Dunmore Town, Bay and Hill streets. Six kilometers from North Eleuthera Airport, on Dunmore's main street facing the harbor, this place has more attitude and contemporary panache than the more historic Landing just down the street.
Designed by the builder of the Versace mansion in Miami and Cher's Malibu digs, the hotel combines a former bed-and-breakfast with a Catholic school house. The resulting ten room hotel has public areas tailor-made for people watching -- from the courtyard sprouting palm trees and umbrellas to a poolside martini bar complete with a flat-screen TV. The small pool even has private cabanas a la the Beverly Hills Hotel as well as a large Moroccan bed for lounging and reading. The well-equipped fitness room offers guests a chance to flex their muscles. Though the property is not located seaside, the famous pink sand beach is a five-minute walk.
Continental breakfast and lunch can be had poolside, while fine dining is offered in a more formal room with a “nice casual” dress code. The restaurant, which is closed on Tuesday evenings, features a nice wine list and the menu mixes Bahamian fare with standard continental items. Friday nights see a barbeque buffet and live music.
Guest rooms feature mahogany accents and a contemporary design sense despite the lithographs on the walls and a few antique pieces. Monkey Room has a big covered terrace with views of the fashionable courtyard. Seahorse Room is similar but with views of the pool. The Paris, Nautilus and Citrus rooms all have garden views, as do two of the three suites. Unlike the 19th-century simplicity of guest rooms at The Landing, here the centrally air-conditioned accommodations have phones, desks, safes, minibars, CD players, TVs with video players, robes and high speed Internet access. All rooms feature king beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and white spreads. Little extras such as portable coolers, picnic baskets with corkscrews, and fresh flowers are nice touches. Rooms in Rock House itself can sometimes get a bit noisy. A one-bedroom suite with sitting area, balcony and minibar was added to the room inventory in 2005.
Guests who enjoy a fashionable setting, fine cuisine and sunsets over the harbor will do well here, as the beach is not the primary focus.