We traveled to the Bahamas over Thanksgiving through a package received through my employer. We were a bit concerned about the Island Palm because of these reviews, but our experience was very nice.

We travel a fair bit, and we typically stay at less expensive properties, so that we can enjoy excursions with the savings (and how much time do you plan to spend in your room?). When we checked in, the hotel staff was being berated by two couples who were insisting that they were told that they were staying at a luxury hotel with an oceanfront room balcony. Get Real - a room like that would be well over $300 a night, and it isn't the hotel's fault if people don't do their homework. The other thing that we heard people complain about was the "resort tax" which is paid everywhere; we knew about it before we traveled, so no problem, but again some people did not have proper information, and they took it out on the hotel staff. And what a shame - it was a beautiful day that they should have been enjoying.

The staff was very nice, especially considering what they faced from those people at check in. The staff does do things at an "island pace" (like anywhere elsein the islands), but to us that was part of the vacation - relax and have a rum punch. We had booked the Dolphin Experience before travel (thanks for that tip ASI), but we booked other excursions at the on site activities desk.

The room was very clean, large, and the air conditioning was almost too good! The pool was beautiful, and while the downtown area is quiet with the Royal Oasis closed, many stores and the bank were very close and convenient. The shuttle to the beach was very convenient (BEAUTIFUL beach, and we watched an awesome sunset there one evening); we had been advised by our travel provider to use the public busses that run from early morning until 8pm - it was a fun experience, and very inexpensive! We did take a taxi at night, but the fares are just like any city in the US (actually, a little cheaper).

The new on site restaurant at the Island Palm was decent, and we ate breakfast twice and had one dinner there (the steak dinner was very good), and prices were better than most island destinations (we have been to Puerto Rico, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Antigua, and Grand Bahama was much cheaper, plus there is no currency exchange to worry about). We ate at Port Lucaya one evening at Pisces, and that was also good. We did the Beach party on another night, and that was GREAT!

We were advised to book the Dolphin Experience in advance, and we were glad that we did. It was agreat experience, and it did sell out. Other people who posted also mentioned this. Also, other people had mentioned taking a refillable water bottle; definitely do this, as you need rehydration in the sun, and the water ther is very good.

We had a very nice trip, and the Island palm was what we had expected - a clean, comfortable mid range hotel. If you want a fancy resort, then expect to pay the price; the Island palm was a good value, and we will stay there again.

A few things - use sunscreen, and take a hat, as the sun is intense. Currency is at par, and US funds are used everywhere, so you don't have to worry about exchange. Newspapers are a day late and very expensive, so take magazines or a book to read. We were very busy, but it is a great place to kick back and relax. And don't be abrupt or in a hurry with the local people, as they do things at a slower pace.

Ok I have stayed in some pretty bad places but this is the worse for the money.
I had booked my hotel through the RCI exchange book which is the book for all People who own timeshare and want to exchange their vacation spot for another anywhere in the world.
Location was terrible nothing is near you at all, no beaches, no shopping, and no entertainment.
Everything is via bus, taxi, or shuttle that goes to a Timeshare Resort. On beach remote from everything. Everyone expects a tip, and tips are figured into everything. Then of course there is a Bahamian tax per person per night. A bit retarded might as well said government tax but it’s only for non-natives
The Staff, had visited my room everyday I was there (4) days and they did not clean nothing at all only took out the garbage and through clean towels into the bathroom, there was mold on my shower wall since I had arrived, there was roach on the floor in the room that can be seen every time entering or leaving. So super not clean.
Of course comfort wise a zero on a scale of 1-10. Tile floors, dirty, cramped bathroom, doors do not lock, stiff mattress with soggy ends that bend to the floor, and window mount air conditioner that worked when it wanted to.
Island - Expensive, rude people. Only people friendly were Bus Drivers and few Restaurant personnel. Drinks food, anything you name is 2 xs if not 3x more that what your use to paying, this is not their fault. The economy is an import only so they mark everything up 100 to 200 percent.

Me and my boyfriend stayed 3 nights at the Island Palm Resort from October 17th to 20th in a first floor room. The hotel was pretty deserted when we were there, but it seemes a large amount of people arrived on the Sautrday morning we left. That being said, we were well catered for by the staff of the hotel. We had a toilet problem which was fixed within minutes of calling the concierge, but no other issues. The Hotel is not close to much of anything, but it is a $1 bus ride or $7 cab ride from the International Bazaar (which by the way has 60% shuttered stores right now, very depressing) The free shuttle to the other resort, and the Sheraton runs only a couple times a day. I think 10 am 1:30pm, 3:30, and 5 something. You can take the bus to the Sheraton/Port Lucaya/ Capri Casino for one dollar. Or a cab is about $10. The Sheraton Beach is better to go to because of the proximity to the Port Lucaya restaurants and entertainment.
I did not eat at the restaurant, but I recommend bringing snacks and drinks to the bahamas because food is very expensive there. Expect to pay 8-10 dollars for a burger and fries, or around the same for a halfway decent native meal, namely Beckys restaurant.

I had "won" a trip to Freeport (years ago, when I could still be suckered). I took a horrible cruise there, only to find an equally horrible hotel room awaiting me. The a/c didn't work, it was not clean, the staff were rude, the beach was far from one of the prettiest beaches on the island. If you can afford to, please, stay somewhere else!