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Prior to my visit, I did not know much about Bimini. I had heard of it and knew it was in the Bahamas, but I had no idea it was only 50 miles from Miami! The ease of getting there had me wondering why I don’t spend all of my time there!
Getting to Bimini:
There are a different few ways to get from Florida to Bimini. Being that it’s an island, boats are a popular choice. The distance is so short some have even attempted the journey by jet ski. I’m adventurous, but not THAT adventurous; I arrived by seaplane! Cape Air flies from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini on their small 9-seater seaplanes. I have to admit, a plane that small is a bit nerve-wracking, but the flight is only 25 minutes and the views are fantastic! There is something exciting about landing on the water too. Best of all, Cape Air delivers you right to customs, and within walking distance of Resorts World Bimini (though there is a shuttle if you don’t want to walk with your luggage).
If seaplanes aren’t your thing, Silver Airways flies larger jets to the island, but they land at the airport in South Bimini and then you must arrange transportation to the resort by ferry. Though the island is only 7 miles long, so that’s certainly not a huge deterrent.
The Resort:
Resorts World Bimini offers condos from studio to 4 bedrooms perfect for traveling with a large group, but I stayed at the newly completed Hilton. The Hilton at Resorts World Bimini has everything you would expect from a luxury island resort and makes for a perfect base to explore the island or just chill at the hotel and relax by the pool.
The Room:
With water on all sides, every part of the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini offers stunning views. I stayed in a standard room, but there are also a handful of suites available for larger parties ( or just people who are a little bougier than me). The standard room is very nice, includes all the expected amenities (coffee, toiletries, even robes!), and has a balcony overlooking the water. The bed is insanely comfortable. Getting up every morning was a challenge! I guess if the hardest choice of the day is whether to sleep in or go to the beach, your life is going pretty well.
The Food:
The Hilton at Resorts World Bimini offers a choice of 9 different restaurants. I was only there for 3 days, so I didn’t have the opportunity to try them all (though I made a pretty good dent in it!). This is the only area that I was not 100% blown away by the Hilton. Most of the food was good, but I do feel like it was very expensive for what it was.
Tides is the main lobby restaurant. I ate breakfast here twice and dinner once. Dinner was good, but breakfast left a little to be desired. For breakfast there is an a la carte menu as well as a buffet. The buffet is pretty standard, good even, but $30 is a bit much for eggs and bacon, in my opinion.
The Sushi Bar is great. They are only open for dinner and offer a variety of creative sushi rolls as well as other Asian cuisine, like Pad Thai, and noodle soups. I was impressed with this restaurant and wish I had eaten here every meal!
Sabor Restaurant is the Hilton’s signature restaurant. The menu features aged steaks and seafood in an upscale environment on the water. I spent my last night dining here and I’m glad I did. This is the only restaurant that I felt like had the atmosphere and food quality to warrant the higher price tag.
Overall, I would recommend taking the free shuttle from the resort into Alice Town and sampling more authentic local cuisine. Bimini is known for it’s amazing conch salad and there are loads of places in town to order it up fresh for a fraction of the prices at the resort. Of course this is to be expected with a luxury resort, so I can’t be too upset.
The Activities:
The one rule every good resort knows, is to provide enough activities to keep guests on property and the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini does this well!
-Pools-
There are two main pools at the Hilton; the “lazy river” pool, the main pool on the ground floor, got it’s name because it runs the length of the resort and winds around like a “lazy river”, although there is no current, so it’s not a true lazy river. But who need a current when you have a swim up bar?
The rooftop pool was my pool of choice, largely because it’s adults only. To access the pool, guests must have a wristband obtained at check-in assuring that they are over 18. The Monkey Business Bar is also up there, though it closed at 6pm when I was there. I did stay mid-week, but there were plenty of people at the pool to warrant keeping the bar open. Still, a rooftop, adults only, infinity pool with a bar has my name all over it! I also enjoyed my amusing wristband.
That’s what you think, Hilton.
-Casino-
I’m not a big gamer. I don’t know how to play table games and I find slots boring, so I can’t really speak to the quality of the casino games. I did spend some time at the casino restaurant and bar just to check it out. What really impressed me about the casino was that it didn’t have a casino “smell”. I have stayed at casino hotels and cruise ships that make the entire place smell like cigarettes. This was not the case at the Hilton. I could enjoy a nice cocktail and not feel like I was inside an ashtray.
-Excursions-
The Hilton at Resorts World Bimini can arrange a variety of excursions around the island. With their own fleet of boats for rent with our without a captain, there’s plenty of snorkeling and deep sea fishing to be had in the waters around Bimini. I highly recommend the excursion I went on to Honeymoon Harbor, to swim with friendly local stingrays and nurse sharks with a stop for some snorkeling at the wreck of the SS Sapona, a ship that ran aground during a hurricane in 1926. Unfortunately the weather took a turn for the worse shortly after we got to the Sapona and we had to head back to the hotel, but I would love to go back and really explore.
Stingray Selfie!
The Grounds:
This is where Resorts World Bimini really shines. Across the street from the Hilton, you’ll find the most stunning beach. I’m a huge baby when it comes to swimming in cold water and this water is perfect! The beach has plenty of white sand perfect for setting up camp and sunning yourself all day, but there’s also striking scenery accented by large boulders and a single tree. This is easily one of my favorite beaches that I’ve been to.
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I was given the opportunity to break for Bimini as a guest of Resorts World Bimini, but as always all opinions are my own. I can’t wait get back and experience more Bimini Bliss at the Hilton At Resorts World Bimini.
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Wow I’m impressed! I lived in Florida for a couple of years though had never come across Bimini before! I would absolutely love to head here for an island escape – we did the Florida Keys, and it was fabulous snorkeling with stingrays too – though didn’t get to swim with nurse sharks, so adding that to the list! The resort looks wonderful 🙂
Such gorgeous views and experience. I think I wouldn’t get out of rooftop pool! Thank you for sharing.
I’ve always wanted to fly in a sea plane that would be a highlight of the holiday before I even landed in the Bahamas. I’ve not heard of Bimini before but it looks idyllic, between the chance to snorkel with stingrays and blissing out around that resort pool I would definitely love it.
Looks like a great spot to chill out and grab some “me” time. I’ve never heard of Bimini either and was surprised there’s such a huge resort there. The pool looks so inviting. Nice try at capturing a stingray selfie!
I love reading about warm weather destinations, as I usually spend my winters in freezing Canada. I am fascinated by the idea of the seaplane and landing on water – that would be amazing (and kinda scary too).
You gave such a balanced view! 50 miles off Miami is a great come-on for Bimini and a brand new hotel would be an awesome way to soak up the experience!
Nice! I didn’t know that an island existed so close to Florida! The beach and snorkeling sure sounds like a ton of fun and that’s something I would definitely opt for too. I also agree with you on the fact that $30 is a bit much for a standard breakfast! Wish five stars would wake up to the fact that expensive doesn’t sell!
Thanks for sharing this though 🙂
I’ve heard a lot about Bimini, it’s supposed to be amazing, and from what you say, it sounds lovely. How nice to explore such a tranquil spot. I think a seaplane would definitely be the way to go.
That beach is gorgeous! I’ve heard of Bimini but didn’t know it was so close. Added to my wish list!
MMM this place looks very promising! Especially the food 🙂 Okay, maybe the water as well…
I didn’t realize how close Bimini was to Miami either! Looks like such a gorgeous island and the Hilton looks fantastic. I’d love to spend some time at that rooftop pool, too! The swimming with stingrays and nurse sharks sounds pretty amazing as well. Would love to visit sometime!
Oh wow… what an awesome break!!! Lucky gal Now.. i have to tell hubby about this resort
You can’t go wrong with Hilton, the resort in Bimini looks beautiful too (and any excuse to swim with sting rays so close!). I love the idea you need to get there by mini plane or jet ski it just makes your time there more special and you must of felt you’d stumbled upon something not everyone knew about, like you were hidden away 🙂
Living in Miami, I hear about Bimini all the time! There are ads on billboards and on the radio. I’ve been wanting to go for awhile but didn’t know anyone that had gone. Now that I know how awesome it is I definitely need to book a trip!
wow! Every place is special. From above till the ground is stunning. Resort world Bimini is very promising.
I have to admit that I’ve never heard of Bimini before. Based on your beautiful photos, now I want to go. The excursions look fun, but it would hard to leave that lazy river with its swim-up bar.
Looks like a gorgeous place. I’d never heard of Bimini before… but I will def have to check it out.
That sting ray photo looks awesome!!! Such a great post and makes me want to go!
Bimini sounds like a nice weekend break from Miami … great post!
Your opening line is exactly what I thought when first visiting Bimini this past month. A great getaway, and plenty to do to keep a person coming back again and again.
I think I’ll go fly fishing on my next trip!