Hillcrest

This no-frills Airbnb was just right for what I needed. O'Neill, the driver, was very helpful, and I’d definitely stay here again.

After travelling through more than 106 countries, I can say this hotel/hostel is a real gem. It’s clean, well located, and the most reasonably priced place I found in the Bahamas, where stays elsewhere are very expensive. That worked especially well for me as a hardcore backpacker. Edward and Oneil, the owner and manager, are great people and very professional. Thanks, guys. I definitely recommend it.

The cockroaches were a repeated problem: I saw them in the bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen, even on the dishes and utensils while I was cooking. The air conditioning was set far too cold and there was only a thin sheet. When I unplugged it, I was scolded. I left the hostel after more than 20 hours. I also had serious trouble with the transport information. The leaflet sent after booking suggested public transport ran to and from the airport, but there isn’t any in Nassau, which made arrival and departure difficult. Oneil, who was at the hostel and lives on site, messaged me at 2 a.m. before I arrived to offer a $40 taxi transfer. He didn’t welcome me and kept listing things I wasn’t allowed to do as soon as I got there. His constant presence and all the surveillance cameras made the place uncomfortable. It’s described as self check-in/out, but he also acts as an informal taxi driver and charges guests for rides. When I urgently needed help with my flight schedule, I contacted the property several times. They only gave me a final answer very late, and it was a refusal, leaving me unable to plan my day and stressed about my onward journey. After I complained, neither the property nor Booking.com responded. Booking eventually gave me a small compensation, but I didn’t feel comfortable or well treated as a guest, and I can’t recommend this hostel.

The location is far enough from the main area that you can avoid the noise and crowds from the cruise ship tourists. Oneil, the property manager, was relaxed and really helpful, checking in when we crossed paths and offering good island suggestions. The place is kept in great shape and is well organized, with extras like books, games, and Netflix. We did spot a few tiny ants in the rooms, but they didn’t cause any trouble. For the price, it was a great stay and I’d highly recommend it. Oneil deserves a raise for keeping this cute little hostel running so smoothly.