Explore The Cove Eleuthera: A Luxurious Getaway

On the lesser-known Bahamian island of Eleuthera, The Cove resort merits a closer look, thanks to a stunning multiyear renovation.

The Cove Eleuthera, a 40-acre boutique hotel that opened in the Bahamas in 2013, has become the go-to for high-profile travelers seeking understated, off-the-beaten-path luxury. This stunning resort began a multi-tiered renovation last August to revamp the property’s 29 sumptuous rooms, ensuring comfort and elegance.

In late March, I visited The Cove Eleuthera with my stepmother, taking my first trip back to the island since 1985. Refreshingly, the island is still quiet. You won’t find traffic lights on Eleuthera, or traffic, for that matter. The long, flat island has a population of about 11,000. It’s Freedom Island, people will tell you. Eleuthera, after all, stems from the Greek word eleutheros: free. Maybe you know it for its sweet-as-candy pineapples, or just for its live-and-let-live attitude. People come to Eleuthera to relax.

And relax we did. Arriving at The Cove on a clear day, we wasted no time settling in on the smaller of the resort’s twin beaches, where I made instant friends with the resident sea life via a quick snorkel. The resort is home to a vibrant reef tucked into picturesque limestone cliffs, and even less experienced snorkelers can swim through the etched crannies, where orange starfish, hulking grouper, and the occasional barracuda live.

Our 1,100-square-foot two-bedroom ocean-view suite had an unobstructed view of the property, as well as the serenity captured by the nature-minded redesign.

Resort Amenities

The Cove enjoys two stunning beaches; a spa with individual cottages; bike cruisers for exploring the property; a small gym; and a full dock where guests can charter the property’s boat for day trips. Moreover, the dining venue morphs from a breakfast spot into a casual poolside lunch hang, and again into a two-pronged dinner restaurant with a full sushi bar, where guests can watch the chef work.

Tim Hepworth, an associate principal at California-based firm BAR Architects & Interiors, which spearheaded the design refresh, says his goal was to bring the natural surroundings of the island into the interiors.

The result at the property’s four villas, 23 cottages, and two suites is a design that ebbs and flows seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Linen-covered headboards, occasional blue accents, and an otherwise soothing palette of neutrals used throughout the property constantly reinforce the importance of the exterior vista.

I toured one of the resort’s luxury Caribbean cottages, a spacious, 950-square-foot one-bedroom with a porch facing the ocean. Beds float in the center of the room, with a living area before them. Rooms are earth-driven: linen sconces, pale wood, soft and oversized rugs. In the bathroom, guests can choose between a free-standing tub and a generous outdoor shower, perhaps one of the room’s most luxurious features.

Continuing renovations, slated for summer and fall 2023, will add four additional Caribbean Cottages and one more two-bedroom suite, bringing the total key count up to 34. The project is expected to be completed in November 2024.

Dining and Culinary Experiences

“The enhancements we have planned will further solidify The Cove Eleuthera as a leading resort destination on the island of Eleuthera,” says Carlton Russell, managing director, The Cove Eleuthera. Guests, Russell says, have always sought a “serene, isolated location,” which is a true draw for those who prefer a far-flung destination. The ongoing renovation will herald “elevated dining, accommodations, and immersive island experiences.”

In the waning heat of the afternoon, I took a tour through resident organic gardener Angie Cooper’s plentiful organic garden, home to starfruit and gooseberry trees, asparagus plants, and raised beds overflowing with fresh herbs and greens. Later, we enjoyed a culinary delight at the Freedom Restaurant & Sushi Bar, where my local Caribbean scallops came with some of the very greens I’d seen growing just hours earlier.

Despite the fact that the property was largely occupied during our stay, it never felt crowded. Here is a resort where you will never have to fight for a chair or dine without a reservation. If privacy is what you crave, you’ll find it at The Cove. During our stay, a wedding took place, though I had no inkling that it had even happened while I was there.

It had been a small affair, a reception near the property’s stunning Point Bar, which sits on a bluff between the North and South beaches. Later, they retreated to the property’s three-bedroom luxury cove villa, which boasts a primary bedroom that faces the water, a gleaming kitchen, a long lap pool, an outdoor shower, and butler service.

We didn’t encounter many people when we ventured off-property, either. One morning, we headed out to meet with Ethan H. Fried, Ph.D, a botanist with the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve and Bahamas National Trust to check out the native population of Hippocampus erectu, a seahorse species native to the island.

From there, our Cove tour guide, activities coordinator Shenika Darville, drove us to some of the most quietly spectacular natural formations. I jumped from a platform 40 feet in the air into the Sapphire Blue Hole, a cerulean pool with no perceivable bottom. The stunning scenery was a serene outdoor experience.

On our last night, we sat down at the sushi bar at the Freedom Restaurant & Sushi Bar, which was also part of last year’s renovation. The meal was an omakase-style dining experience and included a variety of artistic dishes prepared by South African chef Aadam Coetzee.

Being in Eleuthera, at The Cove, felt just as sweet as the island’s native pineapples. The blend of luxury, nature, and tranquility makes it a perfect retreat from the bustling world.