Nassau-Paradise Island has no shortage of great places for visitors to stay – from small to (very) big, and ancient to all-new. Yesterday we examined four of note – Atlantis, Baha Mar, British Colonial, and Margaritaville. Here we round out our Great 8 accommodation options in the Bahamian capital with four more marvellous mainstays: Four Seasons, Goldwynn, Graycliff, and Sandals.
(Ed note: If you missed it, see the “related link” at the end of this article to find the first part of the feature).
The Ocean Club, Four Seasons – Luxury personified
Considered the most luxurious property in Nassau-Paradise Island, The Ocean Club, Four Seasons has 107 rooms ranging from entry level to four-bedroom Balinese-style villas set on 14 verdant hectares that includes Versailles-inspired tiered gardens with 12-century cloister, as well as eight kilometres of spectacular white sand beach.
Located on Paradise Island, a short drive from Atlantis, the former One & Only (prior to 2017) has been a playground for celebrities since 1962 and even boasts a James Bond connection (Daniel Craig’s character stayed there in Casino Royale).
Meanwhile, the Dune Bar, overlooking the ocean, is one of the most iconic watering holes in the destination.
The Bahamas Spa is similarly renowned, offering centuries-old Asian traditions in a setting with cascading waterfalls and private open-air gardens.
Graycliff – Small is beautiful
Along with the British Colonial, the tiny (16-room) Graycliff is another grand dame of Nassau, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024 under current (family) ownership, though notably the property dates to 1844 as Nassau’s first inn.
Located in downtown, the lodging is a labour of love for owner Enrico Garzaroli, who purchased the colonial mansion in 1973. The property is a landmark listed in The Bahamas’ National Register of Historic Places, boasting a colourful history that includes pirates, the American Navy, royalty, Winston Churchill and Al Capone.
Today the five-star retreat is well known for elegant grand suites (see photo above), private courtyard swimming pool, and its renowned restaurant (open to all), which features continental cuisine with a Bahamian flair served by knowledgeable staff, some of whom have been there for decades.
Remarkably, the Graycliff boasts one of the world’s foremost private collections of wines (270,000 bottles, including a 1727 bottle of Rudesheimer Apostelwein – oldest in the world – worth US$200,000) and whiskeys, winning a host of accolades, including the World of Fine Wine’s 3-Star Award (its highest honour) annually since 2014.
The outsized inn is also home to the Graycliff Cigar Company, producing handmade cigars created from the best tobaccos in the world; Graycliff Chocolatier, where guests can make their own gourmet treats; and Bahama Barrel by Graycliff, a winery where guests can taste and blend their own wines. Graycliff even has its own coffee brand.
Other ongoing activities at the inn include food and wine pairings, “lobster and bubbles,” and jazz night in the lounge. The hotel’s Roberta Garzaroli notes that everything, including day passes for cruise passengers, is commissionable for travel advisors (best booked through a tour operator or Viator).
Sandals Royal Bahamian – All-inclusive favourite
Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the company, the 400-plus room Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort completed a US$55-million renovation in January, presenting a fresh look designed to reflect the easy-going spirit of the Bahamas and thoughtfully entwine its experiential touchpoints – from the pastel pink of the flamingo to the vibes of traditional Junkanoo.
Situated on six sprawling hectares, and featuring its own offshore island, the elegant all-inclusive features two large pools, club level and swim-up butler suites, two white sand beaches, and offers guests VIP airport transfers in a Rolls-Royce or Mercedes-Benz for butler guests.
The new Island Village, comprised of standalone villas named after remote Bahamian cays, are representative of the provincial Bahamas – a compilation of the destination’s quintessential pinks, blues, and white accents, with shiplap, striped awnings, and additional touches that create a chic, yet relaxed ambiance. Butler Villa Suites each house private pools and outdoor tranquility soaking tubs.
Thirteen 13 fresh restaurant concepts range from Pan-Caribbean cuisine to Italian, sushi, and steak and seafood at Butch’s Island Chop House.
Meanwhile, Coconut Grove – a destination of its own within the resort – includes a lush and expansive beachfront lounge shaded by coconut palms, while also serving as a home base for the new food trucks, plus music and entertainment, which last late into the evening.
Goldwyn – Canadian connection
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Canadian-owned Goldwynn Resort & Residences opened in 2023 on a pristine stretch of Cable Beach with 81 studios, and one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites.
An “intimate, modern retreat that stands in contrast to the large resorts of Nassau and departs from the traditional beachside aesthetic,” the resort similarly offers a nod to “the seaside travel of yesteryear combined with the best in today’s luxury travel.”
Amenities include studios and suites with full kitchens or kitchenettes; signature restaurant, OIA; art installations, including a five-storey indoor sculpture; and spa. Golf-view suites give views of the adjacent course, Royal Blue.
A “manageable” alternative to giant Atlantis and Baha Mar, the Goldwynn is “stunning, it’s very, very special,” says Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) CEO Joy Jibrilu. “They’ve done so well already, they’re into expansion right next door to it. It’s completely different. And everyone who goes there enjoys the experience.”
The resort is located 15 km. from the airport and 10 from downtown Nassau.
RELATED ARTICLE: EIGHT GREAT HOTELS IN NASSAU-PARADISE ISLAND
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