Cable Beach

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A Wonderful Week in the Bahamas

A July 2005 trip to Cable Beach by landrie

View from the poolMore Photos

My wife and I flew from Atlanta to New Providence, while my daughter flew from Seattle. We rendezvoused at the Nassau airport to begin an enchanted week at one of my favorite places in the Caribbean.

  • 12 reviews
  • 37 photos

A Wonderful Week in the BahamasBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Pool bar
We would start a day with a ham-and-cheese croissant and some fruit from Crystal Sweets or a big breakfast at Johnny Canoe's. Then we would head to the pool or the beach for some sun, swimming, and tropical drinks. Lunch was usually back at Johnny Canoe's, and then we would head to Paradise Island or downtown Nassau to shop and see the sights. Atlantis is definitely worth visiting, and for a good meal in town, we loved Cafe Matisse.

Quick Tips:

There are several coupon books and excellent maps available in most of the shops and also a bunch of brochures at the concierge and downstairs behind the escalators.

Best Way To Get Around:

We enjoyed taxi rides to and from the airport, for getting to Paradise Island, and for getting back to the resort in the evening. Most drivers are very good tour guides as well and quite familiar with the Bahamas and their history. We took the no. 10 bus to town several times, but catching it back to the resort is a long and scary ride through the poorer parts of the island.

Wyndham Cable BeachBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

The suite
Because our room wasn't ready and we made a fuss, the first night they put us in a corner suite. The view was incredible and the room was spacious, with a Jacuzzi. The next morning, we moved from the H tower to the J tower, to the ninth floor. The room was fine, with two double beds, another beautiful view, and a deck. The toilet/shower/tub area was separate from the double-sink dressing area, which was nice. A small refrigerator came in handy. The maid was timely and thorough.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Wyndham Cable Beach
West Bay Street at Cable Beach Cable Beach, Bahamas
(242) 327-6200

Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace CasinoBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Wyndham Nassau Resort"

View from the pool
Best Things Nearby:
Paradise Island, Atlantis, Blue Lagoon Island, downtown Nassau, beaches everywhere, Johnny Canoe's restaurant, and the straw market

Best Things About the Resort:
The view from the rooms, the pool, the slide, the beach, the shops, Crystal Sweets for easy treats, the buffet, and the casino

Resort Experience:
People say it's seen a better day, but we found it to be clean, comfortable, and enjoyable. The worst part was getting a room. The front desk refers you to a Royal Holiday agent, and they can't seem to get you a room. We arrived at 6pm and were told our room wouldn't be ready for an hour. At 7pm, we were told our room wouldn't be ready for another hour and were given a free dinner as a goodwill gesture. By 8:30pm, the Royal Holiday folks had deserted us. The front desk finally gave us a suite but told us we had to come back the next morning to be moved. The next morning, we were moved to a dirty room. The rest of the week was fabulous, so it was a shame to start out this way.

  • Unit Type: Studio
  • Activities: Good
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Fair
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by landrie on July 11, 2005

Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino
West Bay Street At Cable Beach Nassau, Bahamas
+242-327-6200

AtlantisBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

My wife and I
Best Things Nearby:
Atlantis seems to be a destination all its own. We didn't stay there, but we did take the tour of the Lagoon Tunnel and the Dig.

Best Things About the Resort:
The total layout is astounding, with huge aquariums, glorious architecture, interior decorating, and landscaping.

Resort Experience:
We were awestruck. The tour begins with the Lagoon Tunnel, which seems like not enough for the price of the tour, but then we wondered to the casino and on to the Dig, which is much better than the Lagoon Tunnel. From there we wondered around the grounds and really couldn't believe our eyes. The waterfalls, the beaches, and sculptures are breathtaking. We make our way back through the shops and rested for a nice lunch before catching a cab back to our own comfortable place.

  • Unit Type: Other
  • Activities: Excellent
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Good
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Atlantis
Paradise Island Cable Beach, Bahamas

Café Johnny CanoeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Johnny Canoes"

Daughter
This was our favorite place to eat. I grossed my daughter out by starting with a conch salad. It's really more of a cold tomato/onion soup with (raw?) conch parts floating in it, and a bit chewy, but I was determined to try the local fare. She enjoyed their club sandwich and salad, fish sandwich, and French toast, but her favorite was the local dessert, Guava Duff. The atmosphere of this place is colorful, friendly, and full of Junkanoo spirit.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Café Johnny Canoe
Nassau Beach Hotel West Bay Street Cable Beach, Bahamas
(242) 327-3373

Cafe MatisseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

http://www.cafe-matisse.com/
We had reservations at 6pm but had become hot and bothered from shopping. I walked up Bank Lane, passed the police station, and saw what appeared to be a hole-in-the-wall place with a faded awning. But when I opened the door, I was amazed. What a lovely, cool place full of Matisse! It was only 5:15pm, and they obviously weren't open for business, but the bartender graciously invited us to sit down, relax, and cool off with a glass of wine or tropical delight. Dinner was astounding. I started with a parmesan appetizer that was thick, rich, and warm. My daughter had the best grilled snapper over spinach in a sauce that was the perfect compliment. I had a delicious crab risotto, and my wife, who doesn't eat much, had a fabulous vegetable soup.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Cafe Matisse
Bank Lane, just behind Parliament St. Nassau, Bahamas
+242-356-7012

Crystal SweetsBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This place is handy and tasty. We got an ice cream the first night and frequently got breakfast from here. Ham-and-cheese croissant, fresh fruit, oatmeal, and pastries are all available and quite good.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Crystal Sweets
Marriot Crystal Palace Cable Beach, Bahamas
+1 242 327 6200

Seaside BuffetBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

The only reason we ate here was because we got several free dinners from the hotel for our room not being ready and from some beach folks who left before using their coupons. This is a very nice buffet with wonderful choices. I pigged out on the smoked salmon and shrimp and enjoyed a variety of veggies and fruit. Entrees change daily and desserts are good too. Watch for coupons for half off on certain nights of the week.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Seaside Buffet
Marriot Crystal Palace Cable Beach, Bahamas
+1 242 337 6200

Dolphin EncountersBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Swim with the Dolphins"

Dolphin Kiss
It was unbelievable. I was an observer for $20, and my wife and daughter swam with, hugged, kissed, fed, danced, and got a thrilling foot-push ride from the dolphins. They were all smiles. I was able to photograph most of what was going on, and the facility provides a complete video of your personal experience for $48 and also snapshots as well.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Dolphin Encounters
P.O. Box SS 6257 Nassau, Bahamas
+242-363-1003

Cable BeachBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Beaching"

Daughter at the beach
Lots of palm trees and a large lagoon. A few steps away is another beach swimming area where you can swim, snorkel, catch a parasail ride, rent a jet ski, play volleyball, or catch a boat to another island. Drinks are delivered from the Flamingo Bar and Grill.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Cable Beach
Cable Beach Cable Beach, Bahamas

Senor Frog'sBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Wife and daughter
After shopping at the straw market and getting a little overheated, we thought we would slip into Senor Frog's for a cool one. It was crowded and not very cool, but quite rowdy. It took quite awhile to get a drink, and we didn't stay long.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Senor Frog's
Slot # 443 Cable Beach, Bahamas
(242) 323-1777

Straw MarketBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Entering the market
It's crowded, it's hot, and it's full of merchandise. If you're patient, you can get a reasonable price. We bought stuff for the kids and gifts for relatives. My daughter fell in love with a colorful basket/purse, and after starting at around $30, she eventually got it for $15.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by landrie on July 12, 2005

Straw Market
Bay Street Cable Beach, Bahamas

About the Writer

landrie
landrie
Atlanta, ---

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