Property
Diamonds by the Sea is a series of beach houses located right on the beach in Grand Bahama. The cottages offer a perfect home away from home with separate bedrooms, a spacious living area, full kitchen, private patio and BBQ, spa…and well, you can’t beat twenty-two steps to the beach.

Location
We stayed in the Key Lime cottage while filming for Travel With Kids Bahamas (more information at TravelWithKids.tv) and enjoyed the gorgeous white sand beach and plenty of great snorkeling just off the beach. Just down the beach are a couple of wonderful local restaurants if you don’t feel like cooking. And just a short drive away is the town of Freeport with shopping and nightlife, and in the other direction the secluded swath of beach paradise featured in Pirates of the Caribbean 3…picture Elizabeth, Will and Barbosa walking out along pure white powder sand surrounded by turquoise waters to meet Jack and the English captain for a trade.

Sleeps
There are four cottages sleeping anywhere from 3 – 6 adults. Plus, they can provide cots and cribs for younger kids.

Highlights
Beach, beach, beach! The beach was wonderful and the cottage had all the goodies to go with it…umbrellas, chairs, beach toys, rafts. The beach was so close you could walk back in seconds to freshen up a drink, get a snack for the kids, change a diaper. And we had the beach pretty much to ourselves.

Good to know
Stock up at the grocery store on the way out to the cottage. The kitchen has everything you need to make a gourmet meal or just whip up a snack.

Contact

http://www.diamondsbythesea.com/

Written by Carrie Simmons

Property
All of the Hello, Mr. and Mrs. So and So’s you would expect from the Four Seasons delivered with a charming, laid back attitude. Located at Emerald Bay on Great Exuma in the Bahamas, this Four Seasons resort, spa and casino is a secluded, intimate family destination featuring crystal clear water, ivory sand beaches, tennis facilities, an Arnold Palmer golf course, and a complimentary kids’ program.

Location
Just a short flight from Florida’s Fort Lauderdale airport and only fifteen minutes from the Georgetown, Bahamas airport to the resort, escaping to the Four Seasons Grand Exuma is fairly easy, leaving you a lot more time to relax. The resort is situated on a gorgeous beach that rings Emerald Bay.

Sleeps
In typical Four Seasons fashion, you have a variety of accommodation options ranging from a well-appointed garden view guestroom for two adults and two children to several stand-alone residences that look fit for royalty.

Highlights
Believe it or not, rates here are usually slightly lower than the Four Seasons on Nevis and a whole lot lower than the Four Seasons resorts in Hawaii. Service here is top notch. Poolside cabanas are plentiful. You can reserve a Pack n’ Play for your cabana to ensure that the little ones don’t miss their naps.

Good to know
The nearest town is a 15-minute cab ride away. This is a smaller Four Seasons resort so dining options can seem repetitive if you’re staying a while. Dining options include at least one kid-friendly restaurant at every meal as well as poolside dining during the day. Understandably, kids are not welcomed with open arms in the Quiet Pool or marked quiet sections of the beach (unless of course they are quiet!)

Contact
http://www.fourseasons.com/greatexuma/

Written by Kristy Hall

Property
Some people can relax when they’re spending $800 a night on accommodations. For the rest of us, there’s Small Hope Bay Lodge. This simple, tidy, eco-friendly property has 17 cottages just steps from the sea (four of which have 2 bedrooms) but few frills (unless you count azure seas, abundant hammocks, and great scuba diving).

Location
Andros Island is the largest island in the Bahamas, as well as one of the most unexplored. Although it’s off the beaten path, it’s just an hour by air from Ft. Lauderdale, or a short hop from Nassau.

Sleeps
2-5.

Highlights
Complimentary babysitting between 6 and 8:45p.m. Barefoot dinners. Conch fritters. Legitimately friendly service. The resort really puts the “all” in all inclusive (drinks too), which is very relaxing.

Good to know
No phones, no newspapers, no TV. Not all rooms have a/c. If you have to have it, ask.

Contact
www.smallhope.com

Written by Jamie Pearson