Just Back From: Eleuthera, The Bahamas

I recently spoke with a guest who just returned from a week in the Bahamas this December. After falling in love with the Ocean View in Harbour Island this past spring, she decided to visit again and stay for three nights at the Other Side, the Ocean View’s sister property. While there, she had the opportunity to explore the FARM, a brand-new property located a five-minute walk away and run by the same group as the other two hotels.

On getting there:

We flew two hours and forty minutes from JFK to Atlanta, then two hours from Atlanta to Eleuthera on Delta. It was a pretty painless process. It’s worth noting, though, that the attendants insist on gate-checking all roller bags for the Bahamas leg of the flight due to limited space.

We took a five-minute taxi from the North Eleuthera airport to a small dock, where the Other Side had a boat waiting for us. The boat ride to the property was stunning and no longer than ten minutes. A staff member greeted us on the dock, took us to the ‘check-in’ tent to finish our paperwork, and then showed us to our rooms.

On the Other Side:

The Other Side is on the island of Eleuthera, across the water from Harbour Island, where the Ocean View is. Situated on a bay, it consists of large, white tents on a secluded stretch of beach, surrounded by nature, and it feels kind of like glamping. There are no other houses or buildings around, which is very different from the Ocean View. The landscaping is stunning, and the interiors of the tents are equally impressive. Each one serves a communal purpose: one houses the bar and game room, another is a dining area, and a third is a sitting area and concierge desk. In the center of the tents is an outdoor seating and dining space with views of the bay.

The furniture is stylish and mid-century, featuring dark wood backgammon tables, white couches, and velvet chairs. The walls are adorned with art, predominantly from Bahamian artists like Amos Ferguson. I especially loved the Tintin posters in the game room, and another highlight for me was the book selection on the shelves in the tents. There’s a mix of novels, cookbooks, and travel books—enough to keep me happily browsing or curled up in the bar with a good thriller. The bar itself, crafted from dark wood, adds a polished, sophisticated touch to the space and operates on an ‘honor code.’ If the bartender isn’t around, guests can help themselves, making their own drinks and recording their selections in a little logbook.

On the vibe:

The Other Side is incredibly casual and laidback. Everyone is there to relax and spend some time away from civilization, and the design really contributes to that feeling. In many ways, it felt like a kind of ‘retreat.’

On their rooms:

Two of us stayed in a “Shack,” while the other two were in a “Shed.” Despite the names, both rooms were airy, comfortable, and overall very pleasant. All the rooms at the Other Side are bungalow-style, meaning each is a standalone unit, which adds to the property’s sense of privacy.

The Shack featured a beautiful canopy bed, his-and-hers sinks, multiple closets, and two workspaces. It also shared the same decorative touches as the communal tents—original artwork on the walls, pops of greenery, and lots of dark, exposed wood. The highlight of the Shack was its outdoor terrace, which offered a stunning ocean view.

The Shed, on the other hand, was one of the largest hotel rooms I’ve ever seen. Its exterior resembled a greenhouse, and inside, it was spacious and airy, with high ceilings, rattan fabrics, eye-catching wallpaper, and a freestanding tub. I’d especially recommend this room for couples, as the tub gives it a romantic feel.

Both rooms were just a three-minute walk from the main tents (though there is a long path of stairs), and each was equipped with an espresso machine and daily-refilled water bottles. As a fan of Malin + Goetz products, I was thrilled to find them in the bathrooms!

Our only critical feedback on the rooms relates to Wi-Fi and the door at the Shed. The internet connection at the Other Side is mediocre—this is definitely a place to "unplug," so don’t expect to work remotely. As for the Shed, the door was nearly impossible to open and close, leading to some frustrating (but comical) moments. Hopefully, they’ll get the door fixed soon.

One other detail worth noting is that the Other Side is a keyless property, meaning there’s no physical key for your door. Inside, you can engage a thin lock, but it mainly serves to prevent the door from swinging open in the wind. There are safes in each room, but they’re hardly large enough to hold a laptop. That said, the keyless system wasn’t an issue for us—the property is small and intimate, so we didn’t feel concerned about the safety of our belongings.

On amenities:

The pool is incredibly cool: it’s an infinity pool built into a wooden deck that is perched just above the ocean. The lounge chairs are flat on the ground, giving it a sleek, modern vibe. That being said, I couldn’t get the lounge chair to recline fully—it felt a bit like they were sacrificing functionality in favor of style.

The Other Side also had an outdoor gym, which was a bit underwhelming. It had weights and a few machines but no cardio equipment. If you’re looking for a treadmill or Peloton, I’d recommend heading to the FARM’s gym, which was one of the more beautiful hotel gyms I’ve seen. More on that later!

On activities:

Guests spend their time lounging at the beach, pool, or in the communal tents. Activities are mostly limited to reading, paddleboarding, swimming, visiting the FARM (which is definitely worth it), or playing board games like chess, Connect Four, air hockey, or table tennis. Unlike the Ocean View, there’s no nearby town to explore. Really, the Other Side is ideal for those who don’t feel the need to be constantly entertained. A few members of our party were fairly bored by the end of our three days. That being said, if you’re just looking to relax by the ocean and unwind with a good book, this is the perfect place for you.

On the other guests:

The Other Side seems to attract a lot of repeat guests, and we saw many families with young children. The property’s self-contained, intimate design makes it ideal for families and special events like weddings. They have a large banquet hall at the edge of the property, and we met a bride who was having her wedding there the following weekend. If you are looking for a venue, I highly recommend checking it out!

On dining:

All of our meals were served in the dining tent. Breakfast was available from 8 to 10:30 and offered both continental and à la carte options. We especially loved the granola tartlet and banana pancakes. For lunch, the steak wrap was a standout, and we went to the FARM for lunch once, which was amazing. Dinner was essentially a three-course, prix-fixe meal, with salads made from microgreens grown right on the property. The main courses featured steak or the catch of the day, paired with local grains or vegetables. If you had dietary preferences, you could request substitutions—one night, when rack of lamb was served, I requested fish instead. The desserts were incredible, with chocolate cakes and papaya pies that were 11/10.

On the service:

Every staff member at the Other Side was friendly and welcoming, but, as with other Caribbean islands and its sister property the Ocean View, the service was definitely on the slower side.

On the FARM:

The FARM was a wonderful surprise. It had just opened in the fall of 2024, and we went over there one day for lunch and to sit by the pool. A five-minute walk from the Other Side, the farm is essentially an acre or two of gardens encircled by standalone hotel rooms and communal tents similar to those on the Other Side. It is breathtakingly gorgeous and almost entirely self-sufficient, using solar power to grow all the produce right there. The interiors of the communal tents were a bit more in your face than those of the Other Side, not necessarily in a bad way. Walls were lined with black and white depictions of sealife, plants in rattan pots hung from the ceiling. Design-wise, it was a kind of play-off of the Other Side and Ocean View, prioritizing nature and an authentically chic feel, but doing it in its own way.

While we were exploring, we came across a gorgeous table set up in the garden area. It was for a party of twenty or so that was staying at the Other Side, and I was very impressed with the table-scaping. If you are there for an occasion or with a large group, definitely inquire about a special meal there!

On the amenities at the FARM:

The FARM has a beautiful pool beside the gardens and hotel rooms. It is a more traditional pool than the Other Side’s, and we spent an afternoon hanging out there after having lunch. Nearby, there was a croquet set as well as a ping pong table. If you are more of a pool person than a beach person, I definitely recommend staying at the FARM instead!

The gym was just perfect. Not only did it impress me design-wise, with green accents and two gorgeous murals depicting sporting events, but it was well equipped and practical, with multiple sets of free weights, cardio machines like a Peloton bike and Peloton tread, and yoga gear. It was also air-conditioned and had a covered porch so guests could do outdoor workouts. It isn’t a large space, so the porch is especially helpful if it gets a little crowded.

On going back:

While I enjoyed the Other Side, a few members of my group preferred the Ocean View, with its full-service hotel, a nearby town, and cozy feel. We also all agreed that the beach at the Ocean View just can’t be beat, with its pink, soft sand and clear blue water. That being said, the Other Side is the perfect place to unwind and unplug with a good book. If I were going back, I would probably only stay for two nights max.