It Takes a Ferry to Attain This Intimate Bahamas Lodge — With a Non-public Sandy Seaside and Only a Handful of Rooms

Whenever you consider the Bahamas, the mega-resorts of Nassau seemingly come to thoughts — however then there are small slices of serenity like Hope City. With fewer than 500 year-round residents, you don’t have to fret about crowds right here, making it the right residence for The Island Retreat, a boutique resort in Hope City on Elbow Cay within the Abaco Islands.

Nestled in nature alongside the seashore, The Island Retreat’s loudest noise is a rooster’s early morning crow. The silence was calming. I inhaled, taking within the views on the expansive deck going through miles and miles of white sand seashore. This was my first clue as to why the resort is known as as such.

Once I walked down the deck stairs to the seashore under and nobody was in sight, I felt like I used to be on a non-public island. Unsurprisingly, the resort attracts teams of pals and households for weddings, milestone birthdays, and household reunion celebrations. They might have the place to themselves.

With no plenty to cater to, I relished the private consideration of the proprietor, Sheri Falk. Almost a decade in the past, she and her late husband, Buzz, bought the property they fell in love with on certainly one of their many journeys to Hope City and the Abaco Islands. She made us really feel welcome as we chatted freely like outdated pals. 

After all, her employees was heat, too. Chris took excellent care of us, promptly giving us his telephone quantity so we might name at any time. He may very well be counted on to advise us about the place to go, present up with extra Champagne, preserve us laughing, and drive us round within the golf cart. A friendship shaped quick, and we missed him after we left. An attractive place is made even higher when these there have large smiles and larger hearts — that was a part of what made The Island Retreat so particular.

The bottle of Champagne and charcuterie board ready for me within the kitchen of my superbly appointed two-bedroom cottage was welcome — simply what I wanted to beat traveler’s fatigue — and when a prepare dinner got here to arrange dinner for the night, I felt pampered certainly. The feast of Bahamian goodies like conch fritters, rice and peas, macaroni pie, fish, and hen was sufficient to make sure an excellent night time’s sleep in my plush mattress.

You possibly can’t assist however catch your breath right here, whether or not you chill in your patio with a e-book, take heed to the hypnotic sound of waves crashing under, or swim within the pool and settle right into a lounger. I additionally loved the personal morning yoga class on the pool deck — staring on the ocean with a delicate breeze took me to a different stage, and I almost fell asleep through the meditation that closed the category.

If you wish to stroll on the wild aspect, The Island Retreat isn’t for you. Right here, it’s all about reflection, restoration, and renewal. Learn on for a full evaluation of this island refuge.

The Rooms

With 4 rooms, one suite, two villas, and one cottage on-site, there are not any dangerous room selections at The Island Retreat.

The Hearth Room within the Foremost Home is cozy, with a queen-size Murphy mattress that lets you glimpse the oceanfront dawn. It additionally has an en suite toilet. The Honeymoon Suite is an oceanfront, personal, upstairs single room with a king-size mattress and personal deck. The Grasp Suite is spacious, with a sitting space, personal balcony, king-size mattress, and epic views of the dawn and the ocean via all of the home windows.

Splurge and keep within the cottage — you’ll thank your self later. Nothing is left to probability right here, with many home windows, wood-beamed ceilings, beach-inspired décor, and each kitchen equipment you can ever want, together with a washer and dryer. Your little haven is heavenly certainly. Falk’s background as a clothier stands out right here — she mentioned it was necessary for visitors to really feel snug in a contemporary atmosphere. Mission completed.

Meals and Drink

Falk and her husband are from Texas, and their background is represented by genuine Tex-Mex flavors and choices within the meals and drinks.  The Cantina Restaurant & Bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner by the pool.  The ocean views make cocktail time much more gratifying, particularly at sundown. The specialty is tacos, be it achiote-marinated grilled hen served alongside chipotle crema with purple onions and cotija cheese, flank steak, or blackened shrimp. The kitchen additionally incorporates native choices from the ocean in its fresh-catch fish tacos.  The selfmade jalapeño cheese bread breakfast sandwich is one thing you’ll bear in mind lengthy after you’re residence.

Right here, drinks-wise, it’s all in regards to the tequila: The hand-crafted margaritas are a favourite on the island. Falk visits Mexico yearly and brings again small-batch bottles of specialised tequilas.

Actions and Experiences

The 25-foot pool is the place to be.  Even in case you’re not taken with taking a dip, a number of the greatest views on the property are from the pool and deck space. Get snug in a lounger going through the ocean with a cocktail or mocktail in hand.

In case you completely should preserve your train routine, the gymnasium is there to maintain you on observe. Falk continues to broaden it with new free weights, a Peloton bike, and yoga courses. Past the gymnasium, you possibly can stroll or run on the seashore.

The Residing Room within the Foremost Home is a communal house the place visitors can collect for espresso, board video games, or to observe Netflix or sports activities.

The Spa

The Island Retreat is residence to a Wellness Middle, which is unsurprising provided that Falk is an authorized Pilates teacher and her husband was a licensed therapeutic massage therapist. Loosen up with a Swedish or deep tissue therapeutic massage.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Rooms are ADA compliant.

Location

Hope City is lower than two miles lengthy, so nothing is much. From The Island Retreat, hop in a golf cart (you possibly can rent or hire one) and revel in all of the city affords. A couple of favourite spots on the town embody eating places Cap ‘n Jacks and Firefly Bar and Grill. You possibly can climb to the highest of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse, or inquire about going out on the water with Cruise Abaco for diving, snorkeling, or just absorbing the solar.

Methods to Get the Most Worth Out of Your Keep

Many returning households get pleasure from a particular providing of unique use of the Foremost Home by renting all three rooms within the Foremost Home: the Grasp Suite, the Bunk Room, and the Hearth Room. All of them have personal lodging and sometimes select to be served within the eating room by the in-house chef.