Coffee Breakfast

Named after Christopher Columbus’s famed fleet, Cape Santa Maria Resort is laid out in a straight line parallel to the gorgeous, long beach. The lobby, with a large front desk, small convenience shop, and activities center, is housed in a homey, colorful beach house on the north side of the property. Guests can gather here to watch TV or movies, play boardgames, work out in the small fitness center, using the free Wi-Fi, or tackle a load of laundry in the coin-operated washing machines. The upstairs restaurant is the liveliest part of the resort, especially in the evenings when guests gathering for drinks. The atmosphere is relaxed here, with wicker chairs and wooden tables topping multicolored tiled floors. The restaurant's veranda gives a lovely place to take in the ocean view.

The bungalows sit nearest the beach house, lined up in a neat row along the beach. Two units make up each of the one-story, squat white buildings with wooden boardwalks. The villas are located farther down, on the south side of the property. The five villa buildings are two-story, white, and more elaborate with patios and balconies with decorative railings and light blue shutters. There is parking near each of the villas. The resort is quiet and peaceful during the day due to its size and the long stretch of sand. You can easily sit by yourself on the beach and not see another soul for 20 yards.

On Long Island, a sleepy, rugged Out Island with fabulous beaches

Cape Santa Maria Resort is located on the northern end of Long Island, in the Out Islands of the Bahamas. There are two airports on the island: Stella Maris and Deadman’s Cay. (Stella Maris is closer.) Daily flights are scheduled from Nassau. Ferry service is also available. Taxis to the hotel from Stella Maris are about $25 USD, and most drivers are happy to let guests stop at the small grocery store on the way.