Welcome to Rebooked, a regular column exploring the properties that travel editors and industry contributors love so much that they return to them over and over again. Travel journalists have their pick of the litter when it comes to global hospitality—so when a property commands multiple repeat visits, it is undeniably something special.
Why I First Visited
As a beach-obsessed Floridian, I grew up venturing to the Caribbean for family vacations. This may seem odd considering the Gulf of Mexico was practically in my backyard, but the massive archipelago of islands, cays, and reefs was only a short flight away, and it continues to boast some of the most electrifying turquoise water and talcum-powder-like sand in the world. My family became so infatuated with the region that we ultimately purchased a condo in Turks and Caicos long before the destination lured celebrities like the Kardashians and grew in popularity seemingly overnight.
Unfortunately, an increase in tourism in Turks ushered in a rise in commercialization. And while there is no denying its sustained natural beauty, I have always made it a mission to seek places that continue to feel new and special—even better if they are dedicated to preserving the natural habitats that surround them. That is how I ended up itching to go somewhere beyond Turks and booking a stay at Kamalame Cay in Andros, Bahamas, for a May 2023 trip with my mom.
The resort, which sits on its own 96-acre private barrier island, touted every feature and amenity on my travel short list: private villa accommodations, a long stretch of practically waveless beaches, an overwater spa stocked with Osea Malibu products (one of my all-time favorite skincare brands), and menus dictated by nature’s bounty. But for me, Kamalame’s biggest draw was its isolation. Guests must either fly into Nassau and take a short 10-minute flight to Fresh Creek Airport, or book one of the property’s Coco seaplanes from Fort Lauderdale with a direct route to its iconic shoreline.
All in all, Kamalame epitomizes the phrase "going off the grid," and seeing as my ideal vacation vibes have always leaned far more toward rugged solitude than bustling mega-resorts, my first visit more than lived up to expectations. I knew I would be back. And I was right—in the three years since, I have returned three more times.
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What You Can Expect From a Stay
This is a property that lets nature do most of the talking. While there is an on-site restaurant, bar, meeting house, freshwater pool, and gift shop, the grounds themselves are rustic, palm tree-lined, and serve as a thriving refuge for thousands of adorable, unobtrusive hermit crabs. Guests are provided with a golf cart to get to and fro, as the sandy paths are deliberately unmarked and unpaved to exude the look and feel of being marooned on an undiscovered shore.
The barefoot-chic accommodations include 21 seaside rooms and suites. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, and small families alike, there is a bungalow for every type of party and personality. They are designed meticulously with the comforts of a cozy home, though intentionally minimalist in decor with whitewashed woods, linen curtains, and accent pieces that pay homage to the surrounding marine life. But where Kamalame Cay really shines is with its portfolio of standalone villas that can house between four and 12 guests, ranging in size, architecture, and vantage point to meet the diverse needs of every type of vacationer.
During the day, guests can borrow Mongoose fat tire bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks to get their heart rate up. No matter the journey, sea turtles, birds, stingrays, and tropical fish are guaranteed sights in the surrounding waters.
What’s Nearby
Not too much, which is precisely the point of a visit. Even the population of Andros, the Bahamas’ largest island by land mass, stands at less than 8,000 residents. Consequently, nearly all meals, activities, and daily adventures are centered around the resort, though I always advise other guests to take full advantage of Kamalame’s on-site boat offerings—whether anyone is up for a reef fishing, lionfish spearing, or bonefishing excursion.
Snorkelers and divers are in luck as well, as Andros is home to the third-largest barrier reef in the world, stretching nearly 200 miles along its eastern coast. The island also houses over 200 blue holes, representing the highest concentration of sinkholes and cave systems in the world, which demand exploration both in its dense forests and offshore anchor points. For those seeking a slower pace, a quick cruise to neighboring islands—some of which are entirely submerged by high tide—provides an ideal setting for intimate picnics, shelling, or special gatherings.
Why I Keep Coming Back
Amid life’s unexpected curveballs and the relentless demands of the modern news cycle, Kamalame is the one place where I can completely detach from the world’s hardships. This separation from reality is remarkably healthy, especially for someone who works in media and is often consumed by the headlines of the day.
Staff members treat patrons like family, providing a welcome departure from the pretentiousness that sometimes accompanies more luxurious bookings. Sure, it can be nice to dabble in stays where butlers are at one’s beck and call, but I do not always need the VIP treatment—just someone who is hospitable, gregarious, passionate about what they do, and skilled with rum.
Every sojourn to Kamalame has felt like I genuinely have the entire beach to myself. I have spent literal hours in the ocean, bobbing like the ice in my mojito, admiring the seemingly endless horizon, and allowing the Bahama sun to warm a body long accustomed to harsh winters. We may all have different definitions of paradise, but for me, this is as close as it is ever going to get.
