Sponsored by Embrace Resort, Staniel Cay

How are you going to beat a Bahama Island resort expertise that begins with a shocking scenic flight over the Exuma Cays and an airport switch in a golf cart? For sure, our getaway to Staniel Cay was off to a flying begin (pun meant).

Staniel Cay was every part a tropical Caribbean trip must be. No growth. No frantic tempo. Hardly any vehicles. I felt the strain unwinding as every minute ticked down. For the 4 days we spent within the Exumas, the remainder of the world didn’t exist.

Our dwelling away from dwelling was Embrace Resort, Staniel Cay’s first Bahamian-owned lodge, from the primary feminine entrepreneurs in its 100-year historical past!

Our days had been spent swimming with pigs and sharks, sunning with iguanas, and witnessing among the most lovely seashores and sunsets we’ve seen on this planet.

On this information, we’ll divulge to you every part it is advisable find out about staying on the Embrace Resort in addition to all of the explanation why we beloved it.

Earlier than we share extra in regards to the resort and Flyin’ Pig Cafe, let me first let you know precisely the place on this planet Staniel Cay is!

The place are Staniel Cay and The Exuma Islands?

The Exuma Cays are an oasis of 365 distant islands stretching throughout the Tropic of Most cancers within the southern half of The Bahamas.

They’re situated about 250-miles southeast of Florida and 75-miles south of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. The Bahama Islands are literally within the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea, however the nation is a part of CARICOM, the Caribbean Neighborhood.

The Exumas are recognized for being extra distant and unique than the northern islands of the Bahamas, and so you’ll be able to usually discover celebrities hiding out right here of their tremendous yachts and personal islands.

Staniel Cay is without doubt one of the bigger islands and is situated on the coronary heart of the Exuma Cays. Because it has one of many solely touchdown airport strips it has turn out to be the gateway to the Exuma archipelago.

Many vacationers come out and in every day for a swimming with pigs’ tour from Nassau, and this small island neighborhood is dwelling to round 100 residents, and the Embrace Resort is situated close to to the wonderful Thunderball Grotto and Pig Seaside.

About Embrace Resort in Staniel Cay

Embrace Resort was opened in 2014 by a neighborhood Bahamian girl, Nicole (Nikki) who has been working within the tourism business for 30 years.

The resort goals to embrace the true essence of Bahamian tradition – leisure and a spot the place households can come collectively.

We love that Embrace Resort is a family-owned enterprise that’s the product of affection and expertise.

Examine-In Expertise at Embrace Resort

Our check-in expertise was as easy as to be anticipated. Our host, Natajia, greeted us in a golf cart with a beaming smile and an exuberant wave like we had been long-lost associates, and a welcome I’ve come to know from my global travel experiences.

You know the way simple it’s for strangers to turn out to be associates in the event you break down preliminary limitations with a heat and genuine greeting that claims, “I’m so joyful to satisfy you! As a result of I do know you’ll have a distinction that may intrigue me and a similarity that helps me really feel related.”

“Desire a tour of the island earlier than you test in?” she requested. Natajia whizzed round within the golf cart the handful of small streets that made up the tiny village of Staniel Cay.

The island is simply half a mile by two miles, so the introduction was quick, however sufficient for me to know I used to be in the suitable place!

We drove previous spectacular seashores because the solar was setting, roosters operating freely, teams of males sitting round taking part in dominoes, and loads of smiling faces.

After that, we met the welcoming entrance desk workers who checked our reservations and confirmed us to our villa. All it is advisable check-in right here is your reserving affirmation and the bank card you paid with (it is advisable full an internet registration beforehand the place you pay by way of a safe hyperlink).

You might must pay a deposit on arrival for incidental prices, and the reception is open each day from 8.00am – 5:00pm.

Causes to Keep at Embrace Resort

Now you have got been launched, let’s take a look at the various explanation why you’ll love staying on the Embrace Resort in your trip! 

1. An Inspiring All-Feminine Owned Native Enterprise

The factor to like most about Embrace Resort is that it’s an all-woman and regionally owned enterprise by a mother-daughter staff who had been each born and raised in Staniel Cay. 

The truth is, it was their descendants who first settled Staniel Cay (and performed a task in settling the wild pigs on close by Pig Island.)

Embrace Resort didn’t seem with developer funding or financial institution loans. It was constructed on a dream and lifelong dedication to creating a real Bahamian trip expertise for vacationers.

Mom (and founder), Nicole Ferguson constructed the villas one after the other utilizing the earnings made out of her golf cart rental enterprise. That’s all she may do as banks stored shutting her down for loans as they didn’t suppose a lodge close to an airport would achieve success (extra on that within the overview under.)

As we all know, by no means say no to a lady with a dream and a fierce dedication. As a result of now it’s a thriving 7-villa resort property that displays the tropical magnificence, heat, and friendliness of the Bahamian tradition.

Whereas it’s known as a resort, the Embrace Resort isn’t a kind of all-inclusive, massive, and touristy sorts of locations to remain.

It’s heat, pleasant, quiet, peaceable, and small. It had a beautiful communal really feel much like hostels – you possibly can simply discover time and areas to speak together with your fellow vacationers.

That’s largely attributed to daughter, Natijia who has used her expertise as a world traveler and dealing in hospitality in Dubai and China to create distinctive customer support for every kind of tourists.

It’s not simply at Embrace Resort the place this dedication to creating one of the best trip begins and ends. The Mom Daughter staff additionally personal 3N’s Exuma Vacations, which was the primary journey company on Staniel Cay, and is rated #1 on TripAdvisor and holds a Badge of Excellence.

Their premium Swimming with Pigs tour is the preferred for the area and caters to travelers flying in from Nassau for the day or joining the tour from Embrace Resort.

3Ns is an acronym for the 3 generations of ladies, Nellie (the grandmother and inspiration), Nikki, (the mom and basis), and Natajia (the daughter and continuation). 

Late Grandmother Nellie all the time inspired Nikki to start out a journey company due to her in-depth data of the Exumas Cays and keenness for service.

2. It’s A Sustainable Eco-Resort

Embrace Resort is dedicated to sustainability and eco-tourism. It was constructed with recommendation from OBMI’s Environmental Marketing consultant, Denaye Hinds. They supply the vast majority of regionally produced and/or recycled gadgets as a lot as attainable and make use of native folks.

They’ve a towel reuse program and encourage visitors to show off electrical energy and scale back water utilization throughout their keep, and their plant irrigation system has been very profitable in reusing water whereas retaining their gardens flourishing.

EMBRACE plans to companion with organizations like Cans for Youngsters, Go Inexperienced Bahamas, the Bahamas National Trust and the neighboring Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park sooner or later to assist create an eco-friendlier neighborhood.

I really feel protected in saying all of Staniel Cay is an ecotourism dream vacation spot. Other than a few small, native eating places, grocery shops and a yacht membership, it’s all pristine pure magnificence. There aren’t any high-rises, no chains, and minimal autos!

Keep in mind to do your half as a traveler who cares about leaving gentler footprints and help native (simple to do right here).

Reuse your towels, scale back each day housekeeping, and switch off your AC. Let the followers flow into the air and luxuriate in that cool Bahamian breeze.

3. It has Bahamian Villas to Swimsuit all Journey Types

How these villas are named, designed, and created, are testomony to the care the Fergusons have utilized to make a keep right here all about experiencing Bahamian tradition.

EMBRACE is an acronym for the names of all of the villas, that are named after among the Bahama islands.

The inside design is aimed to match the character of the island it’s named after. For instance, Bimini may have a number of blues because it’s an island recognized for deep-sea fishing.

• Exuma (2 bed room) – named after the attractive Exuma Islands. This villa is ideal for households (the place we stayed)

• Mayaguana (1 bed room) – is without doubt one of the solely islands to carry onto its Lucayan title (folks of the islands) and was the primary of the Embrace Villas constructed. You’ll be able to select to have a king mattress or two twin beds with this room.
• Bimini (2 bedrooms) – named after the fishing capital of the Bahamas
• Ragged Island – is about romance and seclusion. This honeymoon villa is outfitted with an in-room jacuzzi jetted tub, temper lighting, and a walk-in bathe.

• Andros (3 bed room) this villa matches the title of the most important island within the nation. Comes with a eating room and kitchen.
• Cat Island (1 bed room) The orange and purple hues of this cottage take you again to the times of conventional Bahamian open-fire cooking.
• Eleuthera (1 bed room) is understood for its pure magnificence and juicy pineapples!

Not solely are the villas reflective of Bahamian tradition, however they type a circle across the central swimming space. So, just like the Embrace title, it’s giving everybody a large hug and serving to all visitors really feel like a part of the household.

All villas may have views over the small pool and with the luxurious gardens surrounding the property, it feels very tropical. In addition they have a dwelling space with couch mattress and a kitchenette with microwaves.

As you’ll be able to see, they’ve villas to swimsuit all forms of vacationers. All guestrooms include the facilities you’ll count on from a resort, akin to security options like smoke detectors and hearth extinguishers within the room, a flat display television with cable channels, free toiletries within the rest room, and naturally, free wifi.

On the time of writing (January 2023) room costs begin at $250 for one bed room, $550 for two bed room and $600 for 3 bedrooms. You too can put in particular requests for cribs and rollaway toddler beds, however there aren’t any further beds for adults.

Embrace additionally provides vacation home rentals on the island, which may sleep from 2 to 10 folks relying on which property you select.

In the event you’re touring with a big group of 10 to 25 visitors, you’ll be able to even e-book out your complete Embrace Resort – excellent for these wanting a vacation spot wedding ceremony!

4. Exuma Villas Are Nice for Households

We stayed within the Exuma villa, which is ideal for households, with two bedrooms downstairs and a dwelling space and kitchen upstairs.

We beloved the additional house the villa gave us all, particularly now we have now a teen and tween. We had a beautiful balcony we may sit on to benefit from the views and Bahama Breezes, and we may see fairly a little bit of the island from right here.

As Staniel Cay is a quiet island – no actual nightlife – we loved enjoyable on the sofa for a night watching Netflix, studying books, or crocheting (Savanna’s new passion). Maybe pack a deck of playing cards or different small video games your loved ones likes to play collectively!

The self-contained kitchen is ideal for households and visitors wanting to scale back their prices of consuming out, and there are three grocery shops on the island the place you may get provides:

• Pink Pearl Groceries – most cost-effective.
• Burke’s Comfort Retailer – the most costly.
• Isles Common A-Z Retailer – closest to Embrace Resort.

There may be additionally a liquor retailer for extra inexpensive alcohol choices. Don’t overlook obligation free in your solution to The Bahamas.

As provides are restricted on the island, Embrace Resort has a provisioning service the place they’ll have groceries from Nassau prepared for you if you arrive.

In the event you don’t need to fear about cooking and have a price range that enables for it, Embrace Resort has an inexpensive on-site café – the Flying Pig.

5. Reasonably priced Upscale Eating on the Flying Pig Café

I had a couple of folks warn me about how costly The Bahamas could be for meals, so I used to be pleasantly shocked that the meals on the Flying Pig Café was fairly on par with what you’d pay within the States.

Some meals had been a bit of costlier however keep in mind meals must be imported from Nassau or the USA so prices will likely be larger. Meals will likely be a bit of smaller than you get within the USA too, which isn’t a foul factor in any respect.

It additionally means some menu gadgets is probably not accessible every day in the event that they run out earlier than the subsequent provide run. So be versatile and affected person. All meals are made out of scratch with recent components each day.

All of the meals gadgets we had had been scrumptious with fairly a couple of upscale gadgets, like shrimp ceviche. Besides they had been out of shrimp, so I had lobster ceviche as a substitute. YUM!

The flying Pig is a brand new addition to the Embrace Resort and opened in the summertime of 2022.

We ate on the Flying Pig virtually on daily basis – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – throughout our four-night keep and beloved the freshness of the meals. I used to be very joyful to see fairly a couple of gluten-free choices on the menu too. Vegans and vegetarians may have choices as properly, like a coconut chickpea curry.

Breakfast on the Flying Pig

Count on to pay $6-12 for breakfast. Our women beloved the chocolate chip waffles. They had been massive and fluffy and oozing with chocolate goodness. They had been most likely among the finest I’ve ever seen and solely $6. 

They produce other pastry gadgets accessible like croissants and cinnamon rolls, in addition to parfait, French toast and acai bowls.

Craig and I loved a western omelet most mornings, which got here with toast, and breakfast potatoes. This was $12 and really filling.

And right here’s a GREAT factor: The Flying Pig café is a espresso store that makes GOOD espresso! It’s the one place on the island to get a correct cup of espresso, made to order. 

Lunch and Dinner on the Flying Pig Cafe

For lunch and dinner (identical menu) count on to pay round. $12 – $35

Our teen mentioned the rooster bacon soften was one of the best she’s ever had and ordered it a number of occasions. The wings had been scrumptious – we beloved the candy guava sauce ($12)

The grilled mahi mahi fish was so recent and scrumptious ($30+) and I beloved placing it on my Greek Salad and Savannah beloved stealing half my fish, if she wasn’t having it within the type of fish fingers ($15).

Craig and I beloved the flank steak with charred asparagus and potato wedges ($28). The whole lot was cooked completely and fantastically seasoned. It was arduous NOT to order this each evening.

Youngsters meals had been your typical pasta, rooster nuggets and grilled cheese and value $8-10. In contrast with the Staniel Cay Yacht Membership the place they had been $15.

For a style of the Bahamas, you should definitely order some conch. It is available in varied kinds: chowder, fritters, and bites.

Whereas we didn’t have any dessert, they do have it on the menu: coconut mousse, guava cheesecake, and flourless chocolate cake ($7-$12).

The café additionally has snacks like chips, muffins, fruit, chocolate, and muesli bars. And, they’ve a full bar and signature cocktails – made with the Bahama’s favourite liquor – rum.

I loved my “Getting Piggy With it” and “Bahama Mama”. Once more, each had been $12 which I feel is kind of cheap compared to US costs and for a resort on a distant island.

As every part is made to order and may get busy, count on a wait on your meals. Sit within the solar – or at shaded tables – order a rum punch and luxuriate in enjoyable into Bahama time.

We’d order our meals after which both prepare for the day or attend to different duties whereas ready. Remember to permit time earlier than your excursions for the day to order and eat. We’d permit for an hour.

Additionally, you’ll be able to all the time take meals from the café again to your villa or out in your day journey.

We had this beautiful picnic on the unimaginable Pirate Seaside with meals and actually good drinks we packed into our cooler (which comes with every villa).

The Flying Pig Café has a beautiful out of doors seating space with shaded tables. Inside are extra tables and a beautiful trendy design inside with pig paraphernalia, pink partitions, vivid work, and floral preparations. 

Sure, you’ll be able to eat on the Flying Pig Café even in the event you aren’t staying on the resort. It’s an inexpensive place to eat and we noticed many individuals strolling in or driving in on their golf carts to dine there.

NOTE: The 3N’s Exuma Trip Swimming with Pigs tour stops right here for lunch after the tour.

Because it’s subsequent door to the airport, it’s an awesome place to eat whilst you’re ready on your airplane – approach higher than sitting spherical on the airport. You’ll be able to even hear your airplane arrive, so you recognize when to stroll over.

• Hours: Monday – Saturday 7:30AM – 9:00PM; Sunday – Closed

6. The Swimming Pool is Superb

Whereas we beloved spending time on the gorgeous seashores on daily basis, we additionally loved time to loosen up across the out of doors pool.

As this space can also be recognized for swimming with nurse sharks (particularly round Compass Cay marina), I favored the addition of the shark mosaic tiles on the backside of the pool, a bit of unnerving however a enjoyable contact!

There’s a shaded cabana-style deck space above the pool with outsized couches including to the lux really feel.

All villas embody seaside towels and a cooler so that you can take with you to the seaside.

7. Customized, Pleasant Service

With its small dimension, and family-style ambiance, personalised service is simple to get at Embrace. 

Employees was all the time readily available to reply questions and assist us. Tajia helped make our trip expertise higher by sharing a number of tales in regards to the island and ideas like Pirate Seaside, which hardly anybody goes to, and turned out to be considered one of our favourite seashores on this planet!

All visitors get a complimentary airport and marina transfers – get pleasure from that golf cart trip!

She additionally helped arrange a therapeutic massage therapist for us with Khori from Illusions by the Sea. Khori got here to our villa for an unimaginable deep-tissue therapeutic massage, which helped me really feel like a brand new individual. My knots had been BAD!

You understand you might be in good fingers when your therapeutic massage therapist is the masseuse to the celebrities. Yep, we had been one diploma of separation from many well-known stars together with Michael Jordan, Paris Hilton, Johnny Depp and Pooh Bear.

8. Easy & Excessive-High quality Swimming with Pigs’ Tour

Becoming a member of a Swimming with Pigs tour is easy if you keep at Embrace Resort. As talked about, they personal and run the primary rated tour within the Exumas for this. 

You’ll be taken to the boat dock when the tour is able to go and dropped again off for lunch on the Flying Pig Cafe. Company of the resort get a 30% low cost off their swimming pigs’ excursions.

9. Handy Location

Keep in mind when the banks denied Nikki funding due to her location subsequent door to the airport and never on the beachfront? Now, often, in the event you had been wherever else, notably a giant metropolis, this could be a destructive, however on Staniel Cay it’s not.

Because of the dimension of the island, in every single place is close to the airport. And a two-minute golf cart trip will get you to the attractive Public Seaside, which is nice for sundown. And simply down from there are the grocery shops, and the Staniel Cay Yacht Membership, additionally widespread for sundown drinks. 

And our favourite seaside, Pirate Seaside, was solely a five-minute drive away! You too can stroll to all of those locations, with Pirate Cove being the furthest at twenty minutes!

Being close to the airport definitely makes your airport transfers simple. The truth is, you’ll be able to sit on the patio of the Flying Pig café till you hear the airplane land, after which it’s a 2 min stroll to the airport to board – no extra ready round with the crowds. 

And there are no noise air pollution points both because the runway and planes are small and the flights don’t begin going till round 8am and end at nightfall!

Golf Cart Leases

I discussed it was enjoyable getting picked up from the airport in a golf cart, what’s even higher is zipping across the island in your individual rental.

You will get wherever on the island inside 5-10 minutes. You definitely gained’t be complaining in regards to the spectacular open-air views and funky breezes.

This was the very first thing the women wished to do once we arrived, they usually requested for it usually throughout our keep. They beloved sitting within the again watching Staniel Cay village go by with the wind whipping their hair. 

Our 15-year-old was upset she couldn’t drive it, however you have to be 18 with a sound license. They’re strict with it on the Cay and can dish out fines!

You’ll be able to lease 2, 4 and 6-seater golf carts, and visitors of the resort get 25% off.

Spa Providers

The Spa for Embrace Resort isn’t but open, however you’ll be able to nonetheless order some spa remedies akin to therapeutic massage companies to your room. A health heart can also be on account of be added to the resort very quickly.

The best way to Get to Staniel Cay

Except you’re crusing in, the one solution to get to Staniel Cay is by small airplane. It’s simply one more reason to go to this lovely island within the Exumas because the 30-minute flight is a scenic one. 

It was overcast and at nightfall once we flew into Staniel Cay from Nassau, so didn’t see an excessive amount of under however had entrance row seats to a fantastic sundown.

However, on the best way again to Nassau, our morning flight with vivid sunny skies unveiled a shocking vista under of the Exuma Islands, which we flew over virtually your complete approach.

These coming into Staniel Cay for a day trip to see the swimming pigs can even fly in from Nassau.

You’ll be able to both fly in from Nassau (Bahamas) by way of Flamingo Air or Titan Air or fly in from Ft. Lauderdale (Florida, US) by way of Makers Air or Staniel Air. Flamingo Air, Titan Air, and Maker’s Air have flights twice each day.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Right here’s what folks often ask us about visiting the Exuma and staying in Staniel Cay.

How will the climate be?

The Exumas have a tropical savanna local weather with dry winters. The yearly common most temperature in Exumas is 81°F (starting from 76°F in march to 85°F in august). Annual rainfall is 64.3 inches, with a minimal of two.1 inches in March and a most of 11.7 inches in October. 

We visited within the first week of January and had beautiful heat climate (80F) on daily basis with a couple of sudden, however fast rain showers. Perceive that climate is all the time unpredictable and can’t be managed. Discover ways to dance within the rain! 

Is there an ATM on the island / are playing cards accepted?

There isn’t a ATM on the island, so carry money. 

You need to use USD or Bahamian {dollars}. It’s a 1:1 foreign money trade. You could obtain Bahamian change in the event you use USD, or vice versa. Credit score Playing cards are additionally accepted. 

Is Staniel Cay Secure?

As with all place you journey to, it’s vital to make use of widespread sense and pay attention to your environment. We discovered Staniel Cay to be very protected and didn’t really feel nervous or afraid as soon as. 

Theft or crime isn’t actually an issue, locals even depart the keys of their golf carts and sleep with doorways unlocked. 

The island is small and everybody is aware of everybody, so there’s not so much that may go by undiscovered. However once more, that doesn’t imply issues can’t occur so be cautious. 

In Abstract

It’s supporting and experiencing regionally owned companies and tales like this that all the time make my travels so a lot better. I journey to know the locals extra, to feed my curiosity and sense of awe, and develop empathy.

Embrace Resort will likely be a lot greater than only a mattress to sleep in and can improve these treasured recollections you make within the gorgeous Exuma Islands. 

Don’t overlook to pack sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a cheerful disposition, and buy journey insurance coverage!