How Natajia Miller Is Redefining Hospitality In The Bahamas

Embrace Resort, a beautiful getaway in Staniel Cay, Exuma in the Bahamas, is a Black woman-owned property welcoming visitors for fun and healing stays. The driving force behind this boutique property is Natajia Miller, a powerhouse entrepreneur carrying the dreams of three generations.

“I’m an all-hats type of girl,” Natajia said. “I’m HR, I’m accounting, I’m PR. But what I really am is committed. Because I know what it took to get us here.”

More than a tropical retreat, Embrace tells the story of perseverance. The vision began with Natajia’s grandmother, Nelly, whose belief in her daughter sparked the family’s first concierge company. Then came Nicole, Natajia’s mother, who expanded the business and set her sights on building something more. Currently Natajia, who brings her experience in hospitality from around the world to Embrace, is at the helm. These days, the resort stands as a luxury destination and the largest local employer on the island. But it wasn’t an easy journey.

When Natajia’s mother began the effort to build Embrace, every bank in the Bahamas turned her down for a loan. While they had the land to build a resort, it wasn’t ideally located according to lenders. Not only that, but friends and family weren’t always supportive either. Natajia’s mother often had to fight through a mixed bag of love and skepticism in the early days to bring Embrace to life.

Nicole was determined though. Without funding to do it all at once, she put away portions of the profits from the concierge business to slowly pay for building the resort.

“She would rent a golf cart today, put 50 bucks aside. Send somebody on a boat tour, and take some of the commission from that,” Natajia said. “My mother brought the resort to life, villa by villa over the past decade.

Nelly’s belief, Nicole’s resilience, and Natajia’s efforts to keep the resort afloat during COVID have paid off. Today, travelers recognize Embrace Resort as one of the top hotels in the Exuma Cays thanks to its focus on personalized service. 

“Every time a guest says their stay here is magical, I know it’s not just about me. It’s about the legacy,” Natajia said.

At Embrace, a main focus is on the intersection of hospitality and cultural homage. For example, each villa is named after and styled in the spirit of a Bahamian island. Eleuthera’s villa is filled with pineapple accents, Bimini’s is deep-sea blue with fishing motifs, and Andros, the Bahamas’ largest island, is reflected in Embrace’s largest three-bedroom space. The name “Embrace” itself is even a nod to the entire archipelago, with each letter representing a different island’s name.

“We want guests to feel the Bahamas in every detail,” Natajia said.

With her global experience, Natajia brings a hospitality pedigree not often found in the casual islands’ experience. She left the Bahamas to pursue her degree in the United States before traveling further overseas to work in various hotels and hospitality settings, including luxury spots in China and Dubai. These experiences inspire what Natajia wants Embrace to offer its guests.

“We offer a Dubai-level experience with the heart of a local touch,” Natajia said.

That means recognizing that each guest chose this resort as the backdrop for something special, be it rest or celebration. Whether you are using their concierge company, 3Ns, to book a tour to swim with the infamous pigs or planning a proposal for the ages, Natajia and her team are there to help.

One of the most sought-after experiences at Embrace Resort is its signature wellness retreats. Some of their upcoming offerings include daily tea ceremonies, juicing workshops, walking meditations to identify wild island herbs and plants, and even cooking cassava curry on the beach. No matter the reason for the visit, Natajia’s goal is to have people leave feeling connected and joyful. 

Natajia’s journey is about more than hospitality, though. It’s about building a legacy. Because of the way her mother was told “no” at the start of this journey, Natajia is determined to become the kind of investor they once needed. They now invest in other people on the island, specifically focusing on helping other women. 

“We’ve helped other entrepreneurs on the island, paid for scholarships, funded small businesses, covered startup costs. Not for PR, but because we want to support our community,” Natajia said. “We are on a mission to help young entrepreneurs walk in their gifts and push through their challenges because we know what it’s like to have the dream and not have the money.”

Never one to rest on her laurels, Natajia is also preparing to launch the first floating bar in the Exuma Keys, a fun new way to experience the islands. It’s unsurprisingly in line with her family’s history. They are always dreaming of what’s possible and expanding what’s offered.

Embrace Resort is not only beautiful, it’s proof that you can start with something small and watch it grow with the right mixture of entrepreneurial grit and self-trust.