Checking Into Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina
Ever notice how hot shot general contractors tend to have the shoddiest looking houses? It’s like all the genius and effort they have for creating curb appeal gets exhausted on their clients.
In my travels I’ve found that it’s much the same way with marina hotels. There, the emphasis is on keeping yachts and sailing vessels ship shape and well-provisioned. Hotel rooms, food, guest services, and amenities? They’re usually pedestrian at best.
There are exceptions, of course. The Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina is one of them.
Considering the age of the resort (ABR welcomed its first guests in 1955), I was half-expecting the opposite when I checked in here in March 2015. A comfy yet dated reception area furthered the notion. So too had several boat captain friends who had docked here in recent years. They raved about the marina, one of the largest in The Bahamas, and the bar, but not much else.
Could the resort itself be an afterthought; the grounds unkempt, the rooms plain/lame?
First, Great Impressions
Answers would come as I made my way to my room, first passing the bar and primary pool area, which looked to offer all the fun my boat captain friends had already told me about.
Then, to my left, this…
Oh yeah, I’d say the grounds at the Abaco Beach Resort are well cared for, alright. Beautifully swaying coconut palms are sprinkled about the entire property. I was most fond, though, of the ones dressing up this wide grassy area. The whole scene invites you to slow your pace, or even stay and relax for awhile.
That would work particularly well for those staying in these bungalows directly facing the grassy area and the sea…
My room, however, was in one of the resort’s original buildings. This afforded me the not-too-shabby balcony view pictured at the head of this post. So yeah, no complaints from me about the view, or my room…
A dreamy bed, tons of space, fresh and tropical blue walls, new tile, and choice furniture pieces bearing the West Elm brand… It all belied the age of this section of the property.
The beauty and comforts at the Abaco Beach Resort extended to the marina area as well, of course.
Just a few steps from the bar, Angler’s Restaurant serves up excellent eats in an elegant atmosphere. The turf part of the surf ‘n turf dinner I enjoyed on my first night still sticks out in my memory. The waitstaff service was also surprisingly great. An excellent dining experience all the way ’round!
One look at the caliber of yachts in port here and the excellence at Angler’s makes sense…
Deluxe Dockage
This 130-foot Westport, dubbed Winning Drive, is the property of billionaire Steve Bisciotti, owner of the Baltimore Ravens. It was one several similarly-sized luxury yachts in port during my stay. The marina has 198 slips and can accommodate vessels up to 200 feet in length, so crowding was not an issue.
Truly, for landlubbers staying at the resort or seafarers docking at the marina, there really are very few, if any, issues here.
For rates, reservations, and more info on Abaco Beach Resort, be sure to visit them online.
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