The Food
Small Hope Bay Lodge
Food and drink are included in the daily hotel rate, and the fare is tastier than the usual all-inclusive stuff. Breakfast features an array of American standards (cereal, pancakes, omelets) as well as a traditional Bahamian breakfast (an outstanding sardine salad on grits, for instance). Lunch is served buffet-style, and dinner is a relaxed affair, often eaten on oceanside picnic tables. From 6 to 8:45 p.m., kids can eat and play, supervised by babysitters, in the game room (complete with a Ping-Pong table), giving parents a little alone time to sample the locally caught fish and potent cocktails.
Taste & Sea RestaurantGo for the conch fritters and the peas and rice (Bahamian for beans and rice) at this laid-back patio restaurant, worth skipping your free hotel meal for at least once. The restaurant's gregarious co-owner, Cinderella, is likely to pop open a root beer and tell you about the island while you eat.
Love Hill, (242) 368-2890.
The Shopping
Androsia Batik Factory
Workers at this small plant hand-produce incredible (and incredibly inexpensive) batik cloth and sarongs. Visitors can watch the waxing and dyeing process in action, or take a lesson themselves for $25 each.
(242) 368-2020.
Good To Know
Money
The official currency is the Bahamian dollar, but U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere. There are no ATMs on the island, so bring some cash to spend on the few extras not covered in Small Hope's all-inclusive rate.
TransportationDon't bother renting a car, since there's little need to stray from the resort. You can take the occasional cab ride or grab a bike (they're free for guests) to check out the other parts of the island.
CommunicationMost international cell phones work. Small Hope has a computer with Internet access in the office.
