As Grand Bahama Island's most hospitable hotel, the Pelican Bay is a joyful mix of colorful Bahamian architecture and the finest guest service in the Caribbean. Unique waterside rooms and waterside state rooms enfold you in comfort, while offering special guest touches. Renowned standards of hospitality and attention to guest happiness assure you of a memorable stay in the Bahamas.Part of the Pelican Bay experience is located within steps of your room. In addition to our waterfront Sabor Restaurant and Bar, more than 30 restaurants, bars, shops, live entertainment, the Dolphin Experience, scuba diving, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing trips are a short stroll away.Immediately across the street are two miles of white sand beach, a full service spa, four "Grand Slam" surface tennis courts and a casino. All this is the happy Pelican Bay experience, one you will remember with fondness.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Business
Languages Spoken
English
Location
Sea Horse Rd, Freeport Grand Bahama Island
Pelican Bay Hotel
1,152 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
The complex and rooms are nice. They are doing some construction work but it didn't disrupt my stay. The Lucaya Bay shopping complex is about 3 blocks away and has a few restaurants. Prices there are on the expensive side but you can deal with it for a few meals. While the staff at the hotel is good, food is expensive. You will be greeted by a completely empty refrigerator when you arrive at your room. How expensive can it be to put a few cold drinks in it for all patrons for the year? The answer is that is much less than the profits they would earn if I were to book just one 4 day stay, which won't be happening. To add insult to injury, the price of cold drinks in the cooler in the lobby is marked up 200%. In other words, they sell a 12oz can for $3. I wonder if there is a connection between these 2 policies. So if you are arriving in the evening, better come with your own food until you can get a lay of the land to avoid being held hostage by the hotel. A typical breakfast of eggs and bacon or sausage costs $20 in their restaurant. Better to skip them and walk down to the Zorba restaurant a few blocks away and pay $8 or $9.
The room was nice but I had a problem with the AC. It cooled the room well but even if you set it at the highest temperature of 78 F, you would still be too cold. I had to unplug it in order to sleep. I also had an issue with the bed. They seem to use some awful smelling disinfectant on the mattress or in washing the linen that made it difficult to sleep. Maybe they can try a lavender smelling disinfectant instead.
While the staff is good, apparently the management hasn't figured out that generosity (especially with small, relatively inexpensive things) goes a long way towards ensuring customer satisfaction. They better figure it out before other hotels come online in the area.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Check that the AC is fully adjustable
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a nice hotel with a very pleasant staff and adjacent to a small tourist village with some nice restaurants. The rooms were newly done since the terrible hurricane that decimated Freeport. They were clean, spacious, nicely laid out and with a lovely view from the balcony. The furnishings are comfortable utilitarian and showed little sign of wear and tear. The bathroom was well lit, nice sized and with a shower that was a cinch to turn on and use. Bones Bar has great beer. We recommend the locally brewed Bones Ale. The breakfast buffet is a bit disappointing without fruit on 2 days and never any yogurt. Dinner at Sabor was excellent as they cooked our fresh catch perfectly. (Why the restaurants throughout the island refuse to serve tap water is shrouded in mystery. Apparently there was some salt intrusion but this is now corrected. Could this be a ploy to improve the bottom line). This hotel is close to being 4 stars But to achieve a better rating I would ask for cleaner elevators, utensils and dish towels and some kitchen soap for the small kitchenette. A better buffet breakfast would also help. We look forward to visit again next year with these improvements in mind.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our group of 7 booked 4 rooms. Check in was fast and easy, and we enjoyed a fre welcome drink at the pool and waterside Sabor restaurant and bar. From there a free ferry runs hourly (til 11 on) to and from Taino Beach. The suites were spacious, spotless, and very comfortable. There’s a Nespresso and a Mr Coffee in the kitchenette and a free liter of water. The beds were very comfortable and the hot water was practically instantaneous. A closet safe, iron/ironing board, and bathroom amenities include bar soap, shower gel, skin lotion, shampoo and conditioner. The flat screen TV was uncomplicated, but paled in comparison with the spectacular view. Do not miss the Bahama bread at the breakfast buffet! The staff is exceedingly friendly and welcoming. Situated next to the Port Lucaya Marketplace Definitely will return! Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The place itself is quite alright, they say it's a 4 star hotel but it's pretty much what you would expect from a 3 star hotel in the U.S. Our renovated room was "quickly and cheaply" renovated but still, the bed was comfortable and there was hot water. Anyway, the problem here is the fact that most employees just don't care about you. On arrival, they couldn't find our reservation and we felt like it was our problem. We had a confirmation email so in the end they had to make it right but it was a pretty long process. Also, my wife is celiac, she can't eat gluten. At breakfast when we asked if there were any gluten free options, we were simply told "NO". We weren't asking for anything special, just to confirm if there was gluten in the scrambled eggs for example. Checking with the kitchen or the chef is too hard. So NO. We were there for 2 weeks and no breakfast even if it's supposed to be included. I wouldn't like to know how they would deal with someone in a wheelchair or other disabilities. They advertise a ferry service to a nearby beach, it should operate until 11 pm. The service is actually down (you'll find out once at the dock) and replaced by a small van/shuttle service that ends at 6 pm. Both times we tried to take it, it never came, hotel staff kept saying it should come without trying to find what was happening. The hotel restaurant is open everyday for lunch and dinner unless they find a reason to keep it closed... You'll only know once you're there. The pools aren't heated. If you have a suite, you'll get a dishwasher but don't expect detergent for it. Don't expect dish cloths either. Service is everything and you won't get much at the Pelican Bay, unfortunately.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Della Bridgewater, Guest Services / Front Office at Pelican Bay Hotel
Responded Jan 11, 2024
Dear travellingJF, We are saddened to read your view and deeply sorry that you left feeling that we don't care. As we were made aware of your complaint we made it a priority to address within the same day. We did have certain gluten free items you requested such as fruits and ham. We have had other gluten free requests in the past and the standard is to simply treat them as a special order request to our kitchen. Our Front Office agent Latoya spoke with you directly and advised you that we would be able to accommodate your request, however you indicated that you would upgrade to the stateroom where you could cook your own meals. In an effort to express our goodwill and commitment to your satisfaction, we also extended a goodwill gesture on your upgrade. We hope this gesture demonstrated our dedication to making amends for any shortcomings in your experience. Taino Beach Resort, which runs and operates the ferry did have difficulties during the month of December and we acknowledge that they used an alternative mode of transportation by van. We will certainly review this and try to find an alternative that allows for a later return time. Our Restaurant closed early on New Years Eve to prepare for the Dinner Party and we were closed New Years day to give our team members an opportunity to rest. We do apologize that this was an inconvenience to you. A listing of other restaurants were available at our Front Office. Once again, I genuinely apologize for any lapses in our service that may have tarnished your stay. We genuinely value your feedback, and your insights will certainly guide us in enhancing our offerings and ensuring a more seamless experience for our guests.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I had a very relaxing time at this beautiful hotel. The location is perfect - right on a canal. The ferry to Taino Beach has just started up again (after being out of service due to deck repairs). It is free and goes from a dock at the hotel to Taino Beach (which is a lovely secluded beach). In late January, it was running once an hour. I would say this hotel is probably best for someone who wants to spend time at the three pools or Tiano beach, rather than do a ton of activities, as the surrounding area is pretty quiet. I would recommend the nearby Lucaya marketplace for its restaurants, which draw locals as well as tourists.
I also enjoyed the hotel's breakfast buffet - worth the money if you like eggs, meat and potatoes, etc., as I do. The staff was excellent and helped me with any questions or requests I had.
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel is great, location is excellent. You can walk next door to aport Lucaya and several restaurants with excellent food onsite, Sabor, Flying Fish. The staff is always friendly. We atayed for two weeks, Dec through Jan 4 and we went back earlier this month, I am staying there again this weekend for a girl's trip and will be back for spring break in a couple of months with my family.
The only suggestion I would make is to bring flip flops to wear in the room and dont wear white socks on the floor, they vet really dirty.
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Wear flip flops in the room. You can walk to Port Lucaya. There are restaurants on site that...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had the most wonderful experience here! We'd highly recommend for singles, couple or families.
First, we had traveled almost 12 hours and were exhausted by arrival. Andrea was there to greet us, answer all of our questions patiently (we were so tired) and she was friendly and welcoming. We visited the front desk a few times during our stay and we also saw Channing, who answered our questions and helped us book and excursion. She was so friendly and offered great assistance.
The property was gorgeous and I watched the staff take care of all the plants, trees and flowers each day. I appreciated the investment they put into the property grounds.
The room was a good size for us two, clean and had plenty of space. The bed was comfortable and I utilized the desk almost every day. I loved the view from the balcony and spent a few mornings there, enjoying my latte from Zorbas.
We loved how Pelican Bay was within a few minutes walk from various restaurants, easy access to beaches and we felt safe walking in the evening. We ate at Sabors a few times, I recommend the chocolate martini and fritters.
We also appreciated how the staff greeted us as we walked around the property, we felt acknowledged and respected.
I've already told family members that we recommend Pelican Bay and we will definitely return there for another vacation.
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Date of stay: December 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Great for families, we felt safe walking the grounds at night, even to the close bars and...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
3 seniors visited end of April. We loved staying in the suites. Balconies overlooking the canal, very comfortable for a 7 night stay. Entire facility was very clean & well cared for. Loved the grounds, ferry to Taino Beach, 3 pools, & location with all the nearby attractions. Sabor was great. All the staff from housekeeping, lobby staff, restaurant staff & grounds keepers were so nice, welcoming & helpful. Side note loved the fragrance in the lobby! Well done! If you need transportation we highly recommend 3B's Taxi & Tours.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel was very clean and the location was excellent. It is within walking distance to the Lucayan Marketplace where you will find your typical vendors working hard to make a living. The property has 3 pools and all of them offer a nice view of the harbor in the background. Only negative was the breakfast. It has a nice offering but the staff do not keep things running well. Out of Coffee, out of Eggs, out out of silverware, out of cups. For $20 per person, you should not have to wait on all these things. After day 2, we decided to eat at the local market so management is really losing business. .The people here are similar to the great people of Bahamas. I’ve travelled to many Caribbean nations and islands and I’ve never met nicer, more polite people.
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Date of stay: April 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed for a week with 2 kids and wife. Nice rooms quiet resort very friendly staff, boat to Tarino bay was quick and easy. Gym was very good. breakfast was good but not much variety was the only drawback. Reception staff were all very friendly and helpful esp Amanda. You could walk to beach in under 9 minutes of you did not want to get boat to Tarino beach /resort. Very close to lots of restraunts and lucanyo market.
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Date of stay: January 2025
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I believe the casino you are referring to is closed. I was there at the end of Sept. and it was closed and someone said something about the property being sold.
New Providence Island499 contributions151 helpful votes
The room I stayed in had a living area with kitchen, a separate bedroom and a bathroom. The bathroom was accessed from the living area but it is all part of the one suite, you don’t leave the room to use the bathroom
You will enjoy your time! Yes, U.S. currency is excepted. There is an on site restaurant and Bar. There are countless restaurants and bars within walking distance. Some don't serve dinner before 5pm. So, if there is a specific place you want to go make sure you verify the business hours.
There are more places to choose from in the Freeport area.
PRICE RANGE
$171 - $281 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
pelican bay at lucaya hotel freeport, pelican bay at lucaya freeport, pelican bay lucaya
LOCATION
CaribbeanBahamasGrand Bahama IslandFreeport
NUMBER OF ROOMS
183
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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