You have many reasons to consider a destination wedding or honeymoon in The Bahamas, and this is why Nassau, Bahamas is so popular with couples and destination wedding groups:
- It’s the closest Caribbean destination to North America.
- It’s got fantastic duty-free shopping.
- Thrilling casino action is located off Cable Beach at Bahia Mar.
- The stunning underwater world surrounding Nassau makes it one of the Best Locations for Scuba Diving in the Caribbean.
Another thing we love about Nassau is the choices you have in an all-inclusive destination wedding resort.
Today, we’re talking about Breezes Bahamas and Sandals Royal Bahamian!
Breezes vs Sandals—Which Resort Is the Best for You?
Breezes Bahamas and Sandals Royal Bahamian are a six-minute drive apart on West Bay Street in Nassau, Bahamas. Both all-inclusive resorts are conveniently located near Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Sandals Royal Bahamian is the most elegant all-inclusive resort with an exotic offshore island adventure.
Our Sandals Royal Bahamian review is current, and our impressions of Breezes are based on a trip to Nassau not subject to COVID restrictions. This destination wedding review includes personal opinions that are independent of Wedding Pioneer.
Both Breezes and Sandals offer tremendous value to travelers, and both resorts offer destination weddings.
But that’s where the similarities end, and here’s why:
- Breezes is honestly billed as a 3-star resort, and it’s a great idea to keep expectations low.
- As a luxury-included resort, Sandals Royal Bahamian specializes in destination weddings and customizing the wedding of your dreams.
- Breezes states on its website that couples, singles, groups of friends, and families with children over 14 are welcome as guests. Breezes can be a decent and economical family vacation destination.
- Sandals Royal Bahamian caters to destination wedding groups and couples, creating a far different, adults-only experience for guests who are 18+.
We appreciate that Breezes is pretty upfront about its reputation as a Spring Break party destination. While we were not there during these hectic student travel periods, many adult guests warn other travelers not to visit Breezes when student groups are there.
It’s always a great idea to check traveler reviews for a destination, and we think that’s especially important when planning your wedding!
That’s why we recommend Sandals Royal Bahamian as the best all-inclusive destination wedding resort in Nassau. But we did investigate wedding packages at Breezes, and we’re happy to present this overall review so you can easily compare the two locations.
Overview of Breezes Bahamas
This charming seaside all-inclusive resort in The Bahamas is situated on almost 1000-ft of the powder-white sands of Cable Beach, the island's best beach.
Breezes Bahamas falls under SuperClubs Collection of Hotels and Resorts, and this economy-all-inclusive property has been open since 1995, although the building is 50+ years old.
There are 391 guest rooms in total, but if you’re planning a destination wedding at Breezes, we strongly suggest investing in a suite or beachfront patio room for upgraded amenities or far better views. Unfortunately, our “classic room” was not soundproofed or up-to-date.
Dining and Drinking at Breezes
Again, we appreciated knowing Breezes does not open its a la carte restaurants every night. One a la carte restaurant should be opened nightly, but be forewarned that reservations are required, and lineups are expected.
Dining choices at Breezes include Italian, Asian-Fusion, and gourmet-style offerings at the Garden of Eden. We enjoyed one above-average dinner during our stay and were treated to a warm and professional waiter who was the exception when it came to service personnel at Breezes.
The main dining room at Breezes is called the Banana Boat, where generic buffet breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are served.
The Reggae Cafe Beach Grill is open daily, and we enjoyed light snacks here, including a delicious jerk chicken—although the lineups were an issue.
Bars at Breezes should be open to serve from 10 am daily until 2 am the following morning.
We strongly recommend that you bring a “Big Gulp” style cup from home and have your drinks served in that container at Breezes because long lineups are an issue at their four bars.
Entertainment and Activities at Breezes
Breezes offers a short list of activities:
- Their swimming pools include a swim-up pool bar, a main pool, and a misting pool.
- A “racquet center” and kayaking are mentioned but not always available.
- There is a limited fitness center off the main lobby with decent equipment.
- The Blue Mahoe Seaside Spa offers treatments at an additional fee.
- Private beach dinners are also available for a fee.
A small, dark, and not well-ventilated disco onsite at Breezes is open late. We enjoyed the piano bar more at Breezes.
What Makes Sandals Royal Bahamian the Best Resort?
Sandals Royal Bahamian is the most elegant all-inclusive resort with an exotic offshore island adventure.
From the very first glance, it’s obvious to see that Sandals Royal Bahamian is simply more elegant.
But if affordability is a must in your wedding budget, you have a wide range of accommodation categories at Royal Bahamian, and our review of the East and West Bay Villages at Royal Bahamian also describes the differences between the former Balmoral and Windsor Towers.
Here’s what to love about Royal Bahamian:
- 12 rotating restaurant choices, including two brand-new food trucks—click the links for pics and check out menus and hours here!
- The Coconut Grove lounge area is all-new.
- Swim-up suites in the Crystal Lagoon are spectacular for honeymooners—click the link for accurate prices and a full description!
- Sandals Barefoot Cay is Royal Bahamian’s private island and is perfect for your honeymoon adventure!
Exclusive Red Lane spa treatments and private candlelit dinners are “vacation extras” available at Royal Bahamian.
Now let’s compare wedding planning services between Breezes and Sandals.
Planning a Wedding at Breezes
According to their website, Breezes offers three wedding packages that range from $2,250 to approximately $7,000.
Here are highlights of any Breezes wedding package:
- An officiant presides over your ceremony, so it’s legal anywhere with the correct paperwork.
- You can customize your wedding decor with color-coded themes, including “Tropical,” “Aqua,” and “Seashell.”
- A “Mini Reception” is included in all packages immediately following the wedding ceremony, with upgrades like an “additional reception” available at cost.
The wedding planning link on the Breezes website has more information, including a viewable and downloadable PDF of features and add-ons.
There’s also a contact button on the wedding planning tab to have a “Dream Wedding Planner” contact you, and we always recommend that our couples reach out to planners and get all of your questions answered in advance.
Planning Your Wedding at Sandals Royal Bahamian
Sandals specializes in any kind of destination wedding you can imagine—from a dreamy customized wedding fit for a princess to a boho beach elopement.
The difference with planning your wedding at Sandals is that “packages” are not available.
What Sandals does the best is a Free Tropical Wedding with stays of three nights or more. Special features include your wedding planning team, who assists with marriage documents and helps to design a wedding theme and a reception menu that meets your budget—not the other way around!
Imagine your wedding day at Royal Bahamian on the beautiful powdery beach or a lush, private garden setting.
Here is what makes your Sandals Royal Bahamian wedding special:
- Sandals provides a friendly, local non‐denominational marriage officer who officiates your legal wedding ceremony.
- A one-hour cocktail reception is included with premium beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and a signature cocktail for the wedding couple.
- The honeymooners get a specialty dinner for two with white-glove service.
- The honeymooners receive a breakfast in bed with mimosas.
- Wedding couple discounts on exclusive Red Lane spa services.
You’ll also receive a free Sandals Wedding and Honeymoon Gift Registry with every Sandals wedding and a complimentary 5″ x 7″ wedding photograph.
Wedding Photography and videography are also available directly at Royal Bahamian, or check out Wedding Pioneer’s outstanding destination wedding photographers for your big day in The Bahamas!
