Baha Mar: A Premier Resort Destination in the Bahamas

Few people who have visited Baha Mar – the 1,000-acre resort destination outside Nassau that opened in May 2017, after years in the making – would say that it’s missing something.

The place has three hotels, each catering to a different demographic, with a total of 2,300 rooms. At the center is the sprawling, 1,800-room Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, embodying the spirit of “family fun” with colorful suites and six different pools. To the west is SLS Baha Mar, the first international location of the Miami hotel brand, featuring breezy white rooms and a popular rooftop lounge. To the east lies the Rosewood Baha Mar, a serene high-end retreat that earned a spot on the iBestTravel’s 2019 It List.

Getaway to The Bahamas

Baha Mar boasts over 40 restaurants, a massive casino, a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, and an aquatic center where guests can interact with marine life. Despite its large offering, until recently, Baha Mar did not feature a steakhouse, a point of contention among visitors.

At the opening of Carna, a new restaurant by master butcher Dario Cecchini, Baha Mar’s president, Graeme Davis, acknowledged guests’ repeated requests for a premier steakhouse. In response to this demand, they sought out Cecchini, who is regarded as one of the best butchers globally.

Cecchini, renowned for his family butcher shop in Chianti, has made the village of Panzano a significant stop on the Tuscan culinary tour. His first venture outside Italy, Carna has become a leading culinary attraction at Baha Mar, even attracting local Bahamians curious about this celebrity chef’s latest endeavor.

While Cecchini remains based in Chianti and visits the Bahamas as frequently as possible, he showcased his vibrant personality during the opening event, entertaining guests while carving massive porterhouses in his distinctive Italian-flag suit.

A skilled team oversees Carna, with executive chef Thomas Griese, trained under culinary greats like Thomas Keller and Michael Mina, at the helm. The impressive wine list, curated by sommelier Juan Gargano – previously of Aldo Sohm and Casa Apicii in New York City – comprises rare bottles previously unavailable in the Bahamas.

Carna exemplifies luxury dining at Baha Mar, featuring a stunning marble bar, plush banquettes, and a display of various aged meats showcased like precious gems. The menu includes a seafood tower, an array of charcuterie, and exceptional cuts of steak: from Kobe and Wagyu steak to Cecchini’s beloved Panzanese steak, or even a $245 Tomahawk steak. Unique offerings, like a steak katsu sandwich filled with caviar, highlight Cecchini’s high standards of decadence and quality.

Guests can rejoice — Baha Mar has finally added an exceptional steakhouse to its impressive lineup, and it’s a culinary destination that should not be missed.