Your stay — Arawak Inn
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The Property — Arawak Inn
The Arawak Inn is a modest, no-frills three-star property on Cable Beach, with a faded colonial facade and a small pool shaded by palm trees. Its main draw is straightforward beach access and a price point well below the neighbouring resorts. You’ll find a mix of budget-conscious families and solo divers stopping over before heading to the Out Islands. Standing in the lobby feels like stepping into a quiet, slightly dated 1970s holiday lodge — clean but worn at the edges.
Chronicles of Nassau
Nassau was founded in 1670 as Charles Town, renamed after the Dutch Nassau family, and grew into a haven for pirates like Blackbeard. Its harbour and fortifications — particularly Fort Charlotte and Fort Fincastle — were built by the British in the 18th century to defend against Spanish attacks. The city’s architecture is a jumble of pastel-coloured Georgian and Victorian buildings, with the modern duty-free shopping strip of Bay Street replacing the old slave market. Today, Nassau is the commercial and political capital of the Bahamas, heavily dependent on tourism and offshore finance, with a vibrant Junkanoo festival culture that spills onto the streets every Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Best Time to Visit
Full Nassau guide →Best months
December and April: dry, sunny, highs around 26°C, and fewer cruise ship crowds than January–March.
Peak / festival surge
February and March: high season driven by North American winter escapees and spring-break crowds; hotel prices double or triple; the annual Bacardi Cup sailing regatta in March also draws visitors.
Budget shoulder season
May and November: still warm (24–28°C), lower rain than summer, hotel rates drop 30–40%, and beaches stay quiet.
Weather & packing
June is the start of the wet season, with daily tropical showers and humidity often above 75%. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a fast-dry swimsuit — not heavy rain gear.
Live City Briefing — Nassau
- The New Providence Road Improvement Project continues on Bay Street and East-West Highway; expect lane closures and detours, especially near the cruise port.
- A new all-day ferry service between Nassau and Paradise Island launched in May 2025, cutting taxi costs — runs every 30 minutes from Potter’s Cay Dock.
- The annual Bahamas International Film Festival is scheduled for early December 2026, but no major June events — expect regular June specials at local restaurants during the quieter shoulder period.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Arawak Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
High-floor, street-facing rooms above the third floor flood with Bahamian light and sea views, but they catch the West Bay Street traffic hum. Better to snag a rear-facing room on the fourth or fifth floor—quieter and cooler, with a glimpse of the pool area.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms flanking the lobby or the accessible room on ground zero: staff footfall and front-desk chatter bleed in. Also, rooms directly over the car park entrance (usually west side) get engine rumble and headlight wash at night.
Best views
Street-facing rooms on floors 4–5 give a sliver of the bay over the palm fringe; the pool side offers a tropical courtyard clipped by the three-step pool access. No full ocean vista here—this is a modest 3-star.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5, especially rooms at the back (away from West Bay Street) or the lift alcove side. The third floor has decent quiet but shares a service corridor near the ice machine.
🔊 Noise notes
West Bay Street hums from 7am to 11pm—buses, taxis, and the occasional party bus. The pool deck is a daytime buzz spot, not a late-night one. A side alley (behind the overflow lot) may host staff smoke breaks.
Insider tips
1) The free street parking is first-come; arrive before 3pm or use the overflow lot across the street—it’s safer from break-ins. 2) Check in early to request a high floor room (4+) and a mini-fridge if you need one; the desk can sometimes slip you a kettle. 3) The complimentary 5 Mbps Wi-Fi drops near the pool; sit in the lobby or ask for a room near the router.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Arawak Inn
Complimentary basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) included; no paid upgrade; no login required on guest devices
Guestroom lift serves all floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to The Nassau Guardian via hotel app; no physical papers; no building heritage quirks
Check-in 15:00, check-out 11:00; early bag drop allowed if room ready by 12:00; late check-out until 14:00 for $50 if available
Free storage at front desk for same-day arrivals/departures; no overnight storage
Step-free access at main entrance; one accessible room on ground floor; no lift to pool area (three steps)
On-site self-parking free for guests; overflow lot across street; no EV charging; nearest public car park at Bay Street Garage ($15/day)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 12% resort fee per room per night, plus 10% VAT on accommodation; no separate city tax
Deposit & card hold: First night deposit required at booking; $100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Holy Spirit Anglican Church (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Church: Saint Mary the Virgin Anglican Church (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Oakes Field Shopping Centre — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Public Park & Beach — 568 m · ~7 min walk
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Fiona’s Theatre — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Bahamian Dollar, BSD (pegged 1:1 to USD; USD accepted everywhere)
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid currency exchange desks at the airport and cruise port, which give poor rates and charge fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops; Amex less common; some small stalls and taxis prefer cash.
Restaurants: 15-20% if service charge not included. Taxis: $1-2 per bag, 10-15% of fare. Hotel staff: $1-2 per bag, $2-5 per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee from a roadside vendor or basic café; about $3-4 BSD.
Conch fritters or a fish sandwich from a casual eatery; around $8-12 BSD.
Grilled fish or chicken with rice and peas at a local diner; main about $14-18 BSD.
Arawak Cay (The Fish Fry) has many stalls with grilled fish, conch salad, and cracked conch for cheap; also near Potter's Cay Dock.
Super Value and Solomon's Fresh Market are common budget chains in Nassau.
Affordable basics at KFC's downtown Nassau (not fried chicken – a department store) or at the Straw Market for beachwear and souvenirs.
Minibus (jitney) fare $1.25 BSD per ride; from the airport, a jitney costs $1.25 BSD (route 10 or 12) but runs only to town – budget $35 BSD for a taxi if you're not near a stop.
Eat at Arawak Cay (The Fish Fry) for better value than tourist restaurants. Use ATMs at banks, not in hotels or the cruise port. Haggle at the Straw Market for souvenirs, but don't try it in shops with fixed prices.
Emergency Contacts
NassauIn Nassau, dial 911 for police, ambulance, or fire. For non-emergencies, contact the Royal Bahamas Police Force at 242-322-4444. The Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) is on 242-322-3877 for marine emergencies.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Nassau, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Arawak Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) → Arawak Inn
💡 Call the inn a day before arrival to confirm. It's free for hotel guests but seats are limited.
Downtown Nassau (George Street) → Arawak Inn (West Bay Street stop)
💡 Exact change only—drivers don't break bills. Sit on the ocean side for best views.
Downtown Nassau (Bay Street) → Arawak Inn (West Bay Street)
💡 Look for minibuses with yellow licence plates—they run shared routes. Flag them anywhere along the route.
Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) → Arawak Inn (West Bay Street)
💡 Fixed rate from airport to cable beach area is $35 for 1-2 people. Ask for a rate card before getting in.
About Nassau
Wikipedia ↗
Nassau ( NASS-aw) is the capital and largest city of the Bahamas. It is on the island of New Providence, which has a population of 296,522, 74.26% of the country's total population. Nassau is commonly defined as a primate city, dwarfing all other towns in the country. It is the centre of commerce, e...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Arawak Inn?
High-floor, street-facing rooms above the third floor flood with Bahamian light and sea views, but they catch the West Bay Street traffic hum. Better to snag a rear-facing room on the fourth or fifth floor—quieter and cooler, with a glimpse of the pool area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Arawak Inn?
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms flanking the lobby or the accessible room on ground zero: staff footfall and front-desk chatter bleed in. Also, rooms directly over the car park entrance (usually west side) get engine rumble and headlight wash at night.
Is Arawak Inn noisy?
West Bay Street hums from 7am to 11pm—buses, taxis, and the occasional party bus. The pool deck is a daytime buzz spot, not a late-night one. A side alley (behind the overflow lot) may host staff smoke breaks.
Which rooms have the best views at Arawak Inn?
Street-facing rooms on floors 4–5 give a sliver of the bay over the palm fringe; the pool side offers a tropical courtyard clipped by the three-step pool access. No full ocean vista here—this is a modest 3-star.
What are insider tips for staying at Arawak Inn?
1) The free street parking is first-come; arrive before 3pm or use the overflow lot across the street—it’s safer from break-ins. 2) Check in early to request a high floor room (4+) and a mini-fridge if you need one; the desk can sometimes slip you a kettle. 3) The complimentary 5 Mbps Wi-Fi drops near the pool; sit in the lobby or ask for a room near the router.
What time is check-in at Arawak Inn?
Check-in at Arawak Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Arawak Inn have Wi-Fi?
Complimentary basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) included; no paid upgrade; no login required on guest devices
Is there a city or tourist tax at Arawak Inn?
12% resort fee per room per night, plus 10% VAT on accommodation; no separate city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Arawak Inn?
Conch fritters or a fish sandwich from a casual eatery; around $8-12 BSD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Arawak Inn?
Minibus (jitney) fare $1.25 BSD per ride; from the airport, a jitney costs $1.25 BSD (route 10 or 12) but runs only to town – budget $35 BSD for a taxi if you're not near a stop.
When is the best time to visit Nassau?
December and April: dry, sunny, highs around 26°C, and fewer cruise ship crowds than January–March.
Top Attractions in Nassau
💡 Free entry but donations expected. It's small — 20 minutes is enough. Combine with a walk through the nearby Prince George Wharf.
💡 Go early morning (before 9am) to avoid cruise ship crowds. The top gives you a decent view of the harbour for free.
💡 Free entry but donations welcome. Bring your own water — no café on site. The audio tour is worth the small fee.
💡 Entry is $10 for adults, free on the first Thursday of each month. The courtyard café is a quiet spot for coffee away from Bay Street.
💡 Entry is $19 per adult — one of the few cheap animal encounters. The flamingo parade is at 11am and 2pm. Allow 90 minutes.