We chose Grand Isle Resort for our first trip to Exuma, expecting the convenience of a hotelâonsite dining, a gym, and some flexibilityâbut it fell short. The villa was spacious, though the promised âocean viewâ was just a distant sliver. The gym was small with outdated equipment, but usable. Palapa, the poolside restaurant, offered bland, repetitive menus; conch fritters were doughy, and the Bahamian snapper was mostly bones and oddly deep-fried. The mahi sandwich was the only standout.
23° North was a birthday dinner disappointment. The steak was unevenly cut and inconsistently cooked, the grouper was just okay, and despite noting the occasion, we had to ask for a candle. Service throughout the resort was strongâunfortunately, the food didnât match.
One major letdown was the resortâs rigid 11am checkout. Unlike most hotels, they refused any extension. Worse, âbag storageâ meant leaving luggage in plain sight by the front deskâcompletely unsecured. For a resort, this felt surprisingly unaccommodating.
Also worth noting: the atmosphere leaned heavily family-oriented, with kids everywhereânot ideal for couples seeking a quieter stay.
Next time, weâll choose one of the many oceanfront private villa rentals. At least expectations there are clearerâand often better met.
