It Takes a Ferry to Reach This Intimate Bahamas Hotel — With a Private Sandy Beach and Just a Handful of Rooms

When you think of the Bahamas, the mega-resorts of Nassau likely come to mind — but then there are small slices of serenity like Hope Town. With fewer than 500 year-round residents, you don’t have to worry about crowds here, making it the perfect home for The Island Retreat, a boutique hotel in Hope Town on Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands.

Nestled in nature along the beach, The Island Retreat’s loudest noise is a rooster’s early morning crow. The silence was calming. I inhaled, taking in the views on the expansive deck facing miles and miles of white sand beach. This was my first clue as to why the resort is named as such.

When I walked down the deck stairs to the beach below and no one was in sight, I felt like I was on a private island. Unsurprisingly, the resort attracts groups of friends and families for weddings, milestone birthdays, and family reunion celebrations. They may have the place to themselves.

With no masses to cater to, I relished the personal attention of the owner, Sheri Falk. Nearly a decade ago, she and her late husband, Buzz, purchased the property they fell in love with on one of their many trips to Hope Town and the Abaco Islands. She made us feel welcome as we chatted freely like old friends. 

Of course, her staff was warm, too. Chris took good care of us, promptly giving us his phone number so we could call at any time. He could be counted on to advise us about where to go, show up with more Champagne, keep us laughing, and drive us around in the golf cart. A friendship formed fast, and we missed him when we left. A beautiful place is made even better when those there have big smiles and bigger hearts — that was part of what made The Island Retreat so special.

The bottle of Champagne and charcuterie board waiting for me in the kitchen of my beautifully appointed two-bedroom cottage was welcome — just what I needed to beat traveler’s fatigue — and when a cook came to prepare dinner for the evening, I felt pampered indeed. The feast of Bahamian goodies like conch fritters, rice and peas, macaroni pie, fish, and chicken was enough to ensure a good night’s sleep in my plush bed.

You can’t help but catch your breath here, whether you kick back on your patio with a book, listen to the hypnotic sound of waves crashing below, or swim in the pool and settle into a lounger. I also enjoyed the private morning yoga class on the pool deck — staring at the ocean with a gentle breeze took me to another level, and I nearly fell asleep during the meditation that closed the class.

If you want to walk on the wild side, The Island Retreat isn’t for you. Here, it’s all about reflection, restoration, and renewal. Read on for a full review of this island refuge.

The Rooms

With four rooms, one suite, two villas, and one cottage on-site, there are no bad room choices at The Island Retreat.

The Fireplace Room in the Main House is cozy, with a queen-size Murphy bed that allows you to glimpse the oceanfront sunrise. It also has an en suite bathroom. The Honeymoon Suite is an oceanfront, private, upstairs single room with a king-size bed and private deck. The Master Suite is spacious, with a sitting area, private balcony, king-size bed, and epic views of the sunrise and the ocean through all the windows.

Splurge and stay in the cottage — you’ll thank yourself later. Nothing is left to chance here, with many windows, wood-beamed ceilings, beach-inspired décor, and every kitchen appliance you could ever need, including a washer and dryer. Your little haven is heavenly indeed. Falk’s background as a fashion designer stands out here — she said it was important for guests to feel comfortable in a modern environment. Mission accomplished.

Food and Drink

Falk and her husband are from Texas, and their background is represented by authentic Tex-Mex flavors and options in the food and beverages.  The Cantina Restaurant & Bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner by the pool.  The ocean views make cocktail time even more enjoyable, especially at sunset. The specialty is tacos, be it achiote-marinated grilled chicken served alongside chipotle crema with red onions and cotija cheese, flank steak, or blackened shrimp. The kitchen also incorporates local offerings from the sea in its fresh-catch fish tacos.  The homemade jalapeño cheese bread breakfast sandwich is something you’ll remember long after you’re home.

Here, drinks-wise, it’s all about the tequila: The hand-crafted margaritas are a favorite on the island. Falk visits Mexico annually and brings back small-batch bottles of specialized tequilas.

Activities and Experiences

The 25-foot pool is the place to be.  Even if you’re not interested in taking a dip, some of the best views on the property are from the pool and deck area. Get comfortable in a lounger facing the ocean with a cocktail or mocktail in hand.

If you absolutely must keep your exercise routine, the gym is there to keep you on track. Falk continues to expand it with new free weights, a Peloton bike, and yoga classes. Beyond the gym, you can walk or run on the beach.

The Living Room in the Main House is a communal space where guests can gather for coffee, board games, or to watch Netflix or sports.

The Spa

The Island Retreat is home to a Wellness Center, which is unsurprising given that Falk is a certified Pilates instructor and her husband was a licensed massage therapist. Relax with a Swedish or deep tissue massage.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Rooms are ADA compliant.

Location

Hope Town is less than two miles long, so nothing is far. From The Island Retreat, hop in a golf cart (you can hire or rent one) and enjoy all the town offers. A few favorite spots in town include restaurants Cap ‘n Jacks and Firefly Bar and Grill. You can climb to the top of the Elbow Reef Lighthouse, or inquire about going out on the water with Cruise Abaco for diving, snorkeling, or simply soaking up the sun.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Many returning families enjoy a special offering of exclusive use of the Main House by renting all three rooms in the Main House: the Master Suite, the Bunk Room, and the Fireplace Room. They all have private accommodations and often choose to be served in the dining room by the in-house chef.