Bahamas Master Thread

[mimb]

Is there an email address I can reach out to in advance to request kosher globalist breakfast (from Cinko if possible) for the Grand Hyatt?

[mimb]

Cheapest way to get from airport to Grand Hyatt? Do they have uber/lyft there?

[Adlebo]

Cheapest way to get from airport to Grand Hyatt? Do they have uber/lyft there?

When you go out of the airport you should easily find a taxi. Ask them before what the rate is. I was charged 28 dollars. I also asked him to stop in a supermarket before to buy some fruits and vegetables and soda,  for that stop he charged me 16 dollars extra including a half hour wait.

[mimb]

Quick TR while it's fresh on my mind:

Flew Delta from JFK - NAS, got a great deal on the tickets just 7k miles each.
Stayed at the Grand Hyatt for 4 nights at 20k a night. Hotel was completely sold out due to Presidents day break/a bunch of conferences. Couldn't get globalist suite upgrade but got a nice room in the East Tower with ocean view. We requested a fridge and they easily provided one. In hindsight I would go with the West Tower next time as it seemed nicer but can't confirm.

Baha Mar is huge. Hyatt could do a better job giving a map of the property or something, we didn't realize there are so many different pools (adult only, family, waterfall/aquarium). Didn't love the beach by the Hyatt, they crammed all the chairs next to each other so you had no space to yourself. Also people are constantly shouting and trying to sell coconuts or scarves which made it feel like I was on the subway; couldn't get that comfortable vacation relaxation. I liked the pools much more.

Casino looked nice but I forgot to bring cash so didn't play.

Front desk agreed to honor free globalist breakfast for the premade kosher options at Cafe Madeline. This worked out perfectly b/c you can choose to instead get a sandwich for lunch if you'd rather have your own breakfast. I would suggest going earlier in the morning rather than later as the kosher premade options can run out.

Had dinner every night and also Friday night (pre-paid) at Cinko. Food was fantastic and service was great. Pricing I think is in-line with even the non-kosher restaurants at the resort. It really was a great feeling not having to shlep so much food and getting to enjoy fine dining on vacation. Went to Chabad for Shabbat morning and we had a nice minyan with a kiddush afterwards. The Chabad rabbi is really spearheading a lot of kosher efforts at the Hyatt. He mentioned the bagels were all going to become kosher, pat yisrael. There was also talk of converting another of the current restaurants to kosher after Pesach.

Snuck into the Rosewood pool for an afternoon and it was really nice. Very upscale, the towels and chairs were a lot more luxurious. I guess that's why room rates start at over $1k.

Water park is a fun activity, especially if you have kids. Easy and quick walk over and it wasn't too crowded so didn't have to wait on any long lines. I had a fun time on the slides and lazy river.

Flew home on Jetblue booked for 10k points per ticket. Flight was delayed for no reason for 40 minutes which continues my awful luck with Jetblue (5 consecutive flights with delay/cancellation).

All in all, I think Baha Mar will become a popular vacation spot for religious Jews. The kosher options are a game changer. I had a nice time and would definitely go back if I was going with kids.

 

[Shegold]

Would love to stay at the Baha Mar. What is the cheapest way to stay here?

[dinah]

has anyone gone to Rose Island?  has anyone done any of the snorkeling tours to the reefs?

[mimb]

Would love to stay at the Baha Mar. What is the cheapest way to stay here?

Use Hyatt points

[nirc]

thoughts on staying at The Coral @ Atlantis Bahamas for 5 free nights using my cc bonus? technically, i can stay for 10 nights as have 2 credit cards.

i realize this is their lowest tier level but free is free, right.

alright, is not totally free, as still have to pay $60/night covering resort fees but close enough.

https://www.caesars.com/myrewards/partners/atlantis-paradise-island

[bites]

I’m looking for a nice place to go with my wife-NO KIDS. I don’t really have points (aside for a ton of venture X) but don’t mind spending money. Any good ideas? Seems like rosewood is the place but was wondering if anyone had experiences some place else.

[mimb]

I’m looking for a nice place to go with my wife-NO KIDS. I don’t really have points (aside for a ton of venture X) but don’t mind spending money. Any good ideas? Seems like rosewood is the place but was wondering if anyone had experiences some place else.

I stayed at Hyatt but ventured into the Rosewood pool and it was really nice. They were treating their guests very well. I met a couple people at Chabad who were staying at the Rosewood and they were all raving about it.

[bortunkm]

Urgent:

My wife and I checked into the grand hyatt baha mar on Thursday and have a flight back to Miami for tomorrow at 6:30pm.

My wife just took the rapid antigen test at the hotel and tested positive, which means she can't officially travel home for 10 days or until she gets a negative PCR. She really needs to get home for many reasons (watch kids, etc...) and is untenable for her to stay here.

Does anyone have any experience (maybe some tricks of the trade) navigating through this situation?

I did research before coming here and heard of a travel with confidence program, but never got asked if I wanted to purchase that package, so we don't have that as of now.

Any help is EXTREMELY appreciated.
You can contact me directly at 305-807-1296 if you can help.

Thank you SO MUCH.

[lost_my_dolphin]

I had a similar issue in the Bahamas as well in December. I was stuck there for an extra 2 days.

All you need to board a flight is a letter with proof of recovery or negative test. After my positive test they sent me to my room and told me that I couldn't leave or retest until day 5 so I booked a telehealth session with my doctor back in the US and informed him that my symptoms started a week prior as I had a slight cold about a week before my positive test. He said that it was likely still showing positive from that and gave me a letter saying that based on the new CDC guidelines of 5 days isolation, I was recovered and medically cleared to fly.
I had no issue checking in with that letter and I called to check out of the hotel once I landed in the US.

There is a Chabbad rabbi, Rabbi Shalom Bluming who was really helpful. you can reach him at Rabbi@JewishBahamas.com. Just note that sometimes his responses went to spam.

Good luck.

[Joel]

Urgent:

My wife and I checked into the grand hyatt baha mar on Thursday and have a flight back to Miami for tomorrow at 6:30pm.

My wife just took the rapid antigen test at the hotel and tested positive, which means she can't officially travel home for 10 days or until she gets a negative PCR. She really needs to get home for many reasons (watch kids, etc...) and is untenable for her to stay here.

Does anyone have any experience (maybe some tricks of the trade) navigating through this situation?

I did research before coming here and heard of a travel with confidence program, but never got asked if I wanted to purchase that package, so we don't have that as of now.

Any help is EXTREMELY appreciated.
You can contact me directly at 305-807-1296 if you can help.

Thank you SO MUCH.

Can you ask for another test?
It's possible the rapid is a false positive.

[nirc]

Urgent:

My wife and I checked into the grand hyatt baha mar on Thursday and have a flight back to Miami for tomorrow at 6:30pm.

My wife just took the rapid antigen test at the hotel and tested positive, which means she can't officially travel home for 10 days or until she gets a negative PCR. She really needs to get home for many reasons (watch kids, etc...) and is untenable for her to stay here.

Does anyone have any experience (maybe some tricks of the trade) navigating through this situation?

I did research before coming here and heard of a travel with confidence program, but never got asked if I wanted to purchase that package, so we don't have that as of now.

Any help is EXTREMELY appreciated.
You can contact me directly at 305-807-1296 if you can help.

Thank you SO MUCH.

restest, retest, retest until you get a negative result.

[bortunkm]

restest, retest, retest until you get a negative result.

Is that a confirmed way to get you out? It seems like only a PCR negative or letter of recovery can now help us, but a rapid negative won't.

[lost_my_dolphin]

restest, retest, retest until you get a negative result.

The clinic at Atlantis said that they would not allow me to take any more rapid antigen tests until 5 days after my positive results. They were concerned about a false negative. They offered me a PCR only.

[Chaim723]

The clinic at the Grand Hyatt bajamar testing me again an hour later after testing positive, and then again every day (2 days) just in case I test negative, they spare themselves from having to put me on the private jet.

[nirc]

Is that a confirmed way to get you out? It seems like only a PCR negative or letter of recovery can now help us, but a rapid negative won't.

no place to get a PCR with results back in 1-2 hrs like stateside?

[Jeremiah]

PDF editor?

[bortunkm]

The issue is that the positive result was automatically updated to her Bahamas health visa.