The Unexpected Bahamas Trip You Need To Take
Two resorts, two entirely different energies, and one perfectly balanced (and luxurious) Bahamas escape. From the hushed, historic elegance of the Ocean Club to the vibrant, indulgent buzz of Rosewood Baha Mar, this itinerary proves just how much range Paradise Island has to offer. It's not all water slides! Image: Christian Horan
The Bahamas’s Nassau and Paradise Island mean something very specific to most people: Atlantis, water slides, spectacle, scale. Before I reconnected with this locale, I had lingering thoughts of the hair braids and dolphin swims of my awkward tween days.
And yet, tucked quietly on the same sliver of land are two sublimely luxurious resorts that feel like they belong to an entirely different world — and to my more mature, travel-conscious self. Time is precious, so why schlep far for mediocre stays when you could get somewhere fast that you never want to leave? This island is waiting to surprise you, as it did me.
On this four-night trip, I hotel-hopped — a travel trend we’ll see more of this year — and did two nights at The Four Seasons Ocean Club and two at Rosewood Baha Mar. Each offered its own distinct dining, excursions, and amenities, but they came together to create an unexpectedly delightful winter getaway that’s easily accessible from the South. The Nassau airport is a breeze to get in and out of, and you clear U.S. customs and immigration there on the way back.
The Jungly and Boutique Ocean Club by The Four Seasons
I left Nashville at 7 a.m. on a freezing November Sunday. After a quick layover in Orlando and a 20-minute airport shuttle, I was sitting wedged between an infinity pool and the turquoise ocean in 80-degree sunshine, ordering an ahi tuna bowl and a mezcal margarita. I met couples, young families, and long-time resort-goers from the East Coast, and they all said the same thing: this is a hidden tropical gem that’s much easier to access than many realize.
Staying at The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons resort, required an immediate reset of expectations. This is not a vertical, high-rise property built to impress with size. It’s boutique and sprawling, unfolding horizontally across 35 lush acres with just over 100 rooms. There’s a reason savvy travelers seek out Four Seasons properties worldwide: the service, the bedding, and the provisions are unmatched.
The resort first opened in the early 1960s as a glamorous, private escape envisioned by Huntington Hartford II, who imagined Paradise Island as a jet-set alternative to the French Riviera, only closer to home. From the beginning, it has attracted artists, aristocrats, and celebrities who sought elegance without fuss. That legacy still hums beneath the surface today, especially under Four Seasons’ stewardship, which has preserved the soul of the property while elevating every modern detail.
I’m reminded of that lineage almost immediately, noticing dozens of mismatched framed photos that casually chronicle the resort’s cultural footprint. Cindy Crawford’s wedding, The Beatles filming on property, and the enduring James Bond legacy. This is where the Vesper martini entered pop culture, immortalized by Casino Royale, which was filmed there and forever tied the resort to Daniel Craig’s Bond.
But the Ocean Club isn’t stuck in the past. If anything, it feels remarkably current, especially in its intersection with fashion, art, and design. Local expat artist Jane Waterous’s spectacular three-dimensional puff-paint creations adorn the walls, as do her son’s artworks. It’s a true feast for the senses, from the famous martini flights to the candy-colored sunsets, to the spiny local lobster I ordered twice.
What makes the Ocean Club so compelling, though, is how much there is to do and how little pressure there is to do any of it. You can move constantly or not at all. There’s a hidden, lagoon-style kids’ pool, an outdoor “jungle gym” set beneath palms, a fully stocked indoor fitness center, and one of the most impressive tennis programs you’ll find on the island. The spa is small and tranquil, with treatment rooms nestled into outdoor alcoves.
DUNE, the hotel’s signature oceanfront restaurant, is led by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and offers a menu that balances Italian and seafood-forward elements, perfectly suited to the setting. And his molten chocolate lava cake is non-negotiable. Poolside menus shine just as brightly, offering fresh salads, bowls, fish tacos, and smoothies.
Families are quietly well-supported here, too. Babysitters can be arranged, there’s a kids’ camp during the day, and — perhaps the biggest unadvertised perk — Ocean Club guests have full access to Atlantis’ waterpark, with transportation included. It’s this duality that makes Paradise Island unique: total pampered serenity when you want it, and full-scale adventure when you get the urge.
I ventured off property once to visit the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, an impressively diverse collection showcasing powerful contemporary Bahamian art inside a restored historic villa. It’s an easy and enriching stop, and many choose to pair this with a visit to nearby Graycliff, one of the world’s largest private wine cellars, which holds upwards of 250,000 bottles valued at more than $20 million.
All-Day, All-Night Fun at Rosewood Baha Mar
After two quietly indulgent nights at the Ocean Club, I shifted gears for the second half of my trip and pulled up to the Rosewood: a refined retreat set within the larger Baha Mar ecosystem. With access to an impressive lineup of restaurants, bars, and experiences all within walking distance, this stop is for the epicures, the ones who love to “put it all on red,” and the dance-floor magnets.
Upon walking through the giant open-air lobby, my gaze was immediately drawn … everywhere. While groups of golfers unwound in the warm, wooded Manor Bar, I poured from a pot of famous Bahamian tea and picked at delectable finger sandwiches at afternoon tea in the pastel-floral library.
Night one, I dined at Costa, set dramatically over koi-filled water in a series of dreamy little huts that feel as if they’re floating. The Mexican, seafood-forward menu felt vibrant and fresh, and the atmosphere was rivaled only by that of Chef Daniel Boulud’s nearby French restaurant, where I indulged the following night. Café Boulud delivered a completely different mood. Exceptional steaks, steamy seafood pastas, and glamorous interiors.
Between meals, Rosewood and Baha Mar offer no shortage of ways to unwind or stay active. There are multiple pools scattered throughout the property, along with a massive tucked-away hot tub that feels like a secret oasis. The spa deserves all the stars: the massage I had there was genuinely one of the best of my life.
You can kayak, paddleboard, snorkel, and explore the surrounding waters, but the most unforgettable experience by far was my boat excursion: The Ocean Guardian Experience. Offered just once a month, this immersive, expert-led half-day outing takes you to a few snorkel stops (with a gourmet picnic lunch) to learn about marine conservation. It’s so incredible, people travel from around the world for it. Educational, moving, and breathtaking all at once, it was the clear highlight of my trip.
If the Ocean Club is about stillness and legacy, Rosewood is about variety, vibrancy, and indulgence —and together, they make a surprisingly perfect pairing. Beyond the hotel you choose, there is so much to see, eat, and do on Paradise Island, whether you come for the Junkanoo festival, a group golf trip, or a long romantic weekend to reconnect. Take the trip. You’re a direct flight or an easy connection away from this unexpected gem of the Caribbean.
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Zoe Yarborough
Zoe is a StyleBlueprint staff writer, Charlotte native, Washington & Lee graduate, and Nashville transplant of eleven years. She teaches Pilates, helps manage recording artists, and likes to "research" Germantown's food scene.