Start With the Kind of Trip You Are Taking
A romantic week, a family reunion, and a multi-generation holiday need different houses. Count beds only after you understand the rhythm of the group: who wakes early, who cooks, who needs shade, who wants privacy, and who will want the beach to be visible from breakfast.
For larger parties, avoid houses that simply add beds. Look for separate sleeping zones, multiple bathrooms, and outdoor rooms that let people drift apart without leaving the property. Woodstar works this way: a main house, a cottage, pool, cabana, and beach edge within one private acre.
Look Closely at the Beach
In Exuma, beachfront can mean many things. Some homes sit on dramatic water that is hard to swim. Others have sand but little privacy. The best rental for a slow week has easy water, soft access, useful shade, and enough distance from neighbours that the beach still feels like a place to exhale.
Ask what the water is like for children, whether there is reef nearby, how exposed the shore is to wind, and whether the beach is public in practice even when the house looks private in photographs.
Prioritize the Kitchen and First-Day Practicalities
A beautiful house is easier to enjoy when it works. A serious kitchen matters, even when you plan to book a chef, because breakfasts, beach lunches, and late suppers still happen at home. Ask about refrigeration, ice, coffee, cookware, and whether groceries can be pre-stocked before arrival.
On Little Exuma, supplies can be limited and shopping is part of the island rhythm. That can be charming on day three and irritating on day one. A pre-stocked pantry is not a luxury flourish; it is a smoother landing.
Read Reviews for Specifics, Not Superlatives
The useful reviews are not the loud ones. Look for details: how quickly hosts replied, whether the location felt as described, whether the kitchen worked for a group, whether the beach was swimmable, and whether the house felt maintained.
A guest saying 'paradise' is lovely. A guest explaining that three generations had privacy, the children stayed in the bay all day, and the caretaker answered immediately is more useful.
Make the Booking Process Plain
Before sending a deposit, understand the payment schedule, cancellation terms, hurricane policy, extra services, chef pricing, car hire, boat charters, taxes, and any cleaning or utility fees. The best rentals make this clear before the invoice arrives.
A good Exuma house should leave you with a simple feeling: you know where you are sleeping, how you are arriving, who to call, what is included, and what can be arranged once the week begins.