How Rosewood Baha Mar Captures The Soul Of The Bahamas

I’m trying to master the downward dog when a flamingo trots past. The bird stands on the edge of my mat as I eye it from my upside down position. Puffing up its fuchsia feathers, it bends over effortlessly, its beak touching the ground, as if to prove its superior flexibility. Welcome to yoga, Bahamas-style.

The outdoor class is taking place in the gardens at Rosewood Baha Mar – one of the Bahamas’ most upscale resorts, found on Cable Beach on Providence Island. The notion of ‘quiet luxury’ may be the current buzzword in the travel industry, but since Rosewood Baha Mar opened five years ago, it has proved that it is already one step ahead of this concept, bringing the trend to life with an understated design, a showcasing of local art and innovative, high-end dining.

Part of the vast Baha Mar complex, which also includes Grand Hyatt and SLS resorts, the Rosewood property stands apart – metaphorically – from the rest, with its boutique and intimate ambiance and finessed approach to hospitality. Arriving here feels more like entering a private estate rather than a large, soulless resort.

In fact, studio Wimberly Interiors, which designed the interiors, said that it set out to create a sense of community, a place “where conversation would be sparked amongst new and old friends”, and somewhere that was elegant yet distinctly Bahamian. “We wanted our design for the hotel to reflect the residential quality found on Harbor Island: fresh, modern, and unmistakably Bahamian,” said Liana Hawes Young, creative director of Wimberly Interiors New York.

Setting the tone, the lobby has a contemporary colonial feel with its large glass display cabinet showcasing a collection of bleached white coral, a blue-veined, statement marble fireplace and a compelling, hand-drawn wall covering – inspired by the work of local artist, John Hussey. The vibe is a riff on Victoriana. The mural’s shadowy sketches stretch around the lobby and depicts muted island views – windswept beaches and swaying palm trees – in seafoam and eau di nil hues. In the Library, found just off the lobby, meanwhile, – where you can grab a Bahamian version of afternoon tea or a brasserie-style lunch – there is a sense of grandeur, with its high ceilings, two imposing bookcases and eclectic objets d’art.

Bedrooms, meanwhile, have a refined design aesthetic with modern, metal four-poster beds, crisp linens and pops of Caribbean colours, just dialled down a notch, with pale blues and lilac notes. Azure glass, woven rattans and painted lacquers bring a level of texture to each space, while bathrooms have sculptural marble sinks and rainfall showers for that Rosewood luxury touch.

The thoughtful design is a calming antidote to the mega-watt colours outside – the Bahamian azure waters are dazzling to the eye, Rosewood’s talcum powder beach is brilliantly white and the palm trees are audaciously green. A little bit of serenity is welcome when you take off your sunglasses.

Still, capturing the tones of the Caribbean in a myriad of ways is Baha Mar’s art programme which includes a curated art collection overseen by John Cox, Baha Mar’s executive director of Arts & Culture. All around the resort – and across Baha Mar – guests will find a diverse array of art as well as a new creative space, called ECCHO, which displays art from Bahamian artists as well as international names. ECCHO will also host the artist in residence program, with artist Lynn Parotti, as well as support curated programming year-round including artist talks and lectures, musical events, and more.

It’s an enlightening, cool place to escape the heat of the midday sun. The gallery has a New York-style industrial finish, think: raw, exposed ceiling, moveable walls and polished concrete floors. Showcased throughout are sculptures, paintings and photography that depict life in the tropics and beyond.

If escapism is your thing, then you’ll find more of it at the Rosewood spa, Sense. The resort’s awareness of destination continues here with its menu of spa treatments which deep-dives into Caribbean heritage. The Lost Remedies therapies reach back to the ancient knowledge of the Caribbean’s indigenous people. The Arawak Body Balance, for instance, uses healing practices of the Arawak Indians, who were the first inhabitants of the islands. The treatment includes hot and cold compresses, a body wrap using Moringa Leaf and a body massage using a hand-made, natural balm infused with rosemary and sage.

From the water park for children to the choice of pools (one for adults only), there’s much to fill your days. In additon, all guests at Rosewood can access all the facilities and restaurants at the other hotels, too (but not vice versa), including the largest casino in the Caribbean that links the three.

Dining is another highlight with an outpost by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud. Café Boulud offers ‘a taste of France in the Bahamas’ with impeccable signature dishes, such as Tournedos Rossini and Spiny Lobster spiked with mango, chayote and fennel. There’s a six-course tasting menu and a fine wine cellar, which you can book for private dining.

For a more relaxed vibe, head to Costa, circled by a Koi-pond, and serving inventive Mexican cuisine using local Bahamian ingredients – from Mahi Mahi Tacos to Roasted Chicken and Spicy Mole Negro. Tap into the mezcal, tequila and craft cocktail menu to add to the authentic culinary experience (the Mango Passion is a highlight – its sweet-piquant flavours are dangerously moreish! – using mango rum blended with lime, passion and pineapple juices).

Next month, Baha Mar sees the return of The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival (27-29 October 2023). Having launched last year, it brings together some of the world’s most celebrated chefs, who also have restaurants at Baha Mar – including Marcus Samuelsson of Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, Katsuya Uechi of Katsuya, and Dario Cecchini of Carna – for dining events, masterclasses and interactive experiences.

Meanwhile, a vast collection of artwork from seven different Caribbean nations will also be showcased, as well as artist-led panel discussions, guided tours and a specially curated film series. Bringing together the flavours and the soul of the Bahamas, it’s a reflection of what Rosewood Baha Mar does so very well.