Best free beach in Nassau, any advice??

[wildabouttheworld]

I would like to get a cab in Nassau and go to a nice beach with my family without spending a fortune. Are there hotels that allow you to use their beach and pool at no charge? Can you give me some hotel names that do this for free or a small charge?

 

[kaykels]

I just got back a few days ago and had the BEST experience!!!!! I remembered a vacation I had long ago at the Crystal Palace on Cable Beach. When we got off of the boat I asked the cab driver the very same question that you posed. He suggested Cable Beach and told me that the beach was even nicer than Atlantis and it was free. I couldn't see spending over $300.00 for my family of 6 at Atlantis. Well, we had a WONDERFUL TIME! The Crystal Palace is even nicer than I remembered. It still has a casino (for my brother) and a big, beautiful beach with motorized water sports, drinks for sale right out of the coconut, music, entertainment and a beautiful pool with a swim up bar and large water slide. We had almost as much fun as CC and NO CROWDS. I almost hate to share this secret on the board.... he he. Do it and HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!!!!!!!!! The cab ride is only $5.00 per person. Confirm this with the cab driver though!!!! You'll love it.

 

[lauravk]

And this was all free!!??

 

[wintermom]

It sounds like Kaykels had great luck but I'd like to hear if anyone
else has done this??

Most resorts I go to now require a wrist band to use the pool
and pool area. Maybe they don't at the Crystal Palace but I'd
check it out some more.

I booked a room at the Comfort Suites to get a wrist band and
use the Atlantis facilities but I would love to do a beach and pool
for free if I was sure I would get booted out.

Is the Crystal Palace a hotel or just a casino, pool and bar?
It seems like if it were a hotel they would not appreciate a cruise
boat full of people using the same pool as their paying guests.

Kaykels or anyone else that had tried this how does it work???

Thanks
Wintermom

 

[OJulie67]

I stayed at that hotel several years ago while vacationing in the bahamas. They didn't require wristbands for the pool at that time either. It is more of a pool area right on the beach actually. They have a wonderful bar and even activities etc...the day I remember most was getting alittle tipsy in the sun and doing the "limbo" Matter of fact, I met a nice family at the pool that were there on a cruise and just "borrowing" the pool while they docked. So for my experience, although it was a couple years ago, it is possible to use their pool no problem. The casino is really nice too!

 

[kaykels]

I don't blame you for being careful.... just ask the cab driver when you get off of the boat and I'm sure he will reassure you. I guess it's a little known secret. I asked about it on this board before and nobody really knew too much about it. I can't express how much fun my family had. It's a nice hotel, big pool, waterslide, beach activities and motorized watersports. At the pool they ask for a $5 rental fee for towels if you are not a hotel guest, which reaffirms the fact that they don't mind cruisers borrowing their facilities. I guess they figure we will spend money in their restaurants, bars and casinos. And best of all, NO CROWDS!!!!!

 

[wintermom]

Thanks for that great tip! Your right, if they ask for a fee for
towels if you are not staying there they must not mind and
lol I am sure we would spend money on drinks and food.


Wintermom

 

[married@wdw]

We wanted someplace to relax for the day that had "facilities" -- basically food, drinks and a beach. We've been toying with the idea of day rates at Comfort Suites, but really didn't want to spend the money because we only want to spend about half a day off ship, then head back for spa time and dinner.

When I saw this, I just had to e-mail the resort (Wyndham Resort and Crystal Palace Casino) and ask. Sure enough, their response was very kind:

"You may use our resort and it would be nice to bring your own towel if you can. This way we have enough for our guests.

Please feel free to visit our casino and eat in one of our nice restaurants.
You may call the resort at 1-800-222-7466 and ask for reservations and they would be happy to speak to you regarding a Day Rate."

I just loved this -- please bring your own towel. I'm gonna feel like I'm sneaking into a Disney pool or something. And the pictures of the resort look quite nice. Now I just need to add two beach towels to our packing list -- a small price to pay for a free resort day!