Flamingo Bay Hotel & Marina

A rendered retro facade in cool blue and white trim sets the tone for the hotel’s basic interiors. The lobby has an aqua and white color palette with a wooden front desk and heavy black leather chairs that don’t really fit in. The hotel's best features are located across the road at Taino Beach Resort, where guests have access to the facilities. There guests can find a huge circular, lake-like pool unfolding around a giant stone grotto and waterslide plus a swim-up/walk-in bar. Paved sun-lounging and hammock spots, tropical palm and pandanus gardens, meandering pathways and little connecting bridges make the grounds feel like a water park for adults. Right by the pool is a long stretch of white sandy beach with brightly colored picnic tables and calm Caribbean waters that change hues depending on conditions. 

Set on Bell Channel Bay, the Flamingo Bay Resort & Marina is a 38-minute drive from Grand Bahama International Airport, and across the road from Taino Beach Resort (and Taino Beach), where the hotel's shared features are located. But there’s not much else in the immediate vicinity. A regular ferry service departs Taino Beach for Port Lucaya Marina & Marketplace -- Freeport’s main touristy hub of restaurants, bars, shops and local artisans. Water taxis can also be arranged.

Rooms are set over three levels and are simple yet comfortable, with generic island-inspired decor that blends a fresh coastal palette of yellow, green, and blue with blond mahogany furniture, flamingo artwork, and vibrant bedspreads. King and Double categories are on offer, and all rooms feature kitchenettes equipped with microwaves, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, toasters, utensils, and dish soap. Rooms also contain mirrored wardrobes, large desks, tables and chairs, and flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms have shower/tub combos, retro clam-shaped sinks, white fluffy towels, hairdryers, and a good selection of free toiletries. Irons and ironing boards are available on request. All rooms get plenty of natural light through large glass windows, which also expose rooms to outside noise and conversation created by guests lingering outside their rooms or passing by, which could easily annoy light sleepers. Guests looking for a good view should request a higher, marina-facing room, but leaving the curtains open to admire the view means passing guests and staff can see right in.

This hotel is really just rooms, a lobby with a gift shop, and some grassy grounds (with barbecues) overlooking a 25-slip marina. However, Flamingo Bay guests get access to a wide range of resort perks and amenities belonging to Taino Beach Resort across the street. The beachfront restaurant, Taino by the Sea, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves up a good range of Caribbean-inspired meals with an emphasis on seafood. Diners can sit in on the open-air deck, in the formal dining room, or on picnic tables and chairs right on the beach. Bonfire parties can also be arranged. 

Taino Beach Resort's huge pool caters well to kids and adults alike, with a giant waterslide, a whirlpool hot tub, hammocks hanging between palm trees, and plenty of lounge chairs. The grotto bar is its star feature, combining a swim-up and walk-in bar in the center of the pool. There's also a long, sandy beach equipped with lounge chairs and sheltered picnic tables and chairs. Other features include a fitness center, and outdoor games on offer include volleyball, shuffleboard, tennis, and table tennis. Water sports are aplenty and the resort offers Jet-Ski and kayak rentals, banana boat rides, and pedal boats. There’s also a playground for kids, guest laundry, a business center, and free Wi-Fi -- but only in lobby areas. Outdoor parking is free, and off-site activities and tours can be booked from the in-house tour desk.