What it is

A 20-villa resort on a pink sand beach, with a private yacht harbor and copious water sports.

What it isn't

Tasteless. Three on-site restaurants include 1648, where locavore menus include Bahamian conch rangoons, local lobster pasta and the best buttermilk fried chicken you’ve ever tasted.

What we think

When you close your eyes and picture paradise, this is what you see. Only at French Leave Resort, it’s pinch-me real. Each villa has an ocean view, vaulted ceilings and a breezy terrace, plus plenty to keep you entertained within your four walls—including loaner iPads, an LCD flat screen TV and a spa-like bathroom with two sinks (a sanity saving measure for couples). Outside, you’ll find you have wheels: a golf court you can use at your leisure to check out the lush and leafy grounds. If you’re traveling en masse, the four-bedroom Royal Island House is very worth it, thanks to four beds and baths, use of a private outdoor pool, aaaand (wait for it) four golf carts. It’s somewhat ironic the resort is called “French Leave,” because honestly, you’ll never want to leave it.

You're here because

You’ve been meaning to perfect your kayaking and stand-up-paddle boarding skills, and these crystal clear calm waters are an idyllic place to do it.

The Moment

You’re feeling peckish, but can’t possibly get up from your seafront lounge chair. So you pull out the iPad you found in your room and order a bit of waterfront “room service”: an Eleuthera grouper wrap with fried plantain, lime aioli and pineapple jicama salsa, and a bevy of chocolate chip cookies. Because: #vacation !

Restaurants & Bars

1648 - An Island Restaurant - Caribbean cuisine

Buccaneer Club Restaurant & Bar - Bahamian cuisine

Da Perk Coffee Shop - Coffee house

Sunset Inn Restaurant - Island style restaurant

Anchor Bay Fish Fry - Seafood

Pammy's - Bahamian and Caribbean food

Four Friends Restaurant - Caribbean cuisine

Governors Harbour Bakery - Bahamian breakfast food

The Deck - Burgers and beer

Location

Seafront on the island of Eleuthera, just up the road from Edwin’s Turtle Lake Marine Reserve where you can spot sea turtles in their natural habitat.