Editor's Choice: Cottage Colonies

Cottage Colonies are separate cottages or villas, with maid service, surrounding a main clubhouse with a bar and dining room. They are not equipped with kitchenette or cooking facilities, although some have facilities for preparing drinks and light snacks. They offer the facilities of a hotel, such as a private beach/swimming pool.

There are luxury hotels offering full porter, bell and room service, planned activities, sports, shops and beauty salons, swimming pools and entertainment; some have a private beach, golf course and tennis courts. The small hotels are more informal and while activities are less extensive, they usually offer a dining room and bar.

Bahamian guest houses are less expensive than hotels. Many offer room-only board, but there are plenty of restaurants to choose from. The Out Islands' hotels are small with a casual atmosphere. About 50 small hotels and guest houses are promoted as Small Treasures of the Bahamas by the Ministry of Tourism and are regularly inspected.

These consist of apartment units with complete kitchen and maid service. Other hotel facilities (ie swimming pool, sporting activities, restaurant and bar, etc) are normally available on the premises.

Apartment/cottage units have complete kitchen facilities and some have maid service. Generally, there are no restaurant facilities and guests are required to prepare their own meals. A few are situated in landscaped estates with their own beach, much like the cottage colonies but without the main clubhouse.

Camping is not permitted on any of the islands of The Bahamas.

The Bahamas Hotel Association
SG Hambros Building, Goodman's Bay, PO Box N-7799, Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: 322 8381/2.
Website: www.bhahotels.com