T&C Travel Guide: Nassau and Paradise Island
While the Bahamas is comprised of over 700 islands and cays in total, Nassau and Paradise Island alone are enough to fill an upscale itinerary for both the stationary and the adventurous. Here's a guide to the best of both.
WHERE TO STAY
Once you’ve touched down in Nassau, either hop in a cab or a private transfer with the resort’s chauffeur (which can be arranged in advance). The ride to Paradise Island is approximately 40 minutes, and there’s no shortage of beach views, palm trees, or colorful clusters of buildings along the way. Before you know it, you’ll have reached the gates of One&Only Ocean Club, and chances are you won’t want or need to leave, although there’s plenty to see and do should you change your mind.
This intimate 30-room hotel is perfect for those who prefer a boutique feel. A mélange of guest rooms, cottages, and apartments make up the accommodation side of the posh hideaway, and with two stunning restaurants, a café, a cinema, and a holistic spa, the Island House is a testament to the many facets of luxury Nassau has to offer.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Dune By Jean-Georges Vongerichten
It’s only fitting that a destination like One&Only should have a culinary name as esteemed as the caliber of the resort itself. Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Jean-Georges, the Mark, ABC Kitchen and Cocina, Matador Room, and Perry Street, among others) is behind the elevated beach vibes served at Dune, a waterfront bar and restaurant boasting a semi-open kitchen and French-Asian fare. The restaurant serves three meals a day, and the Bahamian breakfast buffet from 7 to 11 a.m. is not to be missed.
For a menu highlighting the local seafaring bounty, head to Mahogany House, which is located inside The Island House hotel. Or, if you're in the mood for Asian cuisine, check out the equally delicious Shima on the top floor of the hotel instead.
Graycliff is among Nassau’s most widely recognized and celebrated names, and with good reason: the colonial mansion-turned-hotel in which the restaurant sits is a sight to behold inside and out. Graycliff Restaurant also happens to be the island’s first five-star restaurant - block off an entire afternoon or evening to experience the outstanding Bahamian cuisine sandwiched between a cigar rolling demonstration and a chocolatier tour.
The Martini Bar, located inside the One&Only's cozy Library Lounge just past the lobby, might look familiar: it made a brief cameo in Casino Royale. Order the house specialty, a 50/50 Lillet Martini.
Café Matisse, located just off of Bay Street in Downtown Nassau, has been favored by locals since its opening in 1996. The menu, which changes approximately every six months, is always Italian-inspired and best when enjoyed on the lush veranda.
Nobu fans will feel right at home at the Coral Towers outpost of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s eponymous Japanese restaurant family, situated beyond an illuminated archway at Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. Ask to visit the hidden sake cellar.
Contemporary cuisine meets traditional methods at Lukka Kairi, a nod to Bahamian culture in elevated dining form. The restaurant overlooks the historic harbor and is located in Downtown Nassau between the Straw Market and Pompey Square - ideal for a post-lunch or dinner stroll.
Jean-Georges makes yet another appearance, this time as an expression of French-Thai influences in his reimagining of the historic Café Martinique, which also made a cameo in a James Bond film.
WHERE TO SHOP
Located just next to Atlantis, Marina Village is made up of 20-plus shops including various jewelry boutiques, duty free, and Tortuga Rum Cakes (a must).
Also housed within Atlantis, the Crystal Court Shops feature luxury brands like Versace, David Yurman, Gucci, and Chopard, to name a few.
While a bit on the casual side, Bay Street’s Straw Market captures Nassau’s island spirit through handmade trinkets and souvenirs worth the extra checked bag on the way home.
WHAT TO DO
The spa at One&Only is a quiet cluster of ivy-clad bungalows offering a wide variety of services inspired by ancient Asian tradition and influenced by Bahamian culture. While its villas are about as serene as one could hope for, you can also opt to have your massage or treatment in the comfort of your room or in an oceanfront cabana.
Seaplane Charters at the Cove Atlantis
From sustainable fishing in Bimini and culinary excursions to art-focused mini-getaways, the brand new seaplane dock at the Cove Atlantis on Paradise Island offers uniquely designed private day trips to guests who wish to explore the outer islands.
As a Bahamian dining and drinking institution, Sip Sip on Harbour Island has won the hearts of bold-faced names like Eric Ripert, Robert de Niro, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Elle Macpherson, among many others over the past fifty years. This November, owner (and renowned chef) Julie Lightbourn will open a new outpost at the Cove Atlantis on Paradise Island, which many are looking forward to for the one-of-a-kind Lulu DK-designed poolside cabanas in addition to the iconic Sip Sip take on local fare.
Private Tennis Lesson or Golf Outing
Get your fill of athleticism with a private lesson under the instruction of the One&Only resort’s resident tennis trainers, or spend the day golfing on a 7,100-yard, Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole green while trying not to be distracted by the stretches of ocean surrounding the course.
Underwater Activities
No trip to Nassau would be complete without at least one underwater experience. Ask your hotel concierge to arrange for a private dive or snorkeling trip; you can also inquire about chartering personal submarines (no diving experience necessary).
You’ll likely notice the striking art on the walls of One&Only Ocean Club’s entrance, and should you find yourself taken by one of the installments, you can request a personal meeting with the artist herself, Jane Waterous, whose nearby home doubles as a gallery.
No trip to the Bahamas would be complete without a rum tasting, and John Watling’s Distillery does not disappoint. The tours of the newly (and masterfully) renovated historic estate last about 10 to 15 minutes and culminate in a visit to the shop followed by an optional tasting or cocktail break.
One&Only Ocean Club hosts yoga each morning at 8am sharp on the sunny beach deck near the New Ocean Pool. Private appointments can also be arranged at an additional fee.
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