Nassau, Bahamas Day 1: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Swimming Pig, & Regatta Buffet

Went to Nassau, Bahamas in 2017 for my brother's proposal. We were staying at Melia at the time and next door was The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, which had barely opened. We visited frequently to gamble and Phat did some damage gambling. So a year later he asked for some comped rooms and they agreed to give him a few rooms for a week. So we headed back.

We had a layover in Charlotte, NC.






It's been a year since our visit and now Rosewood & SLS hotel were open.

Upon picking up my luggage from American Airlines, the baggage handler had snapped off my top and side handle. My handle brackets are made of aluminum and they were completely ripped off. Sent a complaint to American Airlines. Haven't heard anything back yet.

Phat's host sent us a driver to pick us up at the airport. Baha Mar, Atlantis, and a few other resorts had a desk at the airport.

Got picked up in a Range Rover.








Check in was a breeze. Guest are given wrist bracelets for identification purposes. Last year we just had to show them our room key.

Ocean View Deluxe Queen.



Rooms are outfitted with tablets that provide all information about the resort. You can also access hours and menu items of all the restaurants. Last year they only had about 3 restaurants available, but looks like everything is open now.


Bathroom can be closed off.


Phat upgraded his room to an Ocean front King Suite. Which was located in the reserved tower. Has it's own butler, unlimited non-alcoholic beverage, pastries in the morning, & 5-9 is hors d'oeuvre and cocktails in the lounge.


Ocean front view.





Getting our vacation started.



One of the highlights of Baha Mar is the pool. It's just amazing. The Baha Mar has 7 pools, not including SLS & Rosewood. Each pools is slightly different from each other and you'll easily find one that fits you.

Individual restrooms and changing rooms.

There are several towel booths located throughout the pool area that offer water & Sun Bum sunblock at no extra charge.

Corn hole on the lawn.

Giant connect four.



There are a few water toys already out on the beach for all guest, but you can also grab a kayak, floating mat, snorkel gear, mini sail boats, etc.. at no extra charge.

There's also a UTV cart driving back and forth on the beach selling snacks and ice cream. Baha Mar is a cashless resort. So a lot of the things have to be charged or charged to the room. It varies depending on the shop. Starbucks, Swimming Pig, & the souvenir shop are the only 3 shops I believe that will accept cash. Most others have to be charged to the room. Anything that is opened to the public will take credit card like the resort restaurants. Anything that is specifically for guest will only take a room charge. Mainly the pool bar and pool food shacks. They wouldn't accept my credit card.

There was a guy selling coconuts by the beach. $10 each, but after you drank the coconut water you they would fill your coconut with an alcoholic beverage. Alcohol refills were $5.


Did a little gambling after the beach.





Then we hit the Regatta buffet for an early dinner.

The buffet was about $60 for father's day dinner.



BBQ ribs and oxtail

Basic buffet sushi

Fried whole fish



They also had lobster tail and grilled whole prawns. There was an abundance of it and never ran out. Also unlimited whole coconuts.


After dinner headed back to the room to get some rest since we've been up since our red eye flight.



Slept for a bit and got up for dinner at the Swimming Pig Gastro Pubwhich is open 24hrs.




Braised short rib nachos. Can never really go wrong with nachos.

Glazed ribs... I'd skip this one. Too much glaze and left a weird after taste.

Steamed mussels.. pretty good.

Fish and chips

Flat bread. Didn't taste as good as last time, but then again last time we were drunk.

Steak and eggs.

After dinner it was back to the casino floor.



Tried my hand at E-Craps and it took my money.




Our first day and I was having no luck gambling. It was taking more money than it was paying. Eventually ended up at Pai Gow for a few hours. Then headed up around 4:30 am. Everyone was asleep so I grabbed my camera gear and headed to the pool to snap some pics while it was empty.

Reflections pool. The first pool you'll encounter. Lined with cabanas and the end of the pool cascades to the pool below. Give you that infinity pool look. This pool has more of a luxury and quite feel to it. I didn't see many people in this pool.


Fortune pool. This pool is surround by these outlets with seating. Each outlets is covered by palm trees so they provide shade during the day. There's also a swim up bar. This one seemed to be the party pool, due to the ease of access to alcohol.

Fortune pool. The reflection pool is above and cascades into Fortune.

Elixir pool is just a normal pool, but has a center island with 3 lounge beds. This pool was rather warmer than the rest of the pools.

Out Island pool. This pool is somewhat connected to Dean's. This seem to be more of the family pool. Lots of kids, since it's so close to Dean's.

more Out Island

Dean's Blue Hole pool. Deepest of all the pools cause they ledges that you can dive from.

Grotto at Dean's has water fall and along the wall you can look into the sea life of the Sanctuary.
Nobody was around besides staff and security.

Dean's pool probably the most popular among family groups.




Drift pool has a few canopies surround the pool with water curtains. During the day water rains down the sides of the canopies.

Pier at Baha Mar where some of the boats for excursions dock. I did see a pamphlets at the concierge about Pig Island. The excursion was $400 per person. Seemed to be an all day thing.



Eventually made my way back to my room around 6 am.


That ends day one. Tomorrow it's off to Fish Fry.