Silhouette of a lighthouse at sunset over calm ocean waters with dramatic clouds in warm orange and blue hues.
Tropical beach resort at sunset with lounge chairs, palm trees, and a pier overlooking calm waters under a colorful sky.

295 NM S/SE


Last week brought me to Nassau, Bahamas, for a meeting with the Royal Bahamas Defense Force. While work may have been the reason for the trip, I wasn’t about to spend my downtime sitting in a hotel room—especially with downtown Nassau, the waterfront, and my camera waiting just outside.


So, when the workday ended, it was time to explore.


There is something wonderfully easy about Nassau. Between the amazing seafood, the warm Caribbean air, genuinely friendly people, and sunsets that seem almost determined to make you stop whatever you’re doing and watch, the island quickly started feeling less like a work destination and more like somewhere I could happily disappear for a few days of R&R.

Turquoise Caribbean waters with beachfront hotels and palm trees under a dramatic blue sky.
Stunning tropical beach sunset with silhouetted palm trees, dramatic blue clouds, and calm ocean waters at dusk.
Luxury beachfront resort hotel at sunset with blue lounge chairs, palm trees, and a curved modern facade overlooking calm waters.
Serene tropical beach at dusk with palm trees, lounge chairs, and calm turquoise waters under a pastel sky.
Colorful Caribbean beachfront buildings with palm trees under a blue sky with white clouds.
Tropical resort pool area with tall palm trees, lounge chairs, and waterfront views at dusk.
Tropical beach resort at sunset with lounge chairs, palm trees, and a pier overlooking calm waters.
Orange Island Time Cruises boat docked in Miami harbor with a large cruise ship in the background.
Turquoise waters of a tropical Caribbean harbor with colorful waterfront buildings under dramatic blue skies.
Turquoise Caribbean waters with a modern cruise terminal and ships docked under a vibrant blue sky.
Turquoise waterfront with colorful buildings, a pier, and dramatic storm clouds over a tropical harbor.
Colorful Caribbean commercial buildings under dramatic blue sky with white clouds in a tropical town center.
Sands Truly Bahamian Beer billboard advertisement featuring locals celebrating in Nassau, Bahamas.
Turquoise waters surround a wooden dock near a modern building under a bright blue sky in the Florida Keys.

Naturally, the culinary scene was high on my list. Fresh seafood in the Bahamas just hits differently. Conch, fish, Caribbean flavors, cold drinks and an ocean breeze are a pretty convincing argument for extending a business trip by a day or two. Add one of those magical Bahamian sunsets in the background and suddenly you start questioning why you booked a return flight at all.


I also spent some time checking out the historic British Colonial in downtown Nassau. The property dates back to the early 20th century and occupies one of Nassau's most recognizable waterfront locations. The original Colonial Hotel opened in 1901, and after a fire destroyed it, a new hotel opened on the site in 1924. Over the decades, the property became part of Nassau's history—and even made an appearance in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball. Today, the restored British Colonial combines that old-Nassau character with a private beach and a location that puts you within walking distance of much of downtown.


It has a completely different personality from some of Nassau's newer resorts, and I have to admit, that appeals to me. There is something about staying somewhere with a little history behind the walls.

Illuminated British Colonial hotel sign glowing at night with elegant architecture and arched entrance in warm golden lights.
Luxury hotel courtyard with palm trees, blue swimming pool, and elegant lounge chairs at dusk in a tropical setting.
Elegant hotel lobby with grand staircase, ornate ceiling mural, white columns, and warm golden lighting.
Elegant upscale bar with dark wood shelving, glowing TV screens, and patrons seated at a marble counter.
Beachfront luxury hotel with palm trees and blue lounge chairs on white sand at dusk.
Elegant hotel grand staircase with ornate gold arch, wrought iron railings, decorative columns, and warm luxury interior lighting.
Elegant hotel lobby with arched windows, ornate ceiling mural, warm lighting, and guests relaxing in a grand historic building.
Elegant hotel lobby with rattan peacock chairs, arched ceilings, ornate columns, and warm lighting.
Tropical beachside bar with turquoise water, palm trees, and colorful resort in the background on a sunny day.
Elegant bar lounge with teal velvet seating, gold geometric wall art, and a vibrant tropical painting centerpiece.
Elegant hotel lobby with dark wood paneling, arched windows, green velvet chairs, and a gold-lit reception desk.
Elegant upscale bar lounge with dark wood paneling, green velvet chairs, glowing TVs, and ambient lighting.

Of course, if your idea of the Bahamas involves more of the full tropical-resort experience, Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau is practically next door, offering the pools, water attractions, restaurants, beach and unmistakable vacation atmosphere you would expect. Nothing wrong with that either—sometimes you just want the resort, the frozen drink and absolutely no responsibilities.


But what I enjoyed most about Nassau wasn't any single hotel or restaurant. It was the combination of everything: walking downtown with my camera, the colors of the buildings, boats along the water, incredible seafood, conversations with people I met along the way, and watching the Caribbean sky change colors as another day came to an end.


I came to the Bahamas for work.


I left thinking I may have found one of my new favorite places to do absolutely none of it.


Perhaps the Bahamas might just be moving very high on my list of preferred destinations for a little rest and relaxation.


And yes… I took the pictures.

 

Jimmy's Second Home:

 

Margaritaville Beach Resort exterior entrance with palm trees, luxury cars, and vibrant signage under a blue sky.
Margaritaville Store retail shop entrance featuring surfboard displays and tropical merchandise in a bright mall setting.
Elegant hotel lobby featuring a grand staircase with glass railings and a stunning blue chandelier in a bright atrium.
Margaritaville resort interior corridor featuring a cozy cafe shop with warm lighting and polished hardwood floors.
Tropical beachfront hotel with blue lounge chairs, palm trees, and white sandy beach under a vibrant blue sky.
Colorful pedal boats and kayaks lined up on a tropical beach resort with palm trees and blue sky.
Tropical resort water park with colorful slides, lazy river, lush palm trees, and a hotel backdrop under a vibrant blue sky.
Modern shopping mall corridor with wooden ceiling beams, hardwood floors, and retail storefronts in a bright interior.
Bright coastal-themed hotel corridor with wood-paneled walls, herringbone floors, and teal pendant lights.