British Colonial Nassau

Nassau, Bahamas

Virgin rating

Woodes Rogers Tavern
Mahogany Club
Sushi bar
Breakfast area
Breakfast area
Woodes Rogers Tavern
Mahogany Club
Sushi bar
Breakfast area
Breakfast area

The hotel

This historic hotel is famous for more than its elegance, stunning colonial architecture and its past as “Fort Nassau”, a hub for pirate activity. As a beloved local landmark, located in a scenic waterfront, the hotel's colonial-style architecture and elegant design offers a nod to the past while providing modern amenities and comfort. With two sparkling freshwater pools, relax on partially submerged chaise lounges before heading to one of the vibrant bars or restaurants for a dinner to remember.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Swimming Pool
  • Close to Beach

Where is it

Located in Downtown Nassau, 15 minutes away from Paradise Island. Take a stroll over to its sister property Margaritaville Beach Resort, and explore Junkanoo Beach at The Pointe. Transfer time from airport: 20 minutes.

Hotel information

288 rooms including 25 suites. All with WiFi, TV, mini-fridge, safe, coffee maker and marble bathrooms with combined bath and shower. Standard King/Queen Rooms are located on floors 1 through 6, with 1 king-size or queen-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

City View King Rooms overlook Downtown Nassau, and are on floors 2-7, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

City View Queen Rooms overlook Downtown Nassau, and are on floors 1-5, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Garden View King Rooms have interior courtyard views, and are on floors 1-5, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Garden View Queen Rooms have interior courtyard views, and are on floors 1-4, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Ocean View King/Queen Rooms, on floors 1-6, have views of the Atlantic Ocean. With 1 king or queen size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Double rooms with 2 full beds are also available.

Woodes Rogers Tavern (signature bar serving light bites and snacks). Mahogany Club (flagship fine-dining restaurant). Tamarind Marketplace (breakfast favourites and healthy dishes). Sakana (noodle and sushi bar). Red Pearl Grille (beach front bar and grill). The British Colonial Trading Company (freshly brewed coffees and teas, deli sandwiches). Cigar lounge. Access to restaurants and bars at Margaritaville Beach Resort.

Two beach-facing pools— one shallow with lounge chairs and one plunge pool. Fitness centre. Water sports (non-motorised).

Complimentary WiFi is available in all public areas and rooms. Room service*. Concierge service. Valet parking*.

This hotel has a resort fee of $29.00 per room, per night (payable locally, subject to change).

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: when booking breakfast, the rates shown only include breakfast for up to 2 adults, per room. Any additional guests staying in the same room will be required to pay for breakfast locally.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (161)
  • Very good (66)
  • Average (21)
  • Poor (9)
  • Terrible (17)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A nice relaxing stay, serving as a break from the cold at home

Jan 11, 2025 Andres C

Our stay was very nice overall and very relaxing. We enjoyed the pools and the beach during our stay. We ate at the Mahogany Club on our first night (on Christmas), and while the food was very good, the restaurant's air conditioning was ridiculously high, as we endured through it during our dinner, while a couple groups asked to be moved to avoid… Read more
Our stay was very nice overall and very relaxing. We enjoyed the pools and the beach during our stay. We ate at the Mahogany Club on our first night (on Christmas), and while the food was very good, the restaurant's air conditioning was ridiculously high, as we endured through it during our dinner, while a couple groups asked to be moved to avoid it. The lobby was very impressive, and proved to be a nice perk. Our room was overall decent, but I was hoping that there would be more seating in the room, for the size of the room, like a couch. The view from our room was also somewhat disappointing, as the beach view was only seen from an extreme angle. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Convenient Clean Classy

Jan 7, 2025 Philina m

Incredibly beautiful and clean!! A few minor hiccups- staff needs to be consistent when providing visitors with information. Staff should greet all visitors. Better and more affordable dining options. Manager was friendly and very professional. Employees at front door great.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Stay 12/30 Vacation and Junkanoo visit.

Jan 5, 2025 Donna S

I have stayed at this hotel many times before new ownership. The staff outside greet staff were excellent. Courteous and quick to help with bags. The front desk staff lacked luster with me. I am a Bahamian that has lived abroad for decades. That said. I come home often and for Junkanoo. The hotel is convenient. I felt like I was treated a… Read more
I have stayed at this hotel many times before new ownership. The staff outside greet staff were excellent. Courteous and quick to help with bags. The front desk staff lacked luster with me. I am a Bahamian that has lived abroad for decades. That said. I come home often and for Junkanoo. The hotel is convenient. I felt like I was treated a bit cool and with a room I rejected. All that said. The front desk manager and MISS BAHAMAS fixed all of that. She was gorgeous and phenomenal and fixed all of my issues and apologized. I appreciated that. Asides from that. Excellent, clean and save stay. Donna Smith Morgan. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Not So Great British Colonial Hotel

Jan 2, 2025 Ralpae Bethesda, Maryland

The British Colonial looks like a nice hotel from the outside. However, our experience was not so good. First, it took over 50 minutes to simply check in. After one in our party asked to be moved to a different room because it was directly behind the elevator and very loud, it took 3 days before he was moved. The hotel was a little busy but we… Read more
The British Colonial looks like a nice hotel from the outside. However, our experience was not so good. First, it took over 50 minutes to simply check in. After one in our party asked to be moved to a different room because it was directly behind the elevator and very loud, it took 3 days before he was moved. The hotel was a little busy but we arrived on December 23 before rhe Xmas rush. Òur room smelled very musty and we asked for a maintenance check. This took 3 days. The service at the restaurant was very slow and the waiters seemed very unattentive and going through the motions. One morning, my wife had her breakfast delivered and it took another 30 minutes to get mine. The waitress never bothered to check or let me know what was happening. I also had to get up and get my own coffee and water. The restaurant was about 1/3 full so not very busy at all. Now, I understand why Hilton is no longer affiliated with this hotel. Lastly, the immediate surrounding area isn't the best. The retail space directly across the street is empty and boarded up. I give this hotel 2 stars mainly due to the pool and beach. Otherwise you'd be better off elsewhere. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Random unexplained hotel charges

Jan 2, 2025 Steebinns

British colonial review I don’t write reviews but thought this was necessary given my experience. I came to the Bahamas last minute for NYE with friends and booked this hotel given most other places were sold out and this one was still reasonably priced. I prepaid fully the amount through Hotelplanner. The hotel itself is fine which is why I… Read more
British colonial review I don’t write reviews but thought this was necessary given my experience. I came to the Bahamas last minute for NYE with friends and booked this hotel given most other places were sold out and this one was still reasonably priced. I prepaid fully the amount through Hotelplanner. The hotel itself is fine which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1. No issues with the room or amenities other than my room wasn’t cleaned but I was only here a couple of nights so not a big deal for me. The problem is after I put the USD 300 down for security, I had 4 additional unknown charges to my card. Thankfully with mobile banking I get notifications because these occurred at random times. The first charge was $180 and I approached the front desk who could not tell me why it was charged assuring me it would be escalated. 3am on the morning of my checkout, I get a notification another $400 was charged. I went straight to the front desk who told me I had to wait for a manager. Again - no details why I was charged. I was told the manager would contact me as soon as they got in but no call so I went down again at 8am. I spoke with Jen Steed. She was professional but couldn’t provide an answer on why I continued to get charged. I was told it was a “glitch” and that it occurred at those times because systems were “rolling over”. This seemed inaccurate because they printed me the charges and turns out there was another charge I thought was for the restaurant but it wasnt. $63.75 was charged mid day and the charge is listed as “Scheduled” on the information they printed me. Jen advised me once I check it out they will release it all but it may take several days and then I’ll have to deal with my own bank - all of which seems inappropriate given these are all errors on their end but I need to resolve them? Now the main reason why I decided to write this review is because after I spoke to Jen and was told my card would not be charged further, as I get back to my room; another charge! $150. How? The numbers being charged are so obscure and don’t match anything like the value of the stay per night. It seems like fraudulent activity because chalking it up to a “glitch” just doesn’t seem believable. Now I have to deal with my bank and go through this listing it as fraud. I also have the issue that as a Canadian, I’ll have to deal with the exchange rates so even if I do get this settled, it’s unclear what amounts will be refunded. Bottom line: I won’t stay here again and wouldn’t recommend. Seems like others have similar experiences. And if you have to stay here for whatever reason, make sure you have mobile banking alerts on. Read less