Day Trip: Radisson, Wyndam, or Nassau Beach Hotel?

[JerseyGirl23]

I'm looking for an inexpensive Day Trip in Nassau and someone suggested taking the #10 jitney to either the Radisson, Wyndam, or Nassau Beach Hotel where we can use their beach and pool areas.

 

Can someone suggest which one is best, or give a breakdown of each? I'll be traveling with my husband and 2 daughters, ages 14 and 8 who love to swim, ocean and/or pool.

 

We are on a budget, I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars there, but we cannot afford in our budget a day trip to Atlantis or any of the excursions.

 

Any info is helpful! Thanks.

[ccnwater]

I would also like to know! We are hoping to find jet ski rental at cable beach...Or possible Paradies Island? Any info would help!

[scubagirrl]

Here's a quick breakdown of the three hotels, which are located one right next to the other. Radisson and Wyndham are connected, and NBH is connected by a covered pathway/

 

Radisson and Wyndham are both very commercial highrise properties. The Radisson beach is better than the Wyndham, which has only a small cresent lagoon for a beach. The Pool at Wyndham is better (slide).. and the Wyndham usually has poolside music which I find a bit loud and disturbing. Both have plenty of Chaise lounges, a bar/grill and sometimes volleyball etc. The Radisson has a small reef system in the coral formation on the west side of the property. Nothing great, but the only snorkeling along this cable beach area. These properties sort of meld together, so you can really sit on the beach at the Radisson and have the kids enjoy the pool within earshot.

 

The Nassau Beach Hotel is an older property which is much more low keyed. The pools are free formed (there are 2) and very nice. The beach is located along a long stretch of beachfront, which makes it seem to stretch out for more privacy.

The Jet ski vendors are located down the beach from the Nassau Beach Hotel. NBH also has a Tiki Bar and Grill as well as the famous Cafe Johnny Canoes that does take out for lunch. mmm

 

Keep in mind, that you can easily move from one property to another. Or walk along the beach to find a great spot of vendor.

 

All properties will have hair braiders, vendors selling bracelets etc. just smile and say no thanks. Have a great trip.

Check my recent "scubagirl" post for instructions on getting the jitney to and from the hotels.

Have a blast!

[sunkey1]

Thanks scubagirl, the notes about all three hotels were great and I already made notes for our 4/30 cruise which stops there.

[JerseyGirl23]

Yes, scubagirrl, thanks so much for that bit of information.

 

One last question, can we just stroll in and sit on a beach or pool chair as if we are guests of the resort?

[scubagirrl]

Yes, scubagirrl, thanks so much for that bit of information.

 

One last question, can we just stroll in and sit on a beach or pool chair as if we are guests of the resort?

 

Yes, most of the time you can just wander in and relax. They expect you to bring your own towels, and have lunch or drinks, and they expect you to NOT disturb others (they don't want additional spring breakers or big groups who take up all their chaises.) But you'll find a spot along one of the three hotels that will be comfortable for all.

[JerseyGirl23]

Yes, most of the time you can just wander in and relax. They expect you to bring your own towels, and have lunch or drinks, and they expect you to NOT disturb others (they don't want additional spring breakers or big groups who take up all their chaises.) But you'll find a spot along one of the three hotels that will be comfortable for all.

 

 

Thanks so much for your helpfulness!

[royal girl]

those are my plans exactly as mentioned above!

 

We will hop on a #10 jitney bus ($1 per person) and stop at the Wyndham Crystal Palace and spend time there. Probably will walk over to the beach at the Nassau beach Hotel, and yes, there are jet skis, banana boats. I've stayed at the Crystal Palace numerous times as a guest and never saw the staff question anyone walking through the lobby to the beach pool area.

 

Oh, across the street from the Crystal Palace is a smaller straw market and also a drink stand that makes fabulous tropical drinks! ;) Crystal Palace has a burger stand by the pool. Burgers were around $8 and came with no fries!

[robinzhere]

The Crystal Palace has a casino -- I checked out the pictures on the web site. Does it have slots or just table games? We were thinking that it might be quieter there than Atlantis.

[JerseyGirl23]

Oh wow! You guys are great! Thanks so much for posting more tidbits!!

 

I really couldn't afford the hype of the Atlantis Hotel. Thanks to all of you, now I'll be on the beach, sipping drinks, taking a banana boat ride, doing a little shopping outside the hustle and bustle of the Straw Market downtown AND cooling off in a casino on what I thought would be a wasted day sitting on the ship in Nassau. We're a family of four and those excurions would have cost us almost as much as one of our cabins!

[gogetter]

Hello,

 

Yes they do have table games and slots.

 

I can't wait....i am going in October

[WeatherGeek]

I was in Nassau a couple of weeks ago and went to the Wyndham Nassau Beach Hotel. We originally were at Radisson, but they kicked us off of the property after we failed to produce a hotel guest pass. No one said a word to us at the Wyndham.

Also, there were several jet skis right next to the Wyndham available for rental.

[scubagirrl]

WeatherGeek - I'm assuming you are young, and they were trying to keep the spring break crowd from taking over.

I have OFTEN spend a day at Radisson by myself or with friends, and never had a problem. Of course, spring break is just a memory for this ole' gal.

[WeatherGeek]

It wasn't just because of my age, they also kicked a family off that we had shared a taxi with and I later saw them kicking two more families of four off. I didn't mind, we just picked up and went over to Wyndham and had no problem.

[Marlenascruising]

We went to the Wyndam last summer with two boys. We took a cab there from the ship. It was right before hurricane Francis so it was quiet. We walked through the Casino and went onto the property. Nobody bothered us, and we felt very confortable. We snorkeled right in the beach area, used the pools and had a choice of lounge chairs. We ordered a tropical drink at the swim up bar, chatted with hotel guests and a a wonderful time. To top it off we asked for a cab back to the ship ($20.00 for the four of us ) and they put us in a limo. We felt like VIP's arriving back at the ship in a stretch limo!

[Bucky3]

Bump!

[laura2161]

After reading this thread I have officially decided we are going to Wyndham. There will be 5 of us-3 adults and two teenage girls and it sounds like there will be something for each of us to enjoy. And I plan on hitting the casino for an hour of two while the rest of my party shops. :D :) :D

 

 

Thanks everyone!

Laura

[js]

I will be in Nassau on October 9 and trying to find a nice beach for my family of 4 which includes two children 11 and 7. We want a nice place that we can rent loungers and eat/drink and use bathroom.

Please correct me as I am going to state what I think I will be doing and have some questions. Please let me know if I am confused LOL

If I don’t take the bus I can take a taxi and ask the taxi driver to please take us to the Wyndham. Once we get out of the taxi, where do we walk? Do we have to walk through the Wyndham, or is there an entrance to the beach? Once we are on the beach, we would like to rent the lounge chairs. Do we just use the chairs even though we are not at the hotel? I don’t mind renting them I just want to be able to stay and not be kicked off. I am assuming if we are able to rent the chairs, we can eat at the hotel with no problem. Approximately how long of a taxi drive is it to the Wyndham and approximately what is the cost? Do the taxies charge per person or per ride. I will find out if there will be taxies waiting at the Wyndham or if I need to ask the hotel to contact one for me.

Thank you all VERY much!

[scubagirrl]

If you take a cab, they will drop you off at the hotel entrance, so you should walk thru the lobby and out the back door. There is no need to rent a chair, but you are expected to buy drinks, snaks etc. Bring your own towel (I suggest you bring some from home as the cruise towels just scream for attention).

The Radisson is on one side, the NBH is on the other.. lots of beach, lots of options.

Taxi's usually go per person. The UNION fare is $12 for 2 ppl from downtown, with $3 add'l pp. (should be $18 plus tip). Make sure you and your driver agree to a price before you enter the cab.

Here's a link to the current taxi fares.

http://www.bahamas-treasures.com/bahamas/Nassau_Taxi_Fares_2004.html

[firstimer2]

Thanks for the info Scuba Girl. Can you tell me how long it takes to get to the Wyndham via taxi? I certainly wouldn't want to miss the ship leaving. Also, if they say it departs at 5:00, is that when it really leaves?

 

Thanks.

[scubagirrl]

Taxi should take about 15 minutes if your not traveling peak hours. School bus times, and 4:30/5pm is peak hours for travel. The trip could take an hour if you get caught in traffic. Talk to your cabbie when you get dropped off. He'll give you the correct information.

[Elaine515]

double posted

[Elaine515]

...

 

We have been to the Wyndham Crystal Palace a couple of times and have always had a great time... Usually we fly and stay overnight but the next time we'll be there is by ship.

 

I just called the Casino Host @ Wyndhams and explained to him that I will be with 13 people of which 5 will only use the beach/pool facilities and the rest will go between the pool/casino. He told me no problem, enjoy yourselves. The kids love the pool area and the video room.

 

I then asked him what it would cost to rent a room for the day and he quoted me $85. So, it seems to me that you can just go, enjoy the beach/pool etc at no charge, or rent a room for $85. for the day.

 

So, I think we'll be hanging out at the Wyndham by day, go back to the ship for the Captains Dinner, then gamble at Atlantis at night.

 

Hope this helps....

[islandbound1day]

Thank you for all the great information. We have decided to go to the Wyndham while we are in Nassau in October. Are there any other options for getting to the Wyndham besides a taxi? There will be two adults and my 7 year old child. We are in Nassau from 8-2. Thanks for any help that can be provided.

[scubagirrl]

You can take the #10 jitney from downtown Nassau for $1 pp. Ask the driver to stop at the Wyndham, and pay as you leave the bus. (exact change please).

The jitneys (buses) are located downtown, and have lalrge #numbers printed on each bus.

If you walk along Bay Street towards the British Colonial, and around to the front, the bus stop is across the Street From the British Colonial Hilton in front of the McDonalds.

They run every few minutes.

To return, just flag down a jitney from in front of the hotels. They go by all day long until about 6pm.