re: Baha Mar Resort

Here's my review from when we went during Mardi Gras last year.

Baha Mar Review for Shotgun Willie. Warning, very long.
I think I have finally recovered from our trip to Bahamar last week. We arrived Saturday, 2/26 and were truly amazed out how nice the people were and how immaculate the place is. This was a long awaited family vacation for my wife and I, my daughter, my son and his girlfriend so we splurged on a 3 bedroom/ 4 bathroom condo-type room on the 27th (top) floor of the West Wing of the hotel complete with full kitchen,washer dryer, dishwasher, dining room, living room, etc. Right at 2200 square feet including 5 balconies overlooking the beach and BahaBay (the waterpark). Amenities in the room were first class and the beds were comfortable. There was a mini-bar with a decent selection of snacks and liquor, but we had stopped at the airport and loaded up on booze knowing that the drinks were a bit on the pricey side. Everyone was encouraged to wear masks inside, but I'd say only 25% of the guests wore them and those that didn't weren't told anything about putting them on.
Quick reviews of the restaurants.
Pizza Bar - probably our favorite spot with the outdoor seating by the water fountain show and food variety for the whole family. The wait staff was super nice. We went back here a few times for dinner/lunch/dessert
Swimming Pig - good food, but more like a nice version of Chili's
Sugar Factory - it's a chain restaurant so nothing spectacular
Fi-Lia - nicer of the restaurants and the food/service reflected it
Schuang Ba - dinner for 2 was part of the package. We sat down, ordered a drink and left. Too loud and too busy for a nice dinner that we were hoping for.
Carna - very nice with amazing food and service
Katsuya - upscale Japanese with great food

My son made a very good observation after a few days and he was spot on. The nicer the restaurant, the more uppity the wait staff appears, so we stuck to Pizza Lab and some of the food trucks scattered around the resort which produce amazing food.
Some other observations - the casino was empty and after a couple hours, I found out why. Few table games open and very tight machines.

BahaBay - again we splurged and got a super nice cabana each day we were there and it was great having a server and a place to chill out, but not necessary. There are other more kid-friendly cabanas in the waterpark and outside of Bahabay on the hotel property. The waterpark was actually fun for all of us. We had it pretty much to ourselves everyday except Sunday.
I had read reviews of the rooms being loud and I figured these people must have had bad luck with loud people next to them, but shockingly, the elevator motors are very loud for some reason. We were also woken up at random times each night by loud bangs and even what sounded like someone trying to bust down the door. This wasn't amorous neighbors. This was downright loud and annoying.

We all had to test negative before we could check-in for our flight back and had to get the Bahama's health visa before we left. They have on-site testing which is convenient. Daily testing is not required.

The reviews of them nickle and diming you to death is absolutely spot on. Service charges and Value added taxes are added to every transaction. Keep every receipt and go compare it to their total daily or every couple days. You're in the Bahamas and things cost more, but even I was shocked at that number at the bottom of the portfolio when we left. It adds up quickly and only 2 of really drank more than normal. Few if any places accept cash.

Separate review of Royal Blue Golf Course which is right down the road. Absolutely the best golf course I've ever played. PXG rental clubs, amazing views and super nice staff. A bit pricy, but worth it.

If anyone has any other questions about Baha Mar, let me know.