James Malcolm, V.P., Sandpiper Inn
Abaco's Sandpiper Inn is slated to open Boxing Day
Just one of Abaco's 10 kms of beaches
Come December, there’ll be a new hotel in the Bahamas. Located on the large but sparsely-populated island of Abaco, Sandpiper Inn will reflect a quieter, more laid-back and authentic Bahamian experience than some of Nassau’s mega-hotels, according to the property’s partner and Vice President James Malcolm.
Bahamian-born Malcolm told me that some 80% of visitors to the island rent homes and come back year after year, to enjoy a peaceful cottage-style getaway. “We have just 13,000 people but some 2,500 2nd homes, which many owners rent out,” he explained. (In fact, the airport in Abaco is the 2nd busiest in the Bahamas, after Nassau, with 7 flights a day from NAS as well as services from MCO and FLL.) Slated for a soft opening December 26th, the Sandpiper will accommodate just 46 guests in a combination of cottages and hotel rooms.
What’s there to do? Apart from 10 km. of white sand beaches that Malcolm says are as empty as they are beautiful, fishing will be a big draw as well as kayaking and biking. The resort will be car free, with golf carts the main form of transportation. Hopping to neighbouring islands by ferry is another option. Oh, and relaxing big time. “It’ll be a place to turn off the internet and let the kids go. Our most popular amenity for families will be a fishing pole with bait, I know!”
He also predicts that with its intimate size, the Sandpiper Inn will be perfect for destination weddings.
Greenies will also appreciate the fruits and vegetables from the hotel’s own organic garden, and that they are re-establishing part of the island’s hardwood forest, once a significant industry on Abaco.
It sounds like the perfect getaway from traffic, artificiality and the daily grind. As Malcolm’s business partner, physician Larry Carroll put it, “I figured I’d build a hotel. And if people came, that would be fine. If not, I’d just go fishing.”
I don’t think he’ll be doing a lot of fishing.
