The Caribbean boasts no shortage of sandy beaches, deep-blue waters, and ways to relax and take things a bit slower. But it's also full of travel options for cutting-edge meetings, with new properties and exciting developments that are anything but laid-back.
Look no further than the Bahamas. The big news in this destination is the opening of Baha Mar in the Bahama capital of Nassau. The $4.2 billion, 1,000-acre multi-property resort has taken more than a decade to open its doors, but finally held its official ribbon cutting on April 21. It encompasses three hotel brands -- Grand Hyatt, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, and SLS Hotels -- with a total of 2,300 rooms (1,800 of which are part of the Grand Hyatt). A fourth hotel, the 694-room Meliá Nassau Beach, is expected to join these once it completes renovations.
The Baha Mar also boasts a huge amount of meeting and convention space, including the 200,000-square-foot Baha Mar Convention, Art and Entertainment Center, as well as an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Royal Blue Golf Club and 100,000-square-foot Baha Mar Casino (the Caribbean's largest). All three of these venues, along with the Grand Hyatt and a number of restaurants, retailers, pools, and spa offerings, were completed as part of phase one of the resort. Phase two will see the debut of the 300-room SLS property this fall, followed by the final phase, introducing the enhanced and expanded 200-room Rosewood Baha Mar in spring 2018. Plans are under way for a private island that can be used for group events as well.
But while this is the news-grabbing headline, it's not all that's happening in the destination.
"We have 16 different islands that have 16 types of experiences," says Bradley Bosfield, general manager of groups for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. "It's always a good time to travel to the Bahamas, depending on what the client is looking for."
For example, the island of Bimini, just a 20-minute seaplane flight from Miami, recently saw the opening of Resorts World Bimini. The 750-acre property of sprawling beachfront includes the 305-room Hilton at Resorts World Bimini, as well as six private condos and villas. It offers six new restaurants and lounges, overseen by Hung Huynh (season three winner of Top Chef), as well as 10,000 square feet of meeting space, a large shopping and dining promenade, and four pools (including a rooftop infinity pool with 360-degree island views). For those looking to get out on the water, the property boasts fishing charters for groups, as well as the largest marina in the Bahamas.
The end of March saw the grand opening of Warwick Paradise Island -- Bahamas. The 250-room, all-inclusive, adults-only property includes a spacious boardroom and a 10,000-square-foot Sunset Terrace and Boardwalk on the harbor.
Big things are happening at Atlantis, Paradise Island resort, as well. This July it will unveil a complete renovation of its Coral Towers, with new rooms and suites, a redesigned lobby, and a sparkling new blue-and-white poolscape with private cabanas. The property is also unveiling a new Marina Village where local artisans sell their wares and guests can try craft beer and conch salad made on the island.