Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina

While this resort is spread out along a quite substantial stretch of coastline, Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina packs in plenty of Bahamian-inspired charm. Despite its location just outside of Marsh Harbour's downtown, the resort has a secluded yet relaxed vibe. Interiors throughout have a humble, beachy quality, with a mix of dark hardwood and wicker furniture, subtle beach-inspired art, and a few requisite thatch-roofed structures throughout the property. Rooms are separate from the main pool and bar area, providing a bit of intimacy and quiet. Most of the socializing happens at the poolside bar, which has a beachy vibe with a thatched roof and rustic wooden chairs overlooking the marina. Serving Bahamian beers, mixed drinks, and a light contemporary grill fare, the poolside bar is popular with locals, tourists, and boaters as a lively nightspot. Angler’s Restaurant pulls in an older, more sophisticated crowd for dinner. With theme nights like full moon parties and bonfires down by the beach, the Abaco Beach Resort has a lively vibe late into the night, but plenty of open lawn areas for guests to escape the noise.

The Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina has an enviable location just outside of Marsh Harbour. The shops and restaurants in town will take about five minutes to reach on foot. There aren't exactly a ton of big ticket sights in the area, though plenty of boat and dive tours depart from town. While the resort has its own lovely beach, many visitors will want to explore the island's many famous stretches of sand. A rental car will thus come in handy, and it's only a 30-minute drive to Treasure Cay Beach, one of Abaco's most popular. Like many hotels in the Bahamas, Abaco Beach Resort does not offer airport transfers, but the Marsh Harbour International Airport is only a 10-minute drive away. Treasure Cay Airport is a 40-minute drive from the resort. 

There is a slight disparity across the rooms at the Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Habour Marina in terms of decor, though all have at least some outdoor space and ocean views. Traditional rooms come in Standard and Deluxe categories with a variety of configurations. Colors include beige, blue, and white, some have pops of color with dark blue and red couches. Attractive dark beds and dark modern furniture contrast the light color scheme of the rooms. Rooms across these categories are spacious, with king or queen beds, light tile floors, and small kitchenettes with coffeemakers, mini-fridges, and glassware. 

The Condos, the most contemporary rooms at the resort, are sharp and sophisticated. Expect to see lots of black, beige, and red, lending a bit of urban flair to the rooms, and complemented by contemporary artwork and colorful vases. Standard Condo features include kitchens with stoves, dishware, and full refrigerators -- stainless steel appliances and light wood cabinets look polished and upmarket. There are plenty of sitting areas in the Condos, including handsome dining room table-and-chair sets. French doors lead out onto private terraces. 

The stand-alone, two-bedroom Cottages have a homey vibe and are done in shades of green, yellow, and blue alongside a mishmash of modern, wicker, and rattan furniture. Unfortunately, the decor is a bit tacky and dated, including printed bedspreads and loud fabrics. These units do have plenty of space, with full kitchens and small dining areas. Nice additions include a large patio, though the plastic furniture is a bit underwhelming.  

Bathrooms vary across the categories, but all are spacious and have ample vanity space. Shower/tub combos are in all rooms except for condos, which feature an open floor plan and a soaking tub in addition. Other standard in-room features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi (though it can be spotty).

Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina has a good number of features to keep everyone happy. Angler’s Restaurant and the poolside bar are centrally located at the resort and adjacent to the marina. Both are popular destinations for locals and tourists, with Angler’s serving up a menu of fresh seafood, Bahamian cuisine, and salads. The poolside bar has lively music and a contemporary grill fare of burgers, fries, and conch chowder. It also serves Bahamian beer, mixed drinks, and wine, and stays busy from day to late at night. 

A small, private beach is located near the marina. A handful of white, plastic lounge chairs are available for guests to use for sunbathing and relaxing, as well as a few surfboards. The stone bonfire pits and large wooden playgrounds make it a fine place for the many families who stay here to relax for the day. Aside from the main pool and bar area, there are a few small outdoor pools closer to the rooms for guests to relax and sunbathe on the handful of wooden lounge chairs with orange cushions.

Additional amenities include a tiny fitness center with a few modern machines, a gift shop selling beachwear, a self-serve laundry room, and a few event spaces for large groups. The full-service marina is the largest in the Bahamas with 198 slips. Guests can reserve docks for their boats and take advantage of the laundry room, restaurants, and theme nights on offer at the hotel. Typical of many islands in the Bahamas, the free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel tends to be a little spotty.