Pink Sands Resort is the Harbour Island hotel to choose if you want a cottage of your own, a private pool option and a polished restaurant on site. The resort traces its history to 1951, when the Malcolm family began welcoming guests to a handful of cottages above the beach that gave the hotel its name. Later owners included Chris Blackwell of Island Records. A full reimagining in 2021 refreshed the whole property.
Today it mixes rustic charm with five-star comfort. Cottages sit in flowering gardens, some facing the gardens and others the ocean. The Oceanfront Cottage with Pool gives couples their own pool a few steps from the sand. Larger villas and houses with private pools suit longer stays or families. Malcolm 51 serves modern island cooking at dinner and the Blue Bar & Kitchen looks straight out over the pink sand.
Pink Sands suits couples who want privacy, good food and the famous beach on their doorstep. It is less suited to couples who want to walk to Dunmore Town's restaurants every evening, though the golf cart ride is short. It is one of the island's most expensive addresses, so budget accordingly.
Highlights at a glance
- Cottages and villas in gardens above Pink Sands Beach
- Oceanfront Cottage with a private pool
- Malcolm 51 for modern island-style dinners
- Blue Bar & Kitchen on the beach
- History stretching back to 1951
Why Couples Love Pink Sands
The combination of seclusion and beach is the main draw. Cottages are scattered through gardens rather than lined up in a block, so you feel tucked away while still being a short stroll from the sand. Mornings start with breakfast at the Blue Bar looking over the beach. Afternoons drift between a lounger, a swim and a nap.
The resort has a long history on the island and a reputation for style. Couples who stay here often mention the attention to detail in the cottages, the calm atmosphere and the quality of the dinners at Malcolm 51. The beach in front is part of the same three-mile sweep of rose-tinted sand as the rest of the east shore, protected by an offshore reef that keeps the water gentle on most days. It feels like a classic Harbour Island stay with modern comforts.
Cottages and Villas to Book
The accommodation list is varied, so choose carefully.
- Garden View Cottages are the entry point, set among flowering plants for privacy.
- Ocean View Cottages sit steps from the beach with a view of the water.
- Oceanfront Cottages put you right on the beach.
- The Oceanfront Cottage with Pool adds a private pool and is the standout honeymoon choice.
- Two-bedroom Ocean View and Oceanfront Cottages have large patios with loungers and umbrellas.
- Villas and houses, such as the Garden View Villa, La Mer Azure and Banyan Tree, have two or three bedrooms and private pools.
If budget allows, book the Oceanfront Cottage with Pool. It delivers both a private pool and the beach on your doorstep. If not, an Ocean View or Oceanfront Cottage gives you the setting without the pool.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Malcolm 51 is the resort's signature restaurant. It serves modern island-style cuisine at dinner, from 5pm to 9pm, with indoor and garden-side seating, a sushi bar, a dessert menu and a good wine list. Reservations are made through an online booking system and fill up in high season, so book a few nights in advance.
The Blue Bar & Kitchen is the beachfront spot, serving breakfast from 7:30am and lunch from noon, with seaside drinks at sunset. In-room dining is available and the resort can arrange private dining experiences on the beach or in the garden for a special night.
Spa treatments are available on request, while some packages include spa credit. Ask about couples massages when you book. The resort also hosts culinary events from time to time, which can be a fun addition to a stay.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Pink Sands Beach is the main event. Walk it at sunrise, swim in the calm water inside the reef or rent a paddleboard. Snorkeling trips, fishing charters and boat days to nearby cays are easy to book on the island.
Rent a golf cart to explore Harbour Island. Dunmore Town, with its pastel clapboard cottages and white picket fences, is a few minutes away and makes a lovely afternoon of browsing boutiques and stopping for conch salad on Bay Street. The Devil's Backbone reef offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in the area. Take a day trip to Eleuthera to see the Glass Window Bridge, where the Atlantic and the calmer Bight of Eleuthera nearly meet. Sundowners on the harbor side of the island are a nightly ritual for many visitors.
Getting There
Fly into North Eleuthera Airport (ELH), which has flights from Florida, Atlanta and Nassau. Take a short taxi ride to the dock, then a water taxi across the harbor to Harbour Island in about 10 minutes. On the island, a taxi or golf cart takes you to the resort in a few minutes.
Golf carts are the main way to get around, so book one in advance through the resort or a local rental company. Rentals can run short during the winter high season. Driving is on the left. Combining Harbour Island with Eleuthera is easy, since the islands are a short water taxi apart. A few nights at The Cove Eleuthera or a beach cottage on the main island gives you a contrast between Harbour Island's polish and Eleuthera's empty beaches.
Is It Worth It?
Pink Sands is one of Harbour Island's most expensive resorts. Expect garden cottages to start at roughly USD 800 to 1,000 a night for two, room only, with oceanfront cottages and pool villas costing considerably more. Treat these figures as approximate and look for offers, since the resort often runs discounts for longer stays.
You get a beautiful garden setting, stylish cottages, a strong restaurant and the island's famous beach right in front. For couples who want privacy and a pool option, it is worth the splurge. Pick elsewhere if you want to walk to town for dinner every night or prefer a smaller boutique hotel. The Dunmore is a classic alternative on the same beach, while The Rock House in Dunmore Town puts restaurants on your doorstep.
Insider tips
- Book the Oceanfront Cottage with Pool for the best combination of beach and privacy.
- Reserve Malcolm 51 dinners in advance during high season.
- Ask about long-stay offers, which can include discounts and resort credit.
- Rent a golf cart for at least part of your stay to explore Dunmore Town.
