Page 68 - Travel Leisure - USA (February 2020)

BOUTIQUE BAHAMAS
C A R I B B E A N S P E C I A L Swimming with Dorian, the storm left most of the archipelago’s 700 islands untouched. It’s
While Grand Bahama and the Abacos face years of rebuilding after Hurricane

an exciting time to visit, thanks to a group of recently arrived and renovated
indie hotels that channel the pride of their owners. BY HANNAH WALHOUT

squirrelfish in the
British Virgin Islands.
1. NEW PROVIDENCE
With a Zen aesthetic 2. ELEUTHERA floor-to-ceiling
windows facing the
You’ll find the Other
and an art-house Side on one of the sea. onthe os.com;
Dive in to cinema, the 30-room country’s least doubles from $600.
the BVIs Island House is an developed islands. 3. SOUTH ANDROS
alternative to
Less beach resort and
Nassau’s larger more solar- powered HGTV Canada stars
resorts. Guests have safari camp, the luxe Bryan and Sarah
Did you know? These access to a private tented suites and Baeumler purchased
beach club nearby. hilltop cottages will an abandoned 1960s
islands have some of
the-island-house.com; soon be joined by resort and trans-
the best scuba spots doubles from $395. three villas with formed it into the 24-
in the region. Kay Van room Caerula Mar,
which opens this
month. It’s the first
Abaco new hotel in nearly 20
Islands
years, and has inspired
loves Seal Dog Rock, other businesses, like
Grand
off her home of Bahama conch shacks and
Virgin Gorda. The fishing charters.
site, ideal for all e a
levels, teems with doubles from $375.
rays, barracuda, and
sharks. She also After Dorian, the team
recognizes Beyond
Kamalame Cay raised
the Reef, which
more than $30,000 for
designs artificial reefs the residents of the
to boost marine life.
The nonprofit North
Andros owners David and
created a new
Michael King-Hew from
“wreck” last year
when it submerged
the Willy T, a beloved
barge bar damaged
by Hurricane Irma,
off Peter Island. And
Van Leuven says the COURTESY OF BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS TOURIST BOARD AND FILM COMMISSION. ILLUSTRATION BY MAY PARSEY
best wreck in the
Caribbean is the
RMS Rhone, a 310-foot
U.K. Royal Mail ship
that sank off Salt
Island in 1867. Louisa
Fisher (louisa@
original diving.com),
the dive specialist on
the T+L A-List, can
help plan a trip.
— REBECCA
ASCHER-WALSH

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