Weekend Escape to the Bahamas

A November 2003 trip to Grand Bahama Island by Mary Porcher

The viewMore Photos

We found a last minute deal to an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas at a time when our lives were getting pretty difficult. So we reserved the trip, and five days later, we were on our way! It was an amazing escape, just what we needed.

  • 1 review
  • 4 photos
The view

This is the place to stay on Grand Bahama if you want peace and quiet, and if you don't desire to explore the city of Freeport and go shopping. There is a pristine beach here, which was sometimes nearly deserted in November. The views are superb, and a walk up or down the beach will offer different views of the island and the sunset.

Food and drinks are included in hotel cost, which is quite a deal if you are coming for relaxation and NOT gourmet cuisine. The food could be rated slightly better than your average cafeteria. They offer steak and grilled fish, but it was overcooked each time we had it. Still, there is a large selection of food, so no one will go hungry here. After dining hours, snacks are provided at the bar and at a special "late night snack bar."

The bar serves a wide variety of drinks, and the staff is friendly. It's a nice place to come after a long day on the beach to sit back. Bring your own deck of cards and a travel mug! The small plastic cups they use make frequent trips to the bar a necessity.

Guests are provided with a "towel pass" and receive one beach towel each day, which they must turn in at the end of the day. There is a medium-sized pool, which we didn't use, because the ocean was so clear and warm. Organized pool games go on during the day. The hotel provides free kayaks and snorkeling gear, but you may want to venture out to snorkel a larger reef or go parasailing. These activities can be booked with Kayak Nature Tours at a desk near the dining hall. Because all of the meals and drinks are included, the only money we spent was on a couple of activities, and we didn't regret it! They offered a chance to talk with local guides and see different areas of the island.

We had a basic room, and I certainly wouldn't call the accommodations or amenities luxurious. However, if you're going for the ocean and the sun, the room provides just what's needed -- we could hear the waves in our room all night. The shower (no tub) is large enough for two to use, and it has great water pressure and temperature. The floors are tiled, and some tiles are discolored from salt water. There is cable for the weather reports, and enough room to hang clothes and store luggage without tripping over anything. Housekeeping came by daily and kept things clean. Only "shampooing shower gel" is provided, so you'll need to bring your own if you want your hair to look decent. We made the mistake of assuming that an all-inclusive resort would provide small bottles of shampoo and conditioner!

  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Mary Porcher on November 27, 2003

Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach
Doubloon Road & Churchill Drive Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
(242) 373-4000

About the Writer

Mary Porcher
Mary Porcher
New Haven, Connecticut

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