February 6, 2008

Caribbean | Bahamas

Rasta-Style R&R

By Mark Jolly

Skankin’s never been this easy at a new Bob Marley-themed resort in the Bahamas.

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Reggae heads and Caribbean spa seekers will have something to sing about on Saturday. A full year late (no worries, mon), the former governor’s mansion in Nassau, Bahamas, will officially open as the Marley Resort & Spa in the week that would have marked the music legend’s 63rd birthday. The converted res, which was Bob Marley’s maryjane manor summer home for many years, comprises of 16 master suites, each named after one of the music legend’s songs (which means some guests will be retiring to the Easy Skankin’ or the Kinky Reggae suite).

The boutique retreat is set on a secluded stretch of the four-mile-long Cable Beach — which is also home to a new 694-room Sheraton. The on-site Natural Mystic Spa features bath rituals concocted by the musician’s widow, Rita, while in-room comforts include tropical rain showers, whirlpool tubs and Bose entertainment systems (critical for that deep-dub reggae base). With winter rates starting at $650, you can safely assume this isn’t some sort of ganga-and-hammock hostel. But don’t let that spoil the seduction: a resident “love expert” is on hand to attend to wedding, honeymoon and vow-renewal packages.