Bahamas Out Island Press Releases

Thousands of rooms coming on board in The Bahamas in 2014 and many new flights to accommodate travel to the destination

NASSAU, The Bahamas - The perpetual sunshine weather of The Bahamas, makes it the ideal destination for those seeking, fun, excitement, adventure or just getting away for relaxation. The Islands of The Bahamas offers beautiful beaches, endless outdoor activities and opportunities to do it all or simply lie on the powdery sand beaches, tanning and “doing… nothing at all.”

RESORTS:

Nassau

Meliá Hotels International - On December 1st, 2013, Meliá took over the operation of the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort, formerly The Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. The Meliá has signed an agreement to operate the all-inclusive Meliá at Baha Mar, in the luxury leisure development Baha Mar. The Meliá Resort features 694 rooms and multiple spaces for meetings and conventions and will be executing a renewal plan that will be completed by December 2014, without any interruption to the guest experience. Upon completion of renovations and simultaneously with the opening of Baha Mar, it will be renamed Meliá at Baha Mar. For more information, visit bahamar.com/welcome-to-the-new-riviera

Baha Mar – Set to open December 2014, The Bahamas newest luxury lifestyle destination will offer more than 2,900 hotel rooms and residences, overlooking a white sandy beach and pristine turquoise waters. The $3.5 billion (U.S.) investment, now include five hotels, private residences, gaming, golf, shopping, entertainment, and natural attractions. In addition to Meliá at Baha Mar, the stunning portfolio of Baha Mar properties will feature other prestigious international brands including Rosewood Hotels & Resorts®, Mondrian, and Grand Hyatt, all anchored by its impressive centerpiece, The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel

World-class amenities include the 100,000 square foot casino, an 18-hole, 72-par Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, and ESPA spa and more than a dozen stunning pools.  A dedicated on-site convention center will be the cornerstone for the approximately 200,000 square feet devoted to meeting and conventions facilities.  For more information, visit bahamar.com/welcome-to-the-new-riviera/

Mahogany Hill Hotel - Situated on the western end of New Providence, the $23 million boutique hotel project, Mahogany Hill will provide a setting of intimacy away from the city. Construction on the development in New Providence Island started in August of 2013 and is expected to be completed within 18 months. The hotel will have 33 rooms for guests – as well as a spa, pool, theatre, and restaurant. The Bahamian owned property is also set to feature cultural entertainment and will boast a collection of Bahamian artwork only on display throughout the hotel. mahogany-house.com

Grand Bahama

Memories Grand Bahama Beach & Casino Resort - The property (formerly Reef at Grand Lucayan) opened its doors in early February. The resort experienced a multimillion dollar rebuild, transforming the beachfront hotel into a 5* deluxe all-inclusive designed resort for families, couples and golf enthusiasts. Memories will boast 460 suites and a wide variety of facilities including a modern sports bar, 5 unique dining experiences, teen’s club, kids club with a themed aqua park, Golf and a Casino. .  For more information, visit memoriesresorts.com

Out Islands

Resorts World Bimini – This resort is a 350 room luxury marina hotel, scheduled for completion Spring of 2014. The new contemporary-Bahamian style hotel will offer luxury accommodations with water views and sit adjacent to the newly opened Resorts World Bimini Casino.  It will feature 300 hotel rooms and another 50 garden villa suites. For more information, visit rwbimini.com

AIRLIFT:

Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) – Wednesday, Oct. 23, marked the completion of a four-year, $409 million redevelopment of The Bahamas’ largest airport with the official opening of its new terminal for domestic flights and international departures. The new 606,000 sq. ft. LPIA is capable of accommodating 50 percent more passengers (more than 5 million each year), who can now enjoy 24 retail locations and 16 restaurants, bars and lounges. Outside, the additional one million sq. ft. of aircraft operating surface has the capacity for large aircraft, including the A380 jumbo airliner.

Delta Airlines new Atlanta/GB Direct Service – Starting December 19th, traveling to The Bahamas was made easier than ever with Delta’s new daily nonstop flights between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Freeport Grand Bahama Island International Airport (FPO). The new service connects those traveling from or through Atlanta to The Bahamas in two hours as well as direct flights and smooth connections back to the U.S.

Additionally, Delta Air Lines recently announced nonstop Saturday service to NAS from Detroit (DTW) and Minneapolis (MSP). The service from DTW will begin on December 21, 2013 and run through August 2014, while the service from MSP will begin on February 15, 2014 and run through March 29, 2014. For more information, visit delta.com

Bahamasair new non-stop flight between West Palm Beach (PBI) and Nassau (NAS) began November 10th using Palm Beach International Airport (PBI). The airline is using its 50-seat aircraft and flight details include the Schedule of Mondays / Thursdays & Sundays NAS to PBI: Depart at12:45PM and Arrive at 1:45PM; PBI to NAS: Depart at 2:30PM and Arrive at 3:30PM. To check fares, flight availability and to book online, visit bahamasair.com.

United Airlines - On December 19, 2013 began the expansion of its nonstop flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) from one to four flights per week. United Airlines flight 5494 will depart Chicago O'Hare at 8:50am, arriving in Nassau at 12:59pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  United Airlines will also offer return service on these same days via flight 5495 departing Nassau at 1:50pm, arriving to Chicago O'Hare at 4:16pm. Nonstop service from Chicago O'Hare to Nassau was previously offered on Saturdays only. For more information, visit www.united.com/

Silver Airways - The airline recently announced the addition of exciting new international destinations and enhanced domestic air travel options that began November 21, 2013. The carrier will launch new nonstop service from West Palm Beach to North Eleuthera and Freeport in The Bahamas. Silver Airways will be JetBlue's 30th airline partner, bringing many new destinations in Florida and The Bahamas within reach for JetBlue's customers including Key West, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Bimini, Grand Bahama (Freeport), The Eleutheras (Governor's Harbor and North Eleuthera), The Abacos (Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay) and Great Exuma (Georgetown). http://www.silverairways.com/

Sunwing Airlines - This winter, sun seekers, golfers and families can escape to Grand Bahama courtesy of Sunwing as the tour operator has announced new direct service to this island paradise from 6 cities across Canada. Starting January 16th, 2014, Sunwing will be offering weekly winter service from Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton to Freeport, Grand Bahama, along with year round flights from Toronto. All Sunwing Vacations direct flights and packages to Grand Bahama include "Champagne Service", which features hot towel service, a choice of hot meals at lunch and dinner served with a choice of wine, and complimentary in-flight entertainment, including first run movies, as well as a generous 20kg baggage allowance. For more information or to book your Grand Bahama vacation,
visit www.sunwing.ca or contact your local travel agent

NEW PROGRAMS AND ADVENTURES:

Graycliff ‘Heritage Village’ – Graycliff Hotel has begun the $25 million revitalization of the historic West Hill Street – including an old convent, its chapel and the former Mountbatten home - into a pedestrians-only, old town experience with cobble stone streets. The iconic luxury Nassau hotel has introduced Humidor Piazza to West Hill Street, featuring Giotto Pizzeria and the Beer Garden – this in addition to the existing Humidor Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse. The property has also opened Graycliff Chocolatier, an on-site chocolate factory and Graycliff Coffee, a visitor-oriented coffee roasting company. Plans for a barista café and bistro, space for local artisans and a new 75-room hotel have also been announced. For more information, visit http://www.graycliff.com.

John Watling’s Distillery – John Watling’s, the Spirit of The Bahamas, welcomes guests for a
complimentary tour at its home, the Buena Vista Estate, in Downtown Nassau. The historic Estate,
founded in 1789 and overlooking the harbour, is the site where Bahamians hand-craft JOHN
WATLING’S small-batch Pale, Amber and Buena Vista rums. At the Estate, John Watling’s
features a museum-like tour, shopping and signature Bahamian cocktails at its Red
Turtle Tavern. Within walking distance from the cruise ship port, John Watling’s Distillery is
located on Delancy Street and is open from 9am-5pm, seven days a week. For more information
visit us at www.johnwatlings.com / or facebook.com/johnwatlings.

Bay Street Marina - A new $6 million state-of-the-art Bay Street Marina, in the heart of historic Nassau, offers a 90-slip facility capable of handling vessels up to 150 feet in length. The marina, located on Nassau Harbour, also have a floating dock for temporary tie-ups for restaurant-goers arriving by boat. Bay Street Marina rates are $2.50 per ft/per day with long-term leases available through Bahamas Marina Management Co. For more information, visit http://www.baystreetmarina.com.

The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone from Nassau and Paradise Island to Grand Bahama to The Abaco Islands, The Exuma Islands, Harbour Island, Long Island and others. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world’s best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It’s Better in The Bahamas. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Jeannie Gibson
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
(954) 236-9292
jgibson@bahamas.com