"From the moment we arrived in Nassau, Bahamas, we felt welcomed by the island's warm hospitality. From the steel drum band playing upbeat songs in the airport to the excellent customer service received at the British Colonial Hilton, our arrival was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
We cannot say enough good things about the British Colonial Hilton. The rooms were well appointed, the garden grounds were gorgeously kept complete with cosy hammocks, and the beach was a slice of paradise. We enjoyed the in-hotel restaurant (Portofino's) on many occasions, appreciating the freshness and variety of the foods available. We explored downtown Nassau on foot and were delighted by the candy-colored colonial-style buildings, the world-class shopping on Bay Street, and the local dining establishments (Conch Fritters, Senor Frogs, Luciano's). We also took in some of the local historical sites such as Fort Fincastle, the Queen's Staircase, and Balcony House (the oldest wooden building in Nassau), along with viewing the beautiful old churches and the public library that was once a prison.
From our hotel we overlooked Nassau's Bay, which welcomes the major cruise liners into port. The towering ships would glide silently by, truly a surreal sight. We could also see the pink Atlantis hotel complex across the Bay on Paradise Island.
Our main reason for traveling to Bahamas was for the purpose of getting married - we wanted to exchange vows on the beach at sunset with the waves lapping at our toes... the weather had other plans. Although we did not get our beach wedding, the hotel staff at the British Colonial, along with our charismatic Minister, executed a lovely ceremony indoors amidst a grand piano, huge beach facing windows and tasteful floral arrangements. Everything from going to the Registrar's Office to apply for our marriage license to saying "I do" went smoothly. My wedding bouquet was exactly what I had envisioned, pale yellow and cream roses interspersed with blue hydrangea, tied together with a cream satin bow. The wedding cake baked by The Cake Box was amazingly moist and delicious, so much so that we brought the leftovers with us on the turbo-prop plane to Grand Bahama the next day.
Getting married in Nassau was a wonderful experience that we will cherish forever. The location of our Honeymoon was Lucaya on the island of Grand Bahama. We stayed at The GRAND LUCAYAN, a Radisson Resort. The grounds were sprawling and the beach front was impressive. The only thing on our schedules was how best to relax and recharge and this island was made for those pursuits. We had access to three pools, two of which were infinity pools, hot tubs, and countless cushioned lounge chairs situated across the property on which to suntan, read or enjoy the view. The variety of on-site restaurants was great and we also discovered many tasty options across the street from the resort complex in the straw market and shopping area.
We loved seeing the Grand Bahama wildlife including the white-capped pigeon, a hermit crab, a multitude of little lizards and herons that ate them. One of the highlights of the trip was swimming in the ocean. The water was clear and warm and we could see schools of tiny minnows circling us.
On the last leg of our trip, back in Nassau, we were lucky enough to see a small stingray, some brightly-colored tropical fish, scuttling sand crabs, and collect some washed-up coral pieces and shells. To wind down in the evenings we poured ourselves a glass of red wine and were treated to snacks in the executive lounge on the top floor of the British Colonial. From there we relaxed on one of the balcony's overlooking the garden and beach, watching the sunset and planning our activities for the next day.
Overall, we had a fantastic time during our stay in The Bahamas and would recommend it as a travel destination to our friends and family."
Aislinn Laffan and David Roland Smith
View photos from our wedding and honeymoon album.
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