The Cove

We drove 45 minutes each way for Christmas brunch at noon, after signing the paperwork and paying a $50 USD deposit per person for the preset menu. Getting the reservation sorted had already taken six calls to the front desk earlier in the week, and I had to follow up several times to get the paperwork. Their team never followed up with us. When we arrived, the entrance gate was broken, nobody directed us, and there was no one in the dining room to greet us. Then we were told brunch had already ended. Someone at reception had clearly made a mistake and hadn’t fixed it. Staff seemed confused that we were there and unwilling to help. I had to go to the front desk myself to explain what was happening, since no one in the restaurant would help. The Food and Bev director said the only option was the light lunch menu, which was all appetizers. I asked several people if we could spend a few hours on the beach to salvage the afternoon, but they said no because the hotel was full. I saw maybe three people on the beach and nobody using the pool. They also made no offer of any complementary credit toward our meal. Our family felt completely unwelcome on Christmas morning, and like our business didn’t matter. We’ve traveled extensively around the world, and this was nowhere near a Michelin experience. We won’t recommend the cove to anyone visiting Eleuthera.

We didn’t stay at the Cove, just went for lunch. It’s a luxury property, so I understand why they limit who can come onsite. We booked through OpenTable and had no trouble getting in. The property is gorgeous, and the food was good, at prices no higher than other places claiming to be luxury. There’s nowhere else nearby, which is why I gave the location three stars. The standard 18% automatic gratuity is common at standalone properties, especially on this island, so that wasn’t a surprise. Still, it’s frustrating when the service doesn’t meet the standard it should. Our experience with service was abysmal. It took 15 minutes for anyone to acknowledge us after we walked into the restaurant, and 40 minutes to get our drinks, even though hardly anyone was dining. The food took even longer. I’ve stayed at many Relais Château hotels, and this was by far the worst for service. Attentive service is usually what sets them apart. Other reviews describe the same lack of attention, and the problem seems to be a lack of training. This didn’t feel like a five-star property or one that represents other Relais Château hotels. If you want a luxury stay on Eleuthera, I’d highly recommend the lovely Potlatch Club for its superb service.

The team made our four-night family stay feel personal. They were warm, kind, and thoughtful, and by the end we all knew each other’s names. The food was incredible, especially the sushi and island cocktails. We came home rested and recharged from a magical trip to The Cove at Eleuthera in the Bahamas. It felt like landing in Paradise on another planet, where time slows down and everything is beautiful. The resort is peaceful, private, and naturally stunning. Turquoise water, white sand, palms, sunsets, private swimming coves, snorkeling, ocean hammocks, live music, and an infinity pool made the place feel almost unreal, like a dream we didn’t want to leave. My daughter said it was the best vacation we’ve ever taken, which is saying something after Hawaii, Europe, and beyond. There was something sacred about The Cove, like we were exactly where we were meant to be. Already missing it.

The setting was gorgeous, and the alcohol-free drinks were absolutely delicious. The lobster bao buns were superb too. Thanks for making our anniversary special!