The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas

This sophisticated resort became One&Only Ocean Club in 2002, followed by The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort in 2017, but its history goes further back. Huntington Hartford II (the late A&P heir, and the man responsible for changing the island's name from Hog Island to Paradise Island) bought the property in 1962 to create a 52-room hotel and golf course -- Ocean Club. The swanky property attracted members of royalty, and notable names like Zsa Zsa Gabor and William Randolph Hearst. Mr. Huntington is also the man behind the extraordinary Versailles-inspired garden; he even imported marble statues from Europe, including a 12th-century cloister, which had to be taken apart and shipped from France.
It has evolved into a contemporary luxury oasis, though certain areas of the property retain a traditional style -- a quiet reminder of days past and the old money that came with it. The hotel successfully blends these classic influences with modern, sophisticated decor; it's not surprising that the opening scenes of Casino Royale were shot here (James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, stayed here for a romantic interlude). This fun movie fact is a point of pride for Paradise Island.
Upon arrival, guests will pass through a well-guarded security gate before reaching a circular driveway for valet parking. Porters welcome guests and lead them towards the doors of the plantation-style home that serves as the lobby. Check-in takes place while sitting down with one of the receptionists. Modern art adds to a cheerful ambience, and a seating area with books and a grand piano overlooks the ocean. The Library Lounge serves free coffee and tea in the mornings, and in the afternoons, guests stop in for wine, cocktails, and snacks.
From here, guests will walk to their room in either direction -- the Crescent and Hartford wings sit on either side of this hub (the Crescent Wing in five two-story buildings, and the Hartford Wing in a single building with an interior courtyard). With only 105 rooms, the property never feels crowded, and guests will find plenty of space at the beach, the three pools, and the golf course. There's definitely an elegant, moneyed air, but it's not a super-exclusive environment -- partly because the ocean-facing Dune restaurant and bar is open to the public and Atlantis guests. It’s worth mentioning that some past guests have complained of underwhelming service and little interaction with the butlers.
Ocean Club Bahamas was not damaged by Hurricane Dorian, which severely impacted parts of the Bahamas in late-summer 2019.

The Ocean Club Bahamas is located along a beautiful beach on Paradise Island, and accessed via a gated driveway. To get here, guests arrive from the airport either by private car hire, rental car, or taxi. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on time of day (traffic can get bad through downtown Nassau) and it costs $2 to cross the bridge to this side. The Atlantis Resort is in clear view while crossing this bridge, but The Ocean Club is hidden away on a less crowded area of beach, though Jet Skis can still be heard in the distance. Cabbage Beach is open to the public, but rarely does anyone not staying at the resort make it down this far, which means it is easy to find seclusion on the white sand.
Golfers have quick access to the 18-hole Paradise Island Golf Course next to the property. There's also a free and regular shuttle service that delivers guests to the main areas of Atlantis for the casino, Aquaventure, and dining options. It's also a 14-minute walk to get to Marina Village.

The Ocean Club Bahamas has 105 rooms and suites that are spread out over expansive grounds. The Crescent Wing Rooms are housed in five two-story buildings, and each has a furnished balcony that faces the ocean. They have contemporary decor and spacious marble bathrooms with big jetted tubs and separate walk-in steam showers. Beachfront Suites have separate living and dining rooms.
The Hartford Wing is a single two-story, plantation-style building with an interior courtyard, located right next to the lobby. This is the original Ocean Club from 1962, but after a 2015 renovation, Hartford Wing Rooms are even more modern than their Crescent Wing counterparts, even though the Crescent Wing buildings are newer. Hartford Wing offers Ocean and Garden View Rooms, as well as two- and three-bedroom ocean-facing suites.
All rooms have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, iHome docking stations, and gourmet minibars. Upon arrival, guests receive a welcome drink and fruit selection, and every afternoon, there's a daily turndown service with Champagne and strawberries. Other amenities included in the price are hotel-branded beach bags, caps, and golf shirts; newspaper delivery; and transportation to Atlantis and the golf course. Bathrobes and slippers, hairdryers, and upscale toiletries are also provided.
For those with serious cash to spend, the hotel also offers two-bedroom garden cottages with private courtyards and plunge pools, as well as spectacular three- and four-bedroom villas, freestanding homes overlooking the ocean.

Highlights at The Ocean Club Bahamas are the three outdoor pools -- one within the beautiful Versailles-inspired gardens (ages 14 and older), a family-friendly pool with a small snack bar, and a 2015-built infinity pool overlooking the ocean. Additionally, the seemingly endless stretch of Cabbage Beach is easy to access from the resort. It is open to the public, but only guests are allowed to use the cushioned lounge chairs. Drinks and lunch service are available.
The Balinese-style spa has eight treatment villas with teak massage tables. Each villa has a private garden area with outdoor jetted tubs and day beds where guests can sip Japanese tea and relax. An extensive treatment menu covers massages, facials, and body wraps, as well as nail services.
Active-minded travelers will find plenty to do here as well. There are six Har-Tru tennis courts available for day and night use (with floodlights). The courts are free to use, and the hotel provides racquets for no extra charge. Private tennis lessons are available for a fee. The fitness center is next to the main pool, and has and indoor and outdoor sections and rooms for stretching and Pilates, cardio, and circuit training. Free yoga classes are held on a yoga deck that overlooks the ocean; private sessions are available for a fee. Free bicycle rentals are available as well.
The Kids For All Seasons kids’ club is a free program for children ages 4 to 12. It has a staff of certified counselors to help lead activities such as arts and crafts.
Golfers do not have to travel far to get to the adjacent 18-hole Paradise Island Golf Club, a championship golf course that the hotel provides free SUV rides to and from. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, the course is located on a peninsula with great views of the ocean, and it has a pro shop on-site. A free and regular shuttle to Atlantis delivers guests to key areas of the resort for use of the casino, shops, restaurants, and bars. Families with kids can take advantage of Aquaventure highlights and the marine habitats.

Free bottled water, coffee, arrival fruit, and Champagne and strawberries delivered to the rooms daily may help assuage the high prices of The Ocean Club's quality food and beverage options. The most notable restaurant is Dune by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten (his first restaurant venture in the Caribbean) which has an open kitchen, an exquisite French-Asian menu that incorporates Caribbean ingredients and herbs from the resort's organic garden, and sensational views of the ocean. There is a bright and spacious sunset-facing bar, and indoor and outdoor dining areas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Unfortunately, it’s the only dinner option available on-site.
Ocean Grill opened alongside the oceanfront infinity pool in 2015. Ocean Grill offers light bites, like guacamole and conch ceviche, as well as tacos, grilled mains, and sweet treats in the afternoon. The Pool Terrace Cafe is next to the main pool. It opens for drinks during the day (expect a large rum selection) and continues into the early evening, and there are tables for lunch service. The Library Lounge is in the lobby and offers afternoon tea, cocktails and views of the sea. The Clubhouse is a part of the golf course and serves breakfast, lunch and drinks both indoors and outdoors. Free Friday wine hours are offered.
Room service is available 24/7.