This resort is set on a 5 mile stretch of natural, white sand beach on Paradise Island. It is a great Multi-generational property where you are always greeted with a smile!
By Natalie Heintz
Editor’s Note:
Another mode of travel, namely cruising will also be back this summer. There is some speculation within the trade that July will see the beginning of itineraries out of USA ports, BUT in the meantime more cruise lines have announced sailings out of Bermuda, Nassau, St Maarten to name a few! If the high seas are calling you, Click Here to connect and we can find something for you that’s not too far away….
The Ocean Club opened its doors in 1962, and although it hasn’t always been a Four Seasons property, it has always been a playground for celebrities and discerning travelers. This place has a charm that is hard to put into words.
As we arrived at the property, we pulled up to the entrance and were asked to show our negative COVID tests as well as a temperature check. Immediately seeing how serious the resort was taking the safety of its guests.
As we entered into the lobby I could instantly feel the history and culture. With stunning art from a local artist that filled the walls, to photographs of all of the celebrities who have stayed at the Ocean Club over the years (many from the filming of the James Bond movies). I could feel that I was in a place where many people have made great memories!
The Four Seasons took over this property in 2017. They saved what is known as “the Crescent Wing” of the hotel and left it as it was to satisfy the regular travelers who visited the Ocean Club every year. This is known as the quiet and tucked-away section of the resort.
The other wing of the hotel, the Hartford Wing, is a newer more modern vibe that sits beachfront in the middle of all of the action. Although I wasn’t able to get in to see any of these rooms during my site inspection, I was given a very good overview of the fact that they have something for everyone.
The number one thing that makes this property unique is the Versailles Garden and Cloister. This quarter mile long historic garden is a “must see” if you are visiting paradise island. In 1959 Huntington Hartford II, the A&P supermarket heir bought what was then known as Hog Island and renamed it Paradise Island. He hoped to develop the island as a gambling center equal to Monte Carlo and built the Ocean Club Hotel and the adjoining Versailles Garden and Cloister.
This garden is made up of lush multi-terraced landscapes that are very well manicured. It leads all the way up to the southern end of the island overlooking the waters of the Nassau harbor. This garden is filled with many historic statues.
Across the street from the Versailles Garden is a cloister from an Augustinian monastery that was originally built in the 12th –13th centuries in Montrejeau, France. Brought to the United States by American newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst in the 1920s, it was sold to Hartford who had it rebuilt in 1968 on Paradise Island by Castremanne. As a bride to be myself, I must say this would be an absolutely stunning place to say your vows!
The spa has 8 treatment rooms and each one is its own Balinese-style spa villa with a small garden and lounge area to enjoy before or after treatment. These spa villas are surrounded by beautiful, lush tropical greens really giving you the feel of “zen” and relaxation.
As we toured places like the fitness facility or the kids club, it was evident that there was a reassuring attention to safety and cleanliness. Everything was spotless with hand sanitation stations everywhere. Things were also spaced apart nicely to promote social distancing. The property has really done an excellent job at prioritizing the safety of their guests.
After my site inspection I was able to have lunch at Dune with stunning ocean views and enjoyed an absolutely spectacular meal by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges. I highly recommend the Tuna Tartare appetizer! This was one of the best meals I have had in a long time! If you are in Nassau you must put this restaurant on your list of “must have” meals during your stay.
This multi-generational resort is a great place to dip your toes back into traveling after a year of worry and stress! This is a wonderful place to make your next memory!
** Natalie Heintz is Social Media Director and a staff writer for TravelAnne.com. She is a former college athlete who is transitioning from a career in health care to a role in the travel industry. More importantly, Natalie writes like her Dad and gets her love of travel from her Mom.
Editor's Note:
Travel is tricky but not impossible. You need a trusted advisor to guide you along the way.
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