Grand Hyatt Baha Mar: “Gramping” in the Bahamas

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Aerial picture of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas
Aerial shot of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. Photo credit: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

This trip was hosted, but all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

If you’re like many grandparents, spending time with your grandchildren is at the top of your to-do list. The latest trend according to the Wall Street Journal is called “Skip Gen Travel,” when grandparents bring the next generation along, without their parents. This allows you to spend quality time with your grandchildren without familial pressures. While it comes with more responsibilities (tips on that later), the joys are multiplied!  

We headed to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar on the stunning shores of Nassau for a “Skip Gen Vacation” with our 9-year-old grandson, Asher. The expansive Baha Mar resort is an ideal destination for families with relaxation, adventure, and luxury. Baha Mar ensures that everyone has a memorable experience. 

Luxurious Accommodations Exceed Expectations

Experience luxury rooms at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.
Luxury accommodations at The Reserve. Photo credit: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

Baha Mar boasts a wide selection of guestrooms/luxury suites that can comfortably accommodate families of all sizes. We opted for The Reserve at Grand Hyatt which included these five-star benefits:

  • A team of butlers
  • Complimentary food and beverage choices throughout the day
  • Help with outings and dinner reservations.

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Splash Away!

Beautiful beachfront on the Atlantic at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Nassau
Baha Mar Beachfront on the Atlantic Ocean. Photo credit: Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

The centerpiece of Baha Mar is it’s pristine beachfront on the Atlantic Ocean.

We spent hours in the sand, building castles, and jumping in the gentle waves. The resort also features two state-of-the-art water parks, Dean’s Blue Hole Pool with a swim-by aquarium and Baha Bay Beach Club with chilling water slides, a kids’ play area, wave pools, and more. Add in a luxury cabana and you’ve got it made in the shade. Imagine supervising your grandchildren while enjoying a Pina Colada by the pool. Win-win!

Share Activities that Teach and Inspire

Little boy standing with a pink flamingo at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.
Asher makes friends with a flamingo. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

Baha Mar is packed with activities that expose your grandchildren to new experiences. The resort is committed to conservation in the Bahamas and offers several on-premise wildlife adventures.at The Sanctuary.

  • Interact with flamingos, the national bird of the Bahamas, tortoises, macaws
  • Become a marine biologist (sorry, it’s just for the kids!)
  • Discover Bahamas can arrange family-friendly excursions like catamaran cruises, see the swimming pigs in Exuma, and other cultural experiences

Baha Mar also has an outstanding Explorer Club for kids 3-12 with wildlife visits, crafts, treasure hunts, games, and more, should you require a little downtime. Ditto with its high-tech Game Zone.

Culinary Delights from Casual to Gourmet

Salmon dish at Marcus Fish & Chip House at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
Alepo glazed salmon at Marcus Fish & Chop House. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

With over 40 options ranging from food trucks and kiosks to signature restaurants, dining at Baha Mar is a true indulgence.Most restaurants on the property offered kids’ menus, so Asher always found something to enjoy.

Recommended restaurants

  • The Sugar Factory with multi-colored sliders
  • Pizza Lab for pizza and pasta
  • Swimming Pig for island-style French Toast

Celebrated chef Marcus Samuelson’s Fish & Chop House is the premiere dining experience at the resort. The restaurant is an upscale blend of Samuelson’s native Ethiopian and soul food which creates a blend of cultures.

Go with the Flow

Little boy watching nightly light show at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
Asher was fascinated with the nightly light show. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

When the sun goes down, Baha Mar springs to life with live music, cultural performances, and themed events. We watched the impressive light show every night, oohing and aahing at the colorful display.

Explore Historic Nassau

Grandfather and grandson standing on the Queen's Staircase, Nassau
Take a step back in time at The Queen’s Staircase, Nassau. Photo credit: Mira Temkin
  • Founded in 1670, Nassau is the capital and largest city in the Bahamas.
  • Old forts, Parliament Square, and Blackbeard’s Tower should be on your must-see list.
  • The most popular site is the Queen’s Staircase, a walkway of 66 steps built by slaves between 1793 and 1794. Named to honor Queen Victoria who abolished slavery in 1837, the staircase is cool, serene and beautiful with a cascading waterfall and it’s free. (It’s easier to walk down.)

Graycliff Castle is an Experience to Savor

Private dining room at Graycliff Castle, Nassau
Imagine entertaining in this exquisite, private Graycliff Castle Wine Room that seats up to 18. Photo credit: Mira Temkin

The pièce de résistance is Graycliff Castle in Nassau, built by pirate John Graysmith. This 18th-century marvel is filled with unique things to do:

  • Stay at the 16-room award winning boutique hotel
  • Take a Wine & Cheese Tasting Tour in the third-largest wine cellar globally, boasting over 290,000 bottles
  • Learn cigar rolling at the Graycliff Cigar Factory with rum tasting
  • Master chocolate-making at the Chocolate Factory
  • Enjoy an interactive cooking class at the Culinary Academy.
  • Dine at the Graycliff Restaurant, the first five-star restaurant in the Bahamas (We loved the food and they have a kids menu).

All too soon our “gramping” vacation was ending. As we headed to the airport, I asked Asher what his favorite part of the trip was. “Just being with you,” was his answer.  Lucky us!

Important Considerations for Skip-Gen Travel

As the “parents” in charge, here are some of my recommendations for a smooth journey with your grandkids.

  • Make sure you have their current health insurance/prescription cards, just in case
  • Have a signed letter from their parents that you have permission to travel with them, and can seek medical attention, if needed  
  • Have a current photograph of your grandchild in your phone in case they get lost
  • Have your grandchild bring a stuffed animal or blanket from home for comfort
  • Pack T-shirts with bright colors (neon are good, too) so your grandchild stands out in a crowd
  • Facetime with their parents as often as they want 

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With more than 20 years of travel writing under her bling-y belt, Mira Temkin understands the expectations of the leisure traveler and writes to those expectations. From destinations to tours to cruises and luxury resorts, her articles cover the world: across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Central America, South America and Europe. She is a proud member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and past member of the International Food Wine Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). Mira always has her bags packed and is ready to go! You can read her other travel stories at miratemkintravel.com.
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