Taking a shuttle ride from our cruise ship dock to Pelican Bay Hotel where my grandson Logan and I will be spending two nights on Grand Bahama Island, driver Barbara told us Pelican Bay is known as “The Happy Hotel.”

After checking in and seeing our room, I can definitely see why Pelican Bay has gained that reputation. Check-in is usually the first impression guests get of a hotel and Pelican Bay does it politely and quickly.

We were greeted with a fruit punch drink and given some hotel info by the desk clerk. For such a large facility, the hotel is surprisingly quiet and our superior stateroom is lovely. The 186-room resort recently completed a $4 million renovation of 48 suites including ours. About 75 percent of the hotel rooms have been renovated in the last five years.

The hotel grounds are very clean and beautifully landscaped. The hotel elevators and walkways also are tidy and free of litter. That is always a good sign. Means hotel staff and guests must take pride in keeping everything clean and well maintained.

The tropical décor and colorful Bahamian architecture plus towering palms and stunning Bell Channel Bay present a wonderful welcome. Our waterside room has a private balcony, large cable TV, complimentary coffee and Nespresso machine, pullout sofa bed, free WiFi, bedroom, kitchen area with mini-fridge and microwave, complimentary bottled water, bath robes and roomy bathroom.

Pelican Bay has a spa, three outdoor pools, 24-hour fitness center, two onsite restaurants and Captain’s Galley buffet breakfast bar. Pelican Bay also features 7½ acres of white sand beach a short ferry boat ride away to Taino Beach.

A complimentary boat shuttle departs from the Pelican Bay main pool to take guests to Taino Beach. The boat shuttle departs every hour on the hour from 1 to 9 p.m. on Monday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. The boat ride is a great way to see more of the island.

My grandson and I arrived at Grand Bahama Island as part of a Margaritaville at Sea Cruise & Stay program. We took a two-night cruise from West Palm Beach, Florida, on the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. We cruised for one night, got off the ship in Grand Bahama Island for two nights at Pelican Bay Hotel.

Then we will Margaritaville at Sea Paradise for a one-night cruise back to West Palm Beach and a flight home to Indy. Great program.

Pelican Bay Hotel is next door to Grand Lucaya Marketplace with its collection of restaurants, shops and outdoor music. We had breakfast two mornings at the Pelican Bay Hotel buffet, a bounty of food that should please every palate.

We also ate a lunch and a dinner at Pelican Bay’s main restaurant, Sabor and enjoyed a late-night margarita at Bones Bar. One of the best parts of both places was the water views. That is something that Pelican Bay Hotel has in abundance.

Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch

1. Pelican Bay has a wonderful water location. (cover photo)
2. One of three outdoor swimming pools at Pelican Bay
3. Sabor Restaurant at Pelican Bay

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