French Leave Resort

Set on lush grounds overlooking the turquoise waters of Governor’s Harbour, the French Leave Resort, Autograph Collection is a sophisticated upscale property that comprises a collection of 20 cottage-style villas. The gorgeous grounds are peppered with flowering bushes, pretty palm trees, and lush plants, while quaint paths bordered by stone walls meander throughout. The infinity-edge pool is a highlight, thanks to plush, umbrella-shaded loungers lining the attractive pool deck that offers uninterrupted views of the sea.
Inside, the style is beach chic -- think wood and wicker paired with whites and sea-blue hues. The 1648 Restaurant, for instance, has inviting booth seating and plantation shutters on the stretch of windows that wraps around the space. It also opens onto an enchanting terrace where alfresco tables have enviable views of the water. The resort attracts both couples and families with kids, and the larger villas make a great getaway for small groups too. Note that there is an obligatory resort fee here, which hikes up the already pricey rates.

French Leave Resort is situated just outside of the historic village of Governor's Harbour on Eleuthera, a narrow island about 110 miles long in the Bahamas. The island is known for its pink-sand beaches and lies 50 miles east of the Bahamian capital, Nassau, which can be reached via a 20-minute flight. The closest airport is Governor's Harbour Airport, which is about an 11-minute drive away.
The hotel is right off Queens Highway, which runs the length of Eleuthera. It’s about a 10-minute walk into town, where guests will find shops, a few restaurants and cafes, and an ATM. Tippy’s Restaurant and Bar, a local hotspot, is a six-minute drive away. Other spots that travelers might want to visit include the Haynes Library (12-minute walk or two-minute drive) and the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (six-minute drive).

The 20 colonial-style villas here are chic and spacious, and include one-, two-, and four-bedroom options. Beach-chic decor is quaint yet breezy, with plantation shutters on the windows, lovely wood furnishings, and mainly white and soft gray hues brightened by pops of turquoise. Four-poster beds are a nice touch, and details like chic shell art add an island flair.
One-bedroom units have sitting areas with sofas and armchairs, while higher-category villas, like Premium One Bedrooms and up, have separate living rooms and full kitchens. Kitchens are well-equipped with four-burner stoves, ovens, microwaves, full fridges, dishwashers, and coffeemakers, plus cooking- and dishware. All villas open onto lovely private decks with partial or full ocean views. The four-bedroom villa has a private outdoor pool.
The villas are well-outfitted in terms of amenities; all have iPads, mini-fridges with icemakers, flat-screen TVs, safes, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Higher-category villas add extras like Bose sound systems and washer/dryers. All villas also come with at least one golf cart for navigating around the property. Bathroom have walk-in showers and are stocked with quality toiletries.

The French Leave Resort’s 1648 restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a lovely indoor space, as well as on its beautiful terrace for alfresco dining with gorgeous views over the harbor. Food is well-reviewed by guests and comprises American classics with a Bahamian twist and a focus on seafood, including salads, sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas alongside more tropical flavors like conch chowder, shrimp and conch ceviche, and fish prepared in a variety of ways. Kids’ menus are available as well. Guests can also enjoy a bite or a cocktail poolside as well as on the beach. Meals can be ordered via in-room iPads.

French Leave Resort doesn’t overwhelm with features, but it offers enough to keep guests entertained and occupied. The grounds are a highlight – lush and scenic, with plenty of appealing spots for lounging. One of the main attractions is the infinity-edge outdoor pool, which is scenically set overlooking the bay and has an attractive pool deck lined with padded wicker loungers and parasols (although it is a bit small). Guests can order cocktails and food to eat poolside.
The beach is another highlight – it’s a gorgeous stretch of powdery white sand and turquoise water. A handful of water sports are available, including kayaking (tandem and solo), stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling. The hotel has its own marina with seven yacht moorings. It can accommodate yachts up to 160 feet.
There’s not too much here in terms of family friendly features – no kids’ club or kiddie pool. But nevertheless, it’s a popular choice for families due to the private villas and self-catering features. Guests may be disappointed that there’s no spa here.
There are French Leave Resort wedding venues available, including beachfront, in an open-air pavilion, and on an event lawn. Staff can help arrange the ceremony.