The Best Room At... The Cove Eleuthera
The Cove, a 22-villa resort on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, isn’t only a place for rest and rejuvenation—it’s also a prime example of it.
This past November, the property reopened after a substantial refurbishment that reduced its overall number of keys and upgraded significantly the ones in operation. “We did the most extensive work we’ve ever done, and have given the property a fresh, new feel,” says Sally Cooper, The Cove’s resort manager. “The villas have been renovated to blend into the environment and give a very secluded feel to the property. The rooms are very spacious, with much larger space than you would get elsewhere; they feel almost like a second home—and they’re larger than a New York apartment, that's for sure.”
Not that you need to spend too much time indoors when you’re at The Cove. Guests at the property have access to amenities from a floating sea lounge to sunset yoga, three different restaurants for dining, and proximity to some of the island’s must-see spots and local flavor. “Eleuthera really is that quintessential island getaway,” Cooper says. “There’s a sense of peacefulness here and you can come just to take some time for yourself. We don’t do enough of that these days.”
Here, we speak with Cooper about The Cove’s best villa and how to enjoy the island like a tourist and then like a local.
What do you consider to be the best room at the property and why?
The rooms are all quite lovely, and there’s a great variety among them although they’re all ocean-facing and looking out on that clear water and white sand. If I must pick, however, it would be Villa 22, which I love for its layout. It’s a 1,600-square-foot, two-bedroom infinity pool villa—a brand new product that opened just this past November—right on the beach and it’s forward facing, so you look straight out into the ocean, and because it’s near the end of our beach, it gives you a sense of being in our own private paradise. Inside, it’s a two-bedroom villa with a large living space, a full-size dinging area, and space for lounging. It's perfect for couples or a small group of friends; it’s luxurious but in an understated way.
How much does it cost per night?
The rates do vary based on seasonality, but a two-bedroom beachfront villa typically starts at about $3,000 a night.
How would you describe the guests and the vibe at the hotel?
The Cove attracts discerning, well-traveled guests who appreciate luxury. We are nestled between two pristine, sandy coves and we have a private beach, which is important. The resort feels like a secret getaway, it's the kind of place where you can disconnect from the world and take time out for yourself. We get a lot of busy professionals who come down for a long weekend or a five-night stay, often booked spontaneously, so that they can take some time for themselves. Being here brings me a sense of peace, and I think that’s what we offer to guests as well.
What feeling about Eleuthera do you hope to impart to guests?
Eleuthera is an incredibly special place. It's not overdeveloped, and there’s still so much natural beauty here. The property is set up in such a way that guests can take in the best views of nature from the dining rooms and every guest room. That really gives us a sense of space and being immersed in this environment. We also have a great team, and the people from Eleuthera are its best ambassadors, they have a natural sense of hospitality that really does bring gusts a sense of place. We’ve also worked with the Bahamas National Trust to repopulate the grounds with indigenous plants and remove any invasive species.
What’s a local attraction that you always recommend?
Daddy Joe's is definitely a place full of absolute characters. It's got a simple menu, great food, and excellent cocktails, but the atmosphere, the vibe, and the conversation around the bar are where you get a real sense of the locals. So, that's quite a lot of fun. There’s also Preacher’s Cave, a historical site that was a sanctuary for early settlers in 1648, and Sapphire Blue Hole, which you can jump into and is spectacular in terms of its depth, like a sunken cave. And don’t forget to take in the dramatic view from Glass Window Bridge, the thinnest part of the island which has the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. If you’ve already done all of that, try a bike ride to the pineapple farms. That’s an awful lot of fun.
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