Goldwynn Resort and Residences Review: Oceanfront Luxury in The Bahamas

The writer was hosted.

At Goldwynn Resort and Residences, the “ahhhh” starts at check-in when one of the friendly and efficient front desk workers offers you a glass of Prosecco to sip while you check in. It continues as you’re walked to the elevators, past walls adorned with local Bahamian art. And it hits home when you open the door to your suite and the sheers part while the blackout shade rises in a dramatic reveal of your room.

Goldwynn, a boutique all-suites hotel that opened on Cable Beach in February 2023, aims for luxury, honors the warm and colorful culture of its adopted Bahamian home, and offers an overall feeling of low-key elegance.

Read More: Complete Guide for First Timers Visiting The Bahamas

Highlights of Goldwynn Resort and Residences

• All suites hotel with large rooms, kitchen or kitchenettes, and comfy king beds
• Beachfront location on Cable Beach in Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas
• Each suite has a private balcony with glass enclosure that doesn’t disrupt the view
• Each room comes with two high-quality refillable water bottles and filtered water as part of the hotel’s sustainability mission
• Luxe spa that offers an array of unique curated massage and facial experiences, including couples massages
• Three restaurants offering a yummy “MediterAsian” cuisine
• A beautiful infinity pool with plenty of poolside loungers and umbrellas as well as cabanas for rent
• Soft white sand beach with warm ocean breezes and more sun loungers and beach umbrellas
• Public areas adorned with photographs, ceramics and sculpture art created by local Bahamian artists
• Wristband that doubles as your room key so there’s no need to keep track of a keycard
• High-quality free wifi throughout the resort

Guestrooms

My studio suite included a large bedroom, kitchenette with a microwave, minifridge, cooktop, dishwasher, toaster and espresso maker. (Sadly for a tea drinker like me, the tea options were limited and basic.)

The bathroom in my suite was small – so small that there wasn’t room to keep the bathroom amenities – shaving kit, sewing kit, hair dryer, and bathroom scale – out in view. I found them tucked inside the vanity cabinet.

The bedroom had a comfy king bed, sofa bed couch with a chaise and plenty of couch pillows, a small table where I ate my room service dinner, 55-inch flat-screen TV with many cable channels, including broadcast network affiliates from Miami and HBO movie channels.

Plus, each suite has a balcony with large, cushy chairs. My suite had a golf course view. The golf view suites are the base room type and the most popular option, but I definitely recommend upgrading to an oceanfront studio. There is simply no comparison between the zen experience of an ocean view suite looking out over the aqua waters of the Caribbean Sea and the golf view across a busy road to the sand traps of a golf course.

Other Guestroom Options

Room categories at this 81-suite property range from 530-square-foot studios to the 1,950-square-foot Goldwynn Suite. Each unit is slightly different (for example, some studios have larger bathrooms than the tiny one in my unit). The Edge suites come with a butler. A 78-unit tower is currently under construction.

The room options are:

Ocean Front Studios – average size is 530 square feet with a king bed and queen pull-out sofa, full bath and kitchenette

Premium Studio Suites – average size 730 feet with a king bed and queen pull-out sofa, these suites face west, offering a front-row seat to the beautiful Bahamian sunsets

Golf View Studios – average size is 560 square feet but the golf course view is far less special than an ocean view or even a west view of the sunset

One-Bedroom Ocean Front Suites – average size is 820 square feet with a king bed in a separate room and a queen pull-out sofa in the main room, along with a full kitchen and double vanity in the bathroom

One Bedroom Golf View Suites – average size is 1,040 square feet with a king bed in a separate room and a queen pull-out sofa in the main room, along with a full kitchen and double vanity in the bathroom

Premium One Bedroom Suites – average size is 690 square feet with a king bed in a separate room and a queen pull-out sofa in the main room, along with a full kitchen, double vanity in the bathroom and an island view

Two Bedroom Ocean Front Suites – more than 1,000 square feet of space, with a king bed and private bath in one room and a queen bed and private bath in the other along with a queen sofa pull-out in the main living space

Two Bedroom Golf View Suites – more than 1,000 square feet of space, with a king bed and private bath in one room and a queen bed and private bath in the other along with a queen sofa pull -out in the main living space and two balconies overlooking the golf course

Two Bedroom Edge Suites – 1,200-square-foot corner suites with breathtaking 270-degree views of the ocean and the island, large private balcony, full kitchen, breakfast bar, dining room and two bathrooms

Three Bedroom Ocean Front Suites – a 1,626-square-foot second-floor suite that combines a three-bedroom suite with a studio to get uninterrupted ocean views

Three Bedroom Edge Suites – 1,700 square feet with butler service, three bedrooms, three baths and 900 square feet of outdoor living space with incredible 270-degree views of the ocean and the island

The Goldwynn Suite – a stunning 1,940-square-foot corner suite with three bedrooms, three baths and two kitchens, 1,100 square feet of outdoor space, butler service and the option for private chef dining

The Rhizophora Spa

The spa is small with only three treatment rooms, so make your spa appointment at the same time you make your hotel reservations because you won’t want to miss the unique massage and facial treatments.

Created by the spa owner, a local who contracts with the hotel as part of Goldwynn’s commitment to partnering with Bahamian businesses, the 80-minute East Meets West massage I had was equal parts invigorating and relaxing. It combines elements of a hot stone massage, body brushing, a foot scrub, reflexology, yogic stretches and breathing and then caps it all off with a delicious deep tissue massage.

I know. It sounds like a lot. But the combination is nothing short of miraculous.

My massage therapist, Nestaea Sealy, found muscle knots I didn’t even know I had and released them. The room was chilly, but the heated massage table and three blankets kept me warm.

The experience was so wonderful that I returned the next day so she could give me a facial. It was a similarly unique experience – more massage of my face, neck and shoulders than applications of the VOYA and Biologique Recherche products to my face. Different, but terrific.

The spa also offers specially curated pre-natal massages for babymooners, and “touch awareness” treatments for guests who are undergoing chemo treatments and special massage packages for premenopausal women.

Dining at Goldwynn Resort

It’s a small resort – 81 suites now, with another 78 being built in a tower next door – so there are a limited number of dining options. Since every unit has a kitchenette or a full kitchen outfitted with pans, utensils and dishes, you certainly could cook in your room.

But why would you when Chef Bak, an Uzbekistan native who now makes The Bahamas his home, is there to cook for you?

OIA is open for dinner and breakfast, Amara serves lunch at the bar or at your lounge chair around the pool or on the beach, Atria is open all day serving coffee and delectable pastries under an immense sculpture, and Bar Paul (named for the owner, Paul Wynn) serves signature cocktails.

I was a little disappointed to see that the hotel’s sustainability mission does not extend to the restaurants. Our water was served from plastic bottles. But our drinks were served with high-quality paper straws.

• OIA

Dinner our first night was a chef’s choice tasting menu of his “MediterAsian” cuisine.

The sushi is just as good as the Wagyu beef, which was just as good as the lobster pasta which was just as good as the fresh-made ceviche.

I recommend sharing so you can taste more of the options (be sure to ask about off-menu specials!). Start with one or two tapas, (try the shishito peppers and charred cauliflower), then move on to a sushi roll followed by an entree (the sea bass is the best I’ve ever eaten).

And you’ll definitely want to save room for dessert. There, it’s tough to choose a favorite, but the Japanese sweet potato cheesecake beats the Yuzu key lime pie by a nose.

• Amara

The casual fare here includes a short list of sushi, a specialty burger and, my favorite, the crispy grouper gyros served on “basement bakery” pita made in the hotel’s bakery (located in the basement, hence the name).

The guacamole is particularly tasty, as is the sea salt edamame.

• Atria

I was disappointed with the tea selection here – they were out of stock on my favorite – oolong tea – but the bakery choices were delectable.

• Bar Paul

Named after the owner, the list of specialty cocktails includes concoctions created by the bar’s talented mixologists in his honor.

Things to Do at and Near Goldwynn Resort & Residences

Enjoy the Beach

The soft white sand beach, gentle waves and warm ocean breezes make for a laid-back spot. The resort does a great job of keeping the beach clean – Goldwynn employees even clean the public beach next door. It’s a lovely walk in the morning.

The roped-off swimming area is small, but it’s a way to keep guests safe from the jet skiers who roar across the water just outside the ropes. Floats are tethered just offshore for snoozing and sunbathing and kayaks, paddleboards and individual floats are available on the beach.

I tried the kayaks but found it a little boring to stay inside the confined space – and a little scary to venture beyond the ropes and kayak in the path of those jet skis.

The resort also has snorkeling gear – masks, snorkels and fins – for guests to use to peer beneath the surface of the water to watch the sea turtles, rays and fish dart in and out of the sea grass. The Caribbean Sea is so clear that I was able to see the turtles and fish without a snorkeling mask and a friend spotted a ray while she was swimming, sans mask and fins.

There are plenty of lounge chairs on the Goldwynn beach and plenty of beach umbrellas to shade you from the strong Bahamian sun. Beach towels are available at the pool and servers take orders and deliver drinks and lunch to the poolside and beachfront loungers.

Take a Dip in the Pool

The inviting heated infinity pool is the centerpiece of the hotel. I was surprised to find I often had the pool to myself and it never felt crowded.

The pool is surrounded by plenty of sun loungers – including a half dozen placed in the shallow sections of the pool – as well as six cabanas available for rent that come complete with a television, comfy chairs and a minifridge.

One of the cabanas is set up each afternoon with games such as backgammon and chess. It’s a nice respite when you need a little time out of the sun.

Admire the Artwork

When he was conceptualizing the condo hotel, owner Paul Wynn said he wanted it to have a “Bahamian sense of place.” A partnership with the Bahamas’ thriving art community did the trick.

The public areas of the hotel are adorned with incredible works of art commissioned by the hotel. From ceramic pieces modeled on the Caribbean reefs to a six-story sculpture that soars over the Atria coffee bar to collections of photographs (some artistic, some historic), the artwork demands contemplation. I found myself drawn to the art. It forced me to slow down and leave my Type A life behind, at least for a few minutes.

Don’t miss the Bahamian sayings installation created by Bahamas local Dionne Benjamin Smith, who supplied a handy translation guide as well. It’s sure to bring a smile to your face to learn local colloquialisms such as “Hog know where to rub skin” which refers to someone who knows the type of people he can mess with, or that “so gravalicious” refers to someone who is very greedy.

Play Games

Check the listing in the lobby to see what’s happening when – there might be a backgammon or chess board set up in a cabana or a giant Connect Four game waiting for someone interested in a game.  

I was disappointed to learn that the yoga classes promised on the website were not being offered when I visited.

Get Active

There is an impressive gym on site, but there also are myriad ways to get active outdoors in nature. The resort offers non-motorized water sports equipment – kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear and floats – free to guests.

I recommend the snorkeling gear to look for turtles, starfish and other sea life that live near the hotel.

Play Golf

I’m not a golfer, so I can’t say whether the Royal Blue golf course at Baha Mar is a good one. But I can say that the golfers I watched from my balcony seemed to be enjoying themselves! If golf is your thing, the Royal Blue offers discounted golf rates for Goldwynn guests. Ask the front desk for more information.

Book a Tour

The hotel’s mission to partner with locals includes tours that take guests out to see the island.

We were treated to a Chippie’s tour – a fun open-air electric bus driven by the bubbly Fontella Chipman Rolle, the granddaughter of a Nassau dignitary. As she drove us around town, she shared tidbits of history and local stories in between greeting just about every Bahamian we passed – “Hey, boyfriend!” “Hi, Cousin!” “Hello, Mama!”

It was exactly the sort of tour I love. It showed us the highlights, including the new $300 million port that serves the cruise ships that are the lifeblood of Nassau.

And she took us “ovah da hill” to see the island’s real life – the neighborhoods where Nassau residents live and the public school Fontella attended when she was 5. And it included a stop at her cousin’s business, the Is What It Is, for some Sky Juice – a local concoction of gin, sweet condensed milk and coconut water. This is not to be missed.

Shop Like a Cruiser

Nassau’s cruise port got a $300 million facelift just in time for The Bahamas’ 50th birthday celebration and it’s definitely worth a visit.

The port is filled with shops showcasing local Bahamian crafts and art (I got some beautifully painted earrings for the rock-bottom price of $42 USD). And, across the street, you’ll find the local straw market filled with locals selling hats, toys, bags and other cruise-friendly merchandise.

Dine Like a Local

Another of the hotel’s local partners, Sopapilla, is a fine dining establishment in an old family home where the piano player knows how to entertain a crowd (Sweet Caroline is always a sing-along hit!) and the waiters prepare everything from Caesar’s Salad to Bananas Foster tableside.

If you want to eat there – and you definitely should! – let the concierge know. They will book a table and the restaurant will send a car to pick you up and return you after dinner is done.

For a true Bahamian experience, head to a Fish Fry. That’s a blocks-long area filled with local divey diners serving Bahamian specialties such as peas and rice. We stopped at Goldies Conch House and ate until we could barely move.

Visit the Water Park

If you’re visiting Nassau with kids, chances are they will want to spend a day at the Baha Mar waterpark. Guests of Goldwynn Resort & Residences get discounted admission to the Baha Bay waterpark. Ask the front desk for more information.

Goldwynn Resort FAQs

Is there a resort fee at Goldwynn Resorts & Residences?

Yes. It’s $85 [+VAT] per suite, per night and includes:

• Wifi for up to 6 devices
• Non-motorized water sports: Kayaks, Paddle boards, snorkeling gear and floats
• 24-hour fitness center
• In-suite filtered water
• Unlimited local calls
• Valet parking

Can I have my room stocked with groceries prior to my arrival?

Yes. The resort has preferred vendors that will shop and deliver groceries to your suite on the day you check in.

What’s included in a suite at Goldwynn Resort?

All suites include:

• Fully equipped kitchenette (studios) or full kitchens (1-, 2- and 3–bedroom suites)
• Coffee maker
• Furnished balcony
• Free high-quality wifi
• Smart TV with premium channels)
• Full-length mirror
• Individually controlled air-conditioning
• Safe large enough to easily accommodate a full-size laptop
• Robes and slippers
• Iron and ironing board
• Automated blackout shades and sheer curtains
• Pillow-top beds and high-end linens
• Bedside reading lamps

Is the Goldwynn Resort and Residences all-inclusive?

No. Rates listed are for the room only. Food and beverage costs are separate.

Do I need an electricity adapter at Goldwynn Resort in The Bahamas?

Not for US or Canadian plugs, but European devices will need an adapter, which is available from housekeeping.

Do I need to change currency to visit the resort?

No. Tipping with US dollars or Bahamian dollars is acceptable. And one Bahamian dollar equals one US dollar, so there is no need to do the math when determining how much something costs or how much to tip.