Nassau International Airport (NAS): Approximate driving time is 20 minutes and distance is 9 miles.

Driving directions from Nassau International Airport: Exit the airport onto JFK Dr. Turn left onto West Bay St. Continue into downtown as West Bay becomes Bay St. Hotel is on the left.

Getting there: There is no regular shuttle service from the airport so the easiest way to get to the hotel is by taxi. Fare is $16–$25 USD for the first 2 passengers and $3 USD for each additional person. Rental cars, Town Cars, and limousines are more than $36 USD. Fees subject to change without notice. Rental cars are available online.

Getting around: The hotel is surrounded by tourist sites and plenty of shopping, eating, and entertainment spots, and other attractions including the financial and business districts, so the easiest way to get around is by foot. Public buses, also known as jitneys, run frequently around the downtown core and out to Cable Beach with fares of less than $5 USD. Water taxis cross from behind the Straw Market in Nassau to Paradise Island, for return fares of $5–$15 USD. Water taxis and jitneys stop running at dusk. Scooters are also a popular way to tour and rent for more than $36 USD. Bicycles are $16–$25 USD a day. Fees subject to change without notice. Driving British-style (on the left) along narrow streets and through roundabouts is daunting for most visitors so if going longer distances, taxis may be best. Island-hopping is possible through Bahamas Ferries which runs catamarans to out islands including Eleuthera and Harbour Island from Potter’s Cay between the old and new Paradise Island bridges. Or visitors can travel as the locals do, on mailboats which leave for the out islands from Potter’s Cay or Prince George Wharf, but passage can run on “Bahamas time” (slowly) and cargo can include livestock. Return fares for both ferries and mailboats are more than $36 USD. Fees subject to change without notice.

Patio Grille & Pool Bar - Poolside location with two open-air seating areas, one a bar and the other an ocean-view dining area under bleached-wood ceiling. Lunch menu featuring conch fritters, conch chowder, burger, sandwich, salads, and tropical drinks. Karaoke Friday nights. Open daily, midday until early evening.

Blackbeard's Cove Lobby Bar - Casual bar/lounge with large-screen television. Lunch and dinner menu of soups, appetizers, fried seafood. Open every afternoon until late night.

Palm Court Lounge - Crystal chandelier, tall columns, dance floor. Afternoon tea service. Bahamian/Caribbean band Wednesday through Sunday nights. Open every day from afternoon until late night.

Blue Note Lounge - Second-floor jazz/R&B/dance club open nightly. Clubby ambience of dark woods, semi-private booths with leather love seats, comfortable seating, pale-blue walls, and sheer curtains. Dressier clientele. Open every day from afternoon until late night.

Amenity highlights: Bordered on one side by a tropical garden, the hotel's large pool has an expansive sundeck with lounge chairs and umbrellas. A 75-yard-long private beach is furnished with additional lounge chairs and thatched sunshades. Use of kayaks, snorkeling gear, and pedal boats on the beach is complimentary. Both sundeck and beach offer views of cruise ships moored nearby, and of the western tip of Paradise Island, 300 yards offshore. Guests can snooze in hammocks on the lawn adjacent to the pool.

Insider tip: For guests who wish to conduct business poolside or on the beach, the hotel's Office Alfresco program rents a wheeled cabinet containing a laptop computer with wireless Internet access and remote printing capability, a telephone (calls charged to room), and office supplies in drawers.

A business center offers computers with Internet access (fee), as well as services such as printing and faxing.