You’re probably used to the "luxury Bahamas" pitch by now. It usually involves a massive marble lobby, a swim-up bar crowded with people from New Jersey, and a buffet that costs sixty bucks. But The Other Side hotel Bahamas isn't that. Honestly, it’s barely a hotel in the traditional sense. It’s more of a solar-powered camp for adults who want to disappear without actually having to sleep on the ground or deal with bugs.
Getting there is a bit of a trek. You fly into North Eleuthera, hop on a boat, and look for a strip of white sand that looks almost uninhabited. It’s located on a tiny sliver of land between the Atlantic and the Bight of Eleuthera. If you’re looking for a concierge to carry your bags while wearing a tuxedo, you’re in the wrong place. This is where you go when you’re tired of being "reachable."
The "Glamping" Reality Check
People throw the word glamping around way too much. Usually, it just means a tent with a rug. At The Other Side hotel Bahamas, the "shacks" are essentially high-end, hardwood cottages wrapped in canvas. They sit right on the edge of the water. You wake up, and the first thing you see isn't a TV screen or a mini-fridge—it’s the turquoise gradient of the Caribbean. It’s wild. The design is intentional; it’s meant to blur the line between being inside and being part of the ecosystem.
The property is the brainchild of Ben Houlihan and Victoria Watt. They’re the same duo behind Ocean View Club in Harbour Island. While Ocean View is quirky and social, The Other Side is its quiet, slightly more eccentric sibling. They didn't just build a resort; they built a self-sustaining system. Everything runs on solar power. That sounds like a marketing gimmick, but it’s a logistical necessity when you're off the grid in the Out Islands.
Why the Solar Thing Matters
Most resorts in the Bahamas guzzle diesel. It’s noisy, it smells, and it’s expensive. By committing to solar, this place maintains a silence that’s almost jarring if you’re coming from a big city. You hear the wind. You hear the water hitting the stilts. You don't hear the hum of a massive industrial AC unit.
It creates a different vibe. You start to notice things. The way the light changes over the Glass Window Bridge in the distance. The way the tide moves. You're forced to sync up with the environment because the environment is literally powering your reading lamp. It’s not about being a martyr for the planet; it’s just a better way to experience the islands.
What Do You Actually Do All Day?
Nothing. Or everything. It depends on your personality.
A lot of guests spend the morning at the communal "Playroom." It’s a massive tent filled with books, backgammon sets, and a record player. It feels like the living room of a very wealthy, very relaxed friend who spends their time collecting art and drinking good rum. There’s a small pool, but honestly, the ocean is right there. The water is shallow, clear, and stays warm enough that you don't do that weird shivering dance when you walk in.
- Boat over to Harbour Island. It’s a ten-minute ride. You go there for the pink sand beaches and the high-end dining at places like The Landing or Sip Sip.
- Paddleboarding. The water around the hotel is usually flat as a pancake. It’s perfect for beginners or people who just want to look at sea turtles without getting their hair wet.
- The Swing. There is a literal wooden swing in the middle of the ocean. It’s the "Instagram spot," sure, but sitting there at sunset with a drink is genuinely one of the most peaceful things you can do in this hemisphere.
Food here is communal-style and hyper-local. They have their own garden. They get fish from the guys down the coast. You aren't choosing from a 12-page menu. You eat what’s fresh and what’s been prepared that day. If you’re a picky eater who needs a specific brand of cereal at 3:00 AM, you’re going to struggle. If you like grilled snapper and vegetables that actually taste like they came from the dirt, you’ll be fine.
The Logistics of Getting Lost
Most people fly into ELH (North Eleuthera). From there, it’s a land taxi to the dock, then a water taxi to the property. It sounds like a lot. It is. But that’s the barrier to entry that keeps the place special. It filters out the people who just want an easy all-inclusive experience.
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The price point is high. Let’s be real. You’re paying for the privacy and the engineering it takes to run a luxury operation on a remote beach. It’s not "cheap" to be eco-friendly in the middle of the ocean. However, compared to the sterile, over-manicured resorts in Nassau, the value here is in the authenticity.
Real Talk About the "Shacks"
Each tent/shack is outfitted with four-poster beds, hardwood floors, and standalone tubs. The bathrooms are tucked behind privacy screens. It’s open-air living. This means if there’s a storm, you’re going to hear it. If a bird decides to wake up at 5:00 AM, you’re going to hear it. For some, that’s a nightmare. For the target audience of The Other Side hotel Bahamas, that’s the whole point.
The communal dining table is where you meet everyone else. You might find a tech CEO sitting next to a honeymooning couple from London or a photographer from New York. Because there are so few rooms, you get to know people. It’s a social experiment that actually works because everyone there has already passed the "I’m willing to take three planes and a boat to get here" test.
Common Misconceptions
People think "off-grid" means "no WiFi." It doesn't. You can still check your emails, though you’ll probably feel guilty doing it.
Another big mistake is thinking you need a packed itinerary. You don't. The best way to "do" Eleuthera and The Other Side is to have no plan. Wake up when the sun hits the canvas. Drink coffee. See if the boat is going to Harbour Island. If not, stay put. Read a book. Walk the beach.
The staff doesn't hover. They aren't there to bow and scrape. They treat you like a guest in a home. It’s a very Bahamian style of hospitality—warm, genuine, and completely devoid of the "customer is always right" corporate fluff.
Making the Most of Your Stay
If you're actually going to pull the trigger and book this, there are a few things you need to know to not look like a tourist.
First, pack light. You do not need heels. You do not need a suit. You need linen, a good hat, and plenty of sunscreen. The sun in the Out Islands is aggressive. Second, bring cash for the water taxis and tips, though the hotel handles most of the big stuff. Third, embrace the "island time" philosophy. If the boat is five minutes late, look at the ocean. It’s fine.
Actionable Insights for Your Trip
- Book Well in Advance: Since there are only a handful of tents, they fill up months—sometimes a year—out, especially for the winter "high season" (December through April).
- Fly Into North Eleuthera (ELH): Don't fly into Governor's Harbour unless you want to pay for a very long, very expensive taxi ride.
- Coordinate the Boat: Make sure you tell the hotel your flight details. They’ll have a driver waiting. If you try to wing it at the dock, it’s a headache.
- Combine Experiences: Spend three nights at The Other Side for the peace, then maybe two nights at Ocean View Club on Harbour Island if you want to see the "scene" and do some shopping.
- Check the Weather: Hurricane season (June to November) is real. Many Out Island spots close or scale back during the peak of it. February and March are the sweet spots for perfect weather, though it can get "chilly" (low 70s) at night.
This isn't a place for everyone. It’s for the person who wants to see what the Bahamas looked like before the giant cruise ships showed up. It’s expensive, it’s quiet, and it’s a little bit difficult to reach. But once you’re sitting on that submerged swing with nothing but blue in every direction, you’ll realize why people keep coming back.
The next step is simple: check your calendar for the off-peak shoulder months like May or November. You'll get the same views with a slightly lower price tag and even more of the beach to yourself. Just make sure your camera is charged, because while you're there to disconnect, you’re definitely going to want to remember what that water looks like.