In 2021, plans were announced for a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property to open in the Bahamas. We haven’t heard much about this project in the past few years, but there’s now an update, as construction has started, and the scale of the development has been expanded. Let’s cover all the details.
Continue reading: Ritz-Carlton Reserve Eleuthera, Bahamas, Opening 2027
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The ritz reserves are extraordinarily priced. Are they really worth it if the four seasons is half the price?
Typically four seasons have exquisite service.
I'll "reserve" judgement on this new property but few Ritz/St Regis properties are worth the cost anymore. Watered down standards, over corporatized/overpriced Marriotts. No longer "special'", there's just better brands/properties to choose now.
I wish them the best of luck, but there's a reason why high-end luxury hotels and the out islands of the Bahamas don't mix. Lack of infrastructure and qualified labor rank high in those, but aren't exclusive.
I'd also be curious how they plan on flying guests to the island. Rock Sound airport is the closest at roughly 9 miles away, but it has no international service (I doubt visitors are going to want to connect over NAS to get to the hotel). Governor's Harbour GHB is the next closest at nearly 40 miles away, with the only international service being AA Eagle year round to MIA and seasonal to CLT. Not quick/comfortable/convenient, particularly with the small, pothole-laden Queen's Hwy which must be taken. ELH gets the most substantial international service, but that's out of the question with it being over a 60 mile haul on that same road to/from the resort.
Seems to me like the resort might need to do the Four Seasons Lanai thing and include an air taxi flight to Rock Sound from MIA or FLL in the room rate. Nice thing is it'll be a long time before they have to worry about actually bringing guests to the resort.
My first thought too. I'm guessing they'll have some sort of puddle jumper from ELH since it has pretty decent service from the US. Similar to connecting to South Caicos at PLS or even flying to SBH from SXM.
The could pull a Amanpulo with the private transfer. Though I'm not sure if the average RC client would pony up for that.
I concur @Vernon C. Outside of Asia, these properties are gussied up Marriotts. St. Regis Butler service in the Americas is a joke, they shouldn't call it butler service.
Four Seasons is definitely above RC. Plus, no one is cashing in points or complaining about their loyalty benefits at FS.
Having done the ritz Carlton Puerto Rico, i was way underwowed. Marriott has no idea what a real 5 star property is about. They are just a watered down ginormous hotel chain system. Being in Eleuthera is the only plus I can see because it has such beautiful beaches and harbor island is next door.
Agree with everyone here. Recently stayed at the new St Regis Bermuda and Ritz Turks & Caicos. They were both essentially a Marriott and a Westin, respectively. Cheap decor. Spotty Service. Huge disappointments.