Stella Maris Resort Club

There’s nothing ritzy about the Stella Maris, but it’s casual, relaxed, and cheerful. Palm trees, flowers, tropical plants, and cooling breezes surround the natural and untended grounds. The complex is large and fairly spread out with wooden signs pointing the way to the tennis court or the pool. The reception area, clubhouse, and restaurant are perched at the top of the hill, near the entrance. The reception area, its front desk surrounded with white-washed walls, terra-cotta tiled floors, and overgrown plants, sets the tone for the rest of the property. The casual and relaxed clubhouse has a long bar topped with ceiling fans and lined with bamboo barstools, a pool table, and a foosball table. Its large outdoor terrace, with patio furniture and blue sun umbrellas, overlooks the clubhouse pool. The lounge is fairly empty during the day but livens up at night, particularly after dinner, when guests migrate over to relax and have a nightcap. Another reason people gather here: There’s free Wi-Fi in the clubhouse and on the terrace.

The rest of the property is set on a gradual hill, with the hotel rooms and cottages near the top, and the larger apartments and villas at the bottom, near the ocean. The open-air Moonshine Bar, located by the beach and the main pool, is the most popular area of the resort. Simply adorned with sky-blue walls and wall-mounted fish, the bar serves guests meals or cocktails and lounging by the main pool. The other pools are practically empty during the day.

Stella Maris Resort was built in the 1960’s and has been family-owned ever since. As expected, a property with this history has some interesting quirks that separate it from generic resort grounds, such as a monument to the founder, a stone lookout point, various nature pools near the ocean, and hidden gardens and walkways. The chill, friendly vibe here attracts couples, families with older children, and groups of friends. 

Stella Maris Resort Club is located on Long Island, in the Out Islands of the Bahamas. The resort is a five-minute cab ride from the Stella Maris Airport; taxis cost about $10 USD. Daily flights are scheduled from Nassau, and ferry service is also available.

At 80 miles long and no more than five miles wide, Long Island is fairly remote, and there’s one main road that goes from the top of the island to the bottom. There isn’t much around the resort, and only a small number of restaurants and shops on the island. Guests who don’t mind a lack of a town or nightlife would do well here. Those looking for a more active resort with plenty to do in the area should look into properties in Nassau, such as Comfort Suites Paradise Island or Sunrise Beach Clubs and Villas.   

The simple rooms and cottages at Stella Maris have an appealing, conventionally beachy look. Beige-tile floors and white walls are decorated by wicker furniture, seaglass-green cushions, and starfish or palm-tree framed prints. Embellishments such as "Life’s A Beach" signs, starfish paperweights, candles, and an orange throw rug add the finishing touches. In the bedroom a coral-patterned comforter, white curtains, and wicker dressers keep things airy and bright. Amenities include mini-fridges, coffee-making facilities, air-conditioning, and a little welcome basket with rum and juice, but lack TVs, safes, or Wi-Fi. Cottages also open onto terraces furnished with a pair of wooden chairs.

The white-tile bathrooms are large and a little worn looking, outfitted in a tiled vanity sink, wall-mounted hairdryers, shower/tub combos, and a coral-printed shower curtain matching the bedding. One nice surprise is the high-end Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. Note that the water in the rooms isn't palatable -- although it’s safe to consume, it tastes awful. (The resort provides drinkable water through a fountain near reception.)

In addition to hotel rooms and cottages, the resort also provides villas and apartments, ranging from one to four bedrooms. These have fully-equipped kitchens, large living and dining areas, and porches. Two of the villas have their own private pool.

One guest complaint: Stella Maris does not lock the doors on its guest rooms, but a key is available upon request. This may make some travelers uncomfortable, but crime on the Out Islands is practically non-existent.

Stella Maris has three pools on the property. The clubhouse pool and the cottages pool are both small and tend to stay empty. The rectangular clubhouse pool has a handful of metal loungers by it, while the L-shaped cottage pool has a shallow deck with no room for chairs and loungers; guest mostly use it to take a quick dip. The action is centered on the larger main pool, located by the Moonshine Bar. Surrounded by a simple, cement deck and lacking any landscaping, the pool isn't particularly attractive or scenic, but beautiful views can be found a few steps away, near the bar. A few loungers are set up around the perimeter, and a small shady gazebo overlooks the ocean. 

While Stella Maris is on the beach, the beaches are, unfortunately, not swimmable with rough waves and rocky shores. But the clear, turquoise-blue water makes a beautiful backdrop. The main beach, near Moonshine Bar and the main pool, is attractive and rugged, with a wide expanse of sand and a few loungers and hammocks strung up under cabanas. A small playground also sits to one side. The resort also has nature pools that are accessible by walking down a boardwalk near the bar, where stones have formed to create pockets of still, swimmable water. The nature pools look a bit intimidating, but may be fine for adventurous swimmers. There's another beach a short walk down the road that's also rocky but scenic. 

Stella Maris offers guests a free shuttle, twice a day, to other beaches around the island where swimming is safe. The shuttle goes to the unmissable Cape Santa Maria area with its spectacular beach. (Guests who want a swimmable beach on-site can look into the Cape Santa Maria Resort, although it’s a bit more expensive.)

There are two on-site eateries, which is rare for an Out Island property. Stella Maris Restaurant is the more formal of the two, with an indoor dining room. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves good Caribbean-inspired food. Moonshine Bar and Grill, located by the beach, is a casual beach bar with great cocktails and a light bar menu with burgers and salads. There is often live entertainment in the restaurant at night and at the beach bar during the day.

The resort offers a variety of activities that changes daily, many of which are free. In addition to the shuttle, there are also caving trips, sail boats, free bikes and kayaks, daily snorkel excursions, and rum punch parties. Other excursions, such as fishing and diving, are also offered for an extra charge. Note that the activities aren’t pushed or required; guests are also free to spend their time simply relaxing solo.

Stella Maris has a fitness center, and although it has a whole host of weight machines, cardio machines, and free weights, the space is dark, dingy, and unfinished. It's also not air-conditioned.

Stella Maris has an all-inclusive package that includes three meals and three drinks per day (note that it is not unlimited alcohol). The all-inclusive package includes some activities, such as a beach and snorkel excursion.    

Stella Maris has a wedding planner and offers a variety of customized wedding packages. Services include dinner, decorations, photography, entertainment, hair and make-up, and excursions.