We've had our eye on this escape for awhile now. And let's just say that it was well worth the wait. The Cove is a hideaway on the (thin, but long) island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Two private beaches flanked by natural rock cliffs, just 29 rooms (but currently building more) and a friendly staff make this place a must (and a must revisit as well). We'd say there were a fair amount of people there, but the layout of the property made it feel like we had the place to ourselves, whether at dinner, by the (amazing) pool or on the beach.
Vibe
In a word? Peaceful.
The Cove is the perfect place to unplug and give yourself over to the sounds of the wind in the palm trees and the lapping of the waves on the beach. There was hardly ever any distractions to get your head and it was easy to nod off or get lost in your own thoughts. The days (at least for us) were leisurely with no agenda, no interruptions and no worries as the stress and commotion from the outside world melted off quickly upon arrival.
We had a direct flight to the island and upon landing at the postage stamp sized airport, customs was a breeze and we were quickly wisked away in a private car to the property (right past Lenny Kravitz's house, no less) by the kind and gregarious Big O.
Check in was a breeze at the main house and we were given a quick tour of the property on our way to the suite. While it's not the largest of footprints, everything feels very well spaced out and open.
The pool is amazing and we spent a lot of time enjoying the cool water hanging out by the infinity edge and getting lost in the view of the clear, blue waters of the beach. Truly one of the best pools we've been to in the Bahamas or Caribbean.
Accommodations
We opted for a Grand Oceanfront Room, which was quite large for the two of us (around 950 square feet) featuring a seating area, a large bathroom with two shower heads to the walk-in shower and a soaking tub. The deck off the front was also large and comfy where we would spend our late afternoons lounging in the shade, reading and chatting with drink in hand.
The king bed was very comfy and the wall unit did a great job of keeping the space cool and non-humid. Everything was white and made the focus the large sliding glass doors that gave us an excellent view of the beach and the scattered lounge chairs dotting the waterline.
The only ding for the room is that it's more like a duplex and you do share one long wall with your neighbors. That combined with a tile floor can make everything amplified. We had a family next to us and you definitely knew when they were home, but it wasn't distracting enough to cause any problems.
Room service was quick and friendly and there was a well-stocked minibar featuring some of the local Bahama food and drink as well.
Fare and Glass
The bar and restaurant (Freedom Restaurant - which is what Eleuthera means) is situated at the highest point on the beach and has amazing views, natural light and a great spot to watch the always impressive sunsets.
The menu was diverse enough to where you could get something different every night (we were there for five nights) and the food was fresh, tasty and well presented. The space also boasts none other than a sushi bar, which I sampled one evening. It wasn't exactly Japanese-style (the nigiri pieces were HUGE), but the rolls were fresh, imaginative and very tasty! I'm glad I tried it. Service was also incredibly friendly and attentive - at least on Bohemian time!
The main bar was a favorite spot of ours and the bartenders there (hello Mr. Jones!) were so great! They had a well-rounded specialty cocktail menu and also nailed the classics. So if you wanted anything from rum-based and fruity by the pool to a dry martini before dinner, they had it covered.
Verdict
This is an easy one: we'll be back. The Cove checks all the boxes and is everything you want in a peaceful, relaxing destination with the clear water, private beach, comfy accommodations and friendly staff that we seek on a getaway.
One footnote - and no fault of The Cove - was the horrible situation at the North Eleuthera Airport on our way home. Maybe it was our fault for trying to fly back home on a Saturday afternoon, but it was a s***show to say the least. We waited outside in the heat for over an hour to get checked in (no other option) and then another hour outside to get through security, only to be directed to a large overcrowded portable building before getting on the plane. Maybe it was a anomaly, but after getting to a max-relaxed state, it brought all the stress right back in a matter of hours. If you can spring for it, get a charter!
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