Massages, Cabanas and Flamingo Yoga Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg at the Stunning SLS Baha Mar

This isn't to say that there isn't fun to be had—I'm talking a casino, a jazz club, bustling nightlife...a freaking water park! I just personally prefer a little R&R—and I was able to get plenty of it thanks to a stellar spa, an exclusive beach club, a gorgeous suite, tasty cocktails and, of course, flamingo yoga (more on that in a minute).

Here, my full review of the SLS Baha Mar in Nassau—and why it's the perfect Caribbean destination.

First of all, my oceanview suite was a stunner to be sure. As I mentioned, the rooms are newly redesigned, and they are giving chic, playful Bahamian vibes. The art and decor immediately put me in the vacation mood with palm trees and pastels.

My room featured a full, spacious kitchen, a large living room with a super comfy sofa, a huge balcony where I could sit and stare out at the blue water and a big bedroom with a bed that actually helped me fall asleep at night (a rarity for me).

Perhaps the best part? That balcony I mentioned. My views were unbelievable. I spent more than one evening sitting out on the balcony, sipping on Champagne and watching the cruise ships depart in the distance. (I'm starting to relax right now just thinking about it again...)

The amenities are aplenty and exceptional.

I started each morning by visiting the state-of-the art fitness center (an even bigger, even more state-of-the-art fitness center is coming soon, so I guess I'll have to make a trip back). While not everyone would put a workout in the "relaxation" category, I would. It set me up for my full SLS wellness experience.

Another must-visit? Next door to the fitness center is the full-service ESPA Spa. I opted for a killer massage where my therapist thoroughly worked through my knots (of which there were many) with just the right amout of pressure. The facilities at ESPA are quite luxe and I probably could have spent the entire day relaxing in the spa lounge in my robe.

As I mentioned, there is a water park that looked super fun. But since I was seeking a different kind of vacation, I instead headed next door to the Baha Bay Beach Club, which turned out to be my favorite part of the whole resort.

I spent two full afternoons lounging in a beach club cabana (though the beach club lounge chairs offer an almost equally exclusive experience). I sat, I slept, I sipped on frozen drinks (is it even a vacation if I don't have at least one Miami Vice?!). The waitstaff was beyond friendly and made sure my every need or want was attended to. I even enjoyed a delicious lunch of tacos from Baha Bay's 25 Degrees North while I stared out at the ocean. This, plus my trip to the spa, made me feel pampered and truly at ease.

When it comes to food and drink, Baha Mar features many options—so many, in fact, that there wasn't even time to try them all.

A few highlights? Monkey Bar is a lively stop in the SLS lobby, featuring friendly bartenders, upbeat music and plenty of opportunities to strike up a convo with a stranger. Allow me to recommend one of the bar's signature margaritas (you won't be disappointed).

Another fun stop is Jon Batiste's Jazz Bar. The live band is out-of-this-world talented. In fact, within ten minutes of my arrival, the vacationers around me started forming a conga line and dancing around the jazz bar (as fun as it looked, I stayed seated and "conga-ed" from my booth as I sipped my expertly made old fashioned).

Also, definitely hit up the rooftop bar and lounge, Skybar. The 360-degree views are stellar and the craft cocktails are delicious. I even took part in a mixology class at Skybar led by "Mr. Mix Bahamas." I was able to create a tasty drink all by myself (though I'm confident Mr. Mix could do it even better).

Needless to say, I was a fan of the cocktails at Baha Mar (and they helped put me in vacation mode), but the food was equally laudable.

Cleo was great for dinner, offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes from award-winning chef Danny Elmaleh. I also popped into Cleo each morning after my workout for a top-notch breakfast buffet.

May I also recommend Carna, Baha Mar's unbelievably good steakhouse. As a New Yorker, I've eaten at steakhouses by some of the world's top chefs—and this one ranks among them easily. And after my mouth-watering filet paired with pinot noir, I was ready to head back up to my room for a coma-like sleep.

Finally, if you really want an impressive dining experience, take in some Japanese cuisine at Baha Mar's Katsuya. I'm talking sashimi and crispy rice with spicy tuna with a carafe of cold sake on the side. *Chef's kiss*

And to complete my relaxation and wellness journey, I obviously had to try my hand at flamingo yoga. Y'all. This is a must.

The flamingos are adorable, friendly and yoga experts in their own right. I fully enjoyed my outdoor yoga session as two of the resort's flamingos walked around me. At one point, one of them even joined me on my yoga mat (yes, this was a bit distracting from the yoga class, but TBH I was there for the flamingos not for Warrior I).

I even posed with the pair after the session (and yes, all of my friends at home who saw the pictures were jealous).

In case you couldn't tell, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the SLS Baha Mar. I wish I could have stayed even longer. But after leaving in such a relaxed and zen-like place, I know that I'll be visiting again.