Historic Nassau Hotel Restored to Glory
After a $50 million transformation, the Grand Dame of Nassau is once again on the throne. Built by oil magnate Henry Flagler in 1900, the original wooden structure, the Hotel Colonial, welcomed wealthy tourists arriving by steamship to winter in paradise. Flagler is known for his luxurious lodgings, including the famed Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach.
The Hotel Colonial was destroyed by fire in 1922. The Bahamian government acquired the property from Flagler and contracted Munson Steamship Lines to build the New Colonial Hotel, which opened in 1923. Although the hotel changed hands over the years, its inherent charm remained, making it the oldest operating resort in Nassau.
Kirsten Harrington 