New Mega Resort Planned in the Bahamas

The next big resort in the Bahamas will be the Baha Mar. The $1.6 billion venture in Nassau will include more than 3,500 hotel rooms, a Harrah's casino, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course, a retail village and luxury spas. Baha Mar Resorts Ltd. announced plans Monday for the Caribbean's largest single-phase destination resort, which will be a partnership with Harrah's and Starwood Hotels. Harrah's will operate a Caesars Resort Hotel and 95,000-square-foot casino at Baha Mar. Starwood will have a W Hotel, a St. Regis, a Westin and a Sheraton. Other features of the resort include an "eco-water park" a retail village that will include upscale shops, chef-branded restaurants, and entertainment venues. Construction is to begin in 2007, with an opening set for 2010. The resort will be in competition with the Atlantis (shown here) which is also planning upgrades including a new all-suite hotel, condominiums and a golf course in a $1 billion development to be completed in 2007.