British Colonial Nassau

The British Colonial is the grand old hotel of downtown Nassau, and the best base if you want to walk to the city’s sights, shops and restaurants. It stands at One Bay Street, at the western end of the main shopping street, on the site of Fort Nassau, built in 1697. Henry Flagler opened the first Colonial Hotel here in 1901; after it burned in 1922, the current seven-storey building opened in 1924 and became one of the Caribbean’s classic hotels, later known for many years as the British Colonial Hilton. After the Hilton affiliation ended in 2022, the hotel closed for an extensive renovation and reopened as the British Colonial on 19 December 2023. Today it has 288 rooms, a private beach on the harbour with loungers and cabanas, two outdoor pools, and Woodes Rogers Tavern among its restaurants and bars, with the Margaritaville Beach Resort next door. Ships at the cruise port are a five to ten minute walk away, and from the ocean-view rooms you watch them arrive.

Location and getting around: the hotel anchors the western end of Bay Street, so the cruise port, the Straw Market, Parliament Square, the Queen’s Staircase and the Bites of Nassau food tour are all within walking distance. Junkanoo Beach and the Arawak Cay Fish Fry are a short walk or taxi ride west. For Paradise Island, take a taxi or water taxi across the harbour. Covered self-parking and valet are charged daily.

The rooms: there are thirteen room types, from city-view and garden-view queens and kings to ocean-view rooms on the upper floors facing the harbour and the Atlantic. Suites add a parlour, and the Prime Minister Suite has a 270-degree view and a big balcony. All rooms have a mini fridge, coffee maker and safe.

Who it suits: first-time visitors, cruise travellers adding a night before or after their sailing, and anyone who prefers walking to taxis. It is better value than the resorts and full of history.

Good to know: ask for an ocean-view room on floors four to seven for the best harbour views. Street-facing rooms can catch downtown noise. The hotel also sells day passes and daybeds if you only want the beach.