resort

There's a bit of a split personality at this resort, though that doesn't seem to bother anyone, and -- in fact -- is part of its appeal to many guests. The style throughout is modern and simple, with lots of bright colors and plenty of open-air spaces. During the day the resort has a laid-back, beach-town vibe where guests sunbathe at the pool or small sand garden on brown lounge chairs adorned with orange pillows. With only eight rooms, the pool area and sand garden are rarely overrun, and while the beach is shared with other hotels in the area, it's never busy. Most of the socializing at the hotel takes place at the gazebo bar, Latitudes, which has wooden bar stools and benches, making it a nice place to lounge and have a drink along with ocean views. The atmosphere of the resort changes at night. On the weekends there are DJs spinning at Latitudes. Locals come for the drinks, to listen to music, and to dance. With theme nights, Latitudes is generally hopping most nights of the week, with a lively mix of customers. The restaurant has a quieter vibe for guests seeking a little less action. With the lively social scene and limited kid-friendly activities, the resort draws friends and couples more than the families, who tend to stay at neighboring Hideaways.

Of course the main draw of a stay here is the hotel's prime location on a white sand beach. Unlike the more isolated hotels in the Bahamas, Exuma Beach Resort is within walking distance or an easy taxi ride of a decent amount of things to do. It's a short five-minute drive, or 15-minute walk, to the shops and restaurants of George Town. A small row of local food shacks and bars is a five to seven-minute walk from the hotel, and several other hotels with restaurants and nightlife are within a five-minute walk of the hotel. The hotel is a seven-minute drive to the water ferry in George Town that goes to the popular Chat ’N’ Chill Beach Bar. Keep in mind that the road on which the hotel sits, Queen’s Highway, is narrow and there isn't a sidewalk, so walking at night isn’t recommended for travelers. There is no airport shuttle, but Exuma International Airport is a 10- to 15-minute drive from the resort, and taxis are readily available at the airport. 

Across all categories, rooms have a modern look that's bright, but not necessarily beachy, with the exception of the bright ocean pictures on the walls. Colors throughout all rooms are greens, dark browns, and whites, with handsome dark wood furniture that's reminiscent of an upmarket suburban home. Wavy mirrors hang above beds, and light tile floors with beige area rugs help keep things cool and bright. Guests should note that music from Latitudes Bar can be heard from some of the rooms at night.Rooms all have their own catchy names, but essentially break down into traditional hotel rooms with one or two beds and suites. The traditional rooms have king-size beds with soft mattresses that you sink into. Rooms have private terraces -- some with ocean views -- while others have patios stepping out onto the sand garden. Flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi are nice additions. Single bed and double rooms have bathrooms which are moderate in size, plenty of vanity space, and basic toiletries. Some bathrooms are nicer than others, and lower-category bathrooms have cheap-looking plastic kit shower/tub combos.Suites are similar to the lower-category rooms as far as decor and color scheme, but have living rooms with pullout sofas, dining tables, and a mini kitchens. Guests can expect a toaster, microwave, and coffeemaker in the kitchen as well as some dishware. With two TVs and ample space, the suites are a nice upgrade. Bathrooms in suites are huge, with two sinks, plenty of walking room, and a separate marble-enclosed walk-in shower. The bathrooms also have plenty of storage and hanging space .

For such a small hotel, the nightlife at Exuma Beach Resort is almost outsized -- but it's what helps make this a well-liked hotel. Latitudes Bar and Restaurant is a popular destination for both hotel guests and locals. It serves the same menu inside and out, with casual Bahamian grill fare that includes burgers, conch fritters, conch chowder, and fresh seafood. The bar serves frozen drinks, specialty cocktails, wine, and beer to hotel guests and locals. With nightly theme nights and weekend DJs the bar provides a lively social scene. An a la carte breakfast is only served inside at the restaurant and includes traditional offerings like yogurt, fresh fruit, eggs, and pancakes. Unfortunately, breakfast isn't included in room rates.Adjacent to the restaurant and bar sits the pool with stunning ocean views. The pool has a small pool deck immediately surrounding it with a handful of metal tables with orange umbrellas, which opens onto a larger, more spacious wooden deck, leading out to a pier. With only eight rooms and the pool only open to guests, the area isn’t particularly busy. The deck and pier have a tendency to have more of a crowd later on in the evening when locals come by to socialize at Latitudes. The sand garden is located in front of the rooms with a few brown lounge chairs. The beach is a short flight of stairs down from the hotel with plenty of space for guests to spread out despite the beach being shared with other hotels in the area. A few thatched sun shades dot the beach providing some shade. Additional amenities include concierge services, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of free parking. Laundry services can also be arranged.