Since it can be a little hard to tell exactly what to expect when you book a place, I’ll run you through the Ocean Club Bahamas resort.
The Ocean Club Bahamas Resort sits on Paradise Island and is an easy 30 minute drive from the Nassau airport. It is not all inclusive but there is more than enough included in your stay. Food and drink are the main items you can expect to pay extra for (although free bottled water is offered everywhere and anywhere) and some tip for your Butlers. As I go through the following things to expect during your stay at the resort, I’ll note what is additional cost.
The Ocean Club Bahamas resort is the premier resort within driving distance from Nassau and your stay will feel luxurious. If you are renting a car and staying at the Club, valet parking is complimentary.
Upon Arrival at the Ocean Club Bahamas
When you first make it to the Ocean Club Bahamas resort they do a great job of making the place seem fabulous. They’ll take your bags and escort you inside their lobby where you can look around or sit while they check in for you. You’ll be offered a cold wet towelette to help cool off from a possibly hot and muggy afternoon. You can find fruit and lemonade in the lobby (complimentary). The resort personnel will bring any paperwork to you and once your room is ready they’ll walk you there. And the personnel will introduce you to your Butler (you’ll likely have two assigned to you during your stay).
There is also a Martini Bar in the lobby where you can find cigars. The lobby includes a small library and a couple of game boards- a wooden monopoly board and chess. And a piano.
Butler
For the Butlers, tips are welcomed. They are quite accommodating and will do anything you ask them to from unpacking your bags, ironing your clothes, drawing your bath for an evening ritual, to a grocery run if you desire. All in perfect cheerfulness. And in the evening they bring champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to your room or milk and cookies for kids (complimentary for either of course). They’ll inquire what time you’d like to have it and if you don’t drink alcohol they’ll substitute apple cider. They are there as much or as little as you desire, available 24 hours throughout your stay.
Shuttle Service From The Ocean Club Bahamas
While I’m talking about the front lobby area, the Ocean Club resort offers free shuttle service basically anywhere on Paradise Island. (If you need transportation from the airport however, you can grab a taxi- just confirm your price before you get into the taxi- or arrange it with the Ocean Club Concierge- I would think additional charge here).
Want to go visit Atlantis for the day? Access to the famous water park and aquariums is complimentary with your stay at the Ocean Club. Simply go to the lobby, tell them you’d like a ride over there and they’ll call their black SUV with a chauffeur for you (or anywhere else you’d like to go on Paradise Island). Available Sunday through Thursday 7:00am to 12:00am and Friday/Saturday 7:00am to 1:00am.
Atlantis Aquaventure
Speaking of Atlantis, I can’t say it was amazing (we didn’t even stay there as long as I thought we would) but it was a fun extra activity and some of the rides were great. Walking around the Atlantis resort had a Vegas feel to it- big and grand. Kinda cool (big and grand is to Atlantis as luxury and remoteness is to the Ocean Club).
Cruise ships offer their passengers day passes so it can get really crowded, depending on the day (No cruise ships on Mondays!) and I’ve heard they can sell out of Aquaventure day passes. Since you aren’t buying a day pass I don’t think you should need to worry about reserving a pass.
Go earlier in the day, around 10:00am. As you walk into the lobby area there is a desk for guest check-in to your left (you can ask around) and they’ll give you a wrist band but you’ll need a picture ID and a room key from the Ocean Club. Keep in mind that swimsuit coverups are proper anywhere you are not at the shore/ beach or around the swimming/water areas (this goes for anywhere on the islands or the resorts) and the Atlantis resort does require it indoors. Towels are complimentary but the food places are extra, in case you are wondering.
When you are ready to return to the Ocean Club, walk back out to the drop off area and let any of the concierge know you would like to return to the Ocean Club and they’ll summon the private shuttle for you.
Ocean Club Bahamas Resort Accommodations
Back to the Ocean Club Bahamas resort. The rooms are delightful and you’ll enjoy staying in the spacious rooms. These rooms have hard floors, designer furniture, and the finest bedding. You can even call the front desk and order a firmer or softer pillow (the “room book” lists what is available).
The Crescent Wing rooms are decorated in dark mahogany furnishings and a traditional Bahamian elegance. The Hartford Wing rooms have a chic beach feel and is more centrally located. The Garden Cottages have a living area with two master bedrooms (each with their own bathroom) and french doors that open to a courtyard with a plunge pool. There are more room options within each of these wings (plus the Villa Residence- see below). They are all luxurious and every room has a patio or balcony. You’ll know upon booking what you’ll be getting. What you see on their website is really what you get.
There are 107 rooms available at the resort so you can have a mostly secluded experience that is quiet and peaceful with very few other people around. And you’ll feel special by the staff instead of taking a number. The buildings only go two stories. This all makes for a very romantic getaway.
Three-Bedroom Villa Residence
If you are fortunate enough to stay in the Villa Residence you can expect these private additions. You’ll have to call to book. The Villa Residence has its own secluded beachfront infinity pool that is remarkable. It’s own private beach access. Indoor dining area for eight. A gated garden courtyard with jetted tub and patio dining.
The grand villa features vaulted ceilings, polished marble floors, full kitchen, and dining areas. Two king and two queen beds (two rollaways included). One guest powder room and three fabulous master bathrooms with tub-sided windows, an indoor/outdoor shower, and private sundeck. (4,445 sq.ft.) all tended by a 24-hour service team.
Crescent Wing Oceanfront Rooms – Specifically
I stayed in the Crescent Wing Oceanfront Room personally so I’ll go into more detail here. The rooms are 550 sq.ft. with dark wood floors, mahogany furnishings with a Bahamian feel. On the far end of the room are big sliding glass doors that can be opened onto a patio (or balcony). You’ll have a beautiful view of a grassy area that looks out onto the ocean. cushioned lounge chairs plus a separate patio table and chairs are provided on the patio and balcony. Big wood louvered doors (doors with shutter slats) also close for privacy.
Bathrooms
Two pocket doors open up to a marble bathroom. The main focal point is a nice, deep tub with tile detail on the wall above. Glass doors on either side- one for the wide shower and the other glass door for the water closet (or lavatory or toilet). The shower is wide, has a low shelf you could sit on, and two shower heads- one from the side that is removable and the other a rain shower straight above. Its nice and high for those who are taller. The very fine Hermes toiletries are provided (body soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion).
There are two separate vanities with open shelving. One vanity includes a nice hair dryer and an additional lighted, two-sided mirror. The two-sided mirror has one side that is magnifying and you can turn the light around the mirror on and off. There are individually packaged Q-tips, cotton swabs, and hand soap with a soap dish. And a drinking glass next to the sinks.
General Room Complementaries
The closet includes white bath robes, individually wrapped bath slippers, a wooden luggage rack or suitcase stand. It has hangers, drawers, and a safe. And you’ll find a shoeshine kit, bug spray, which we never needed, and a nice umbrella. You can request an iron and ironing board if you prefer to have one at hand. (Also see the “Bathrooms” section above if you skipped it to see what complementaries are provided).
A welcoming fruit bowl is brought to your room along with an Ocean Club baseball hat and a nice beach bag for keeping.
Housekeeping comes twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and they provide turndown service. Standard Wi-Fi is available. A large flat-screen T.V. with many channels to choose from. A wet bar includes Dasani water, Fiji water, champagne, other alcohol, candy bars, chips and other snacks, coffee, etc. Beverages are stocked in the mini fridge under the wet bar. A list of the items and prices for the wet bar and mini fridge sits on the bar. The items here are quite pricey. The coffee, espresso and assorted teas are complimentary.
Shoeshine service is complimentary and so is Friday Wine Hour.
In-room dining is available (purchase food from menu in the room). Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available from 8:00am to 4:00 pm and overnight shoeshine service as well (both an additional cost).
Ocean Club Bahamas Policies
Check-in time is 3:00pm and Check-out time is 12:00pm although they are quite accommodating. I got into my room a few hours before 3:00pm. They also offer to store your luggage for you at the front. You can use the lockers and the very nice bathroom and shower facilities at their fitness area if you want to freshen up or change before you are able to get into your room. They make you feel important. The ladies here who managed everything seemed nice and approachable.
The Grounds
The resort sits on 32 acres. The grounds around the resort are immaculate and great care is taken to keep it up. Lush, green foliage is everywhere. Hammocks abound. The crowning feature at the resort is possibly the Versailles Gardens. It has a series of terraced lawns that mirror each other and lead up to The Cloisters. Hand-laid rock ridges extend around the tiers. It ends at the southern edge of Paradise Island where you can see Nassau Harbor.
The Cloisters is a colonnade of large stones. Centuries old, Augustinian monks in France built the original monastery. In the 60’s a wealthy businessman bought the large stone structure and imported it to the US. It was then purchased by Huntington Hartford, the developer of the old Island where it now stands, and had the Cloisters reassembled on its current location in these gardens. It is impressive and beautiful, worth the light stroll. This is also the perfect spot for a wedding venue or private, romantic dinner for two (which you can arrange- see under restaurants).
The Ocean Club Bahamas Resort Has 3 Pools
The Ocean Pool is an infinity pool that sits above the shoreline of the ocean so your views are fantastic. All ages are welcome to enjoy this pool but guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. It is open daily from 9:00am to 6:00pm.
The Versailles Pool is a stunning, crystal clear pool that goes all the way to 11.5 ft deep on the far end. It is an adult only pool, 16 and up. There’s a very tasteful, covered bar and open air restaurant, Versailles Terrace, on one side of the pool, and the gym sits off to the other side. A beautiful double staircase leads you down to the pool and the view is quite stunning as it looks out to the unique Versailles garden. You’d probably have this pool to yourself. Open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
The separate Family Pool, tucked away and surrounded by foliage, invites younger guests to splash and play around. It has its very own waterfall and offers an exceptional array of pool services for adults too. Open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
The pools are all heated.
The Private Beach
In addition to the three pools you of course have access to The Ocean Club’s private beach. There’s no better way to spend the day than to relax along this peaceful shore. Walk past the Ocean Infinity Pool, with the Dune restaurant on the other side, down the deck staircase where there is a small landing area halfway down with shelves to leave your shoes. I always saw small tubes of sunscreen set around for guest use.
There are high and low shower heads to rinse off on your way back (particularly for the sand on your feet). When you make it down the deck there is a manned station. Let the gentleman here know how many lounge chairs you would like to have set up and your room number. They’ll direct the cabana boys and immediately have the lounge chairs set up to the spot of your choosing. They put a clean, fitted towel over the cushioned lounge chair along with a clean folded towel for using. They’ll also set up your umbrella and a side table, then bring you a bowl of ice with bottled water.
You can order lunch from the beach on your lounge chair and have it delivered directly to you. Just ask (and it is extra). There are long, thick foam floating water pads with headrest built in for relaxing in the ocean. These are a must-try! They also have snorkel gear you can use and SUP boards (complimentary), just ask the gentleman down by the beach.
Ocean And Beach Conditions
The beach and water here is fantastic! The water is calm and so clear you’ll be able to see your toes in the sand. The water is a gorgeous aqua blue and a perfect temperature, warmer than you would experience in the Pacific. Even the sand here is perfect. There is a lifeguard on duty.
Snorkeling
A side note. The water around here was extremely calm. I can’t vouch for any season or weather since I just don’t know, but in June it was calm enough that snorkeling conditions were great. There isn’t anything to see if you snorkel on or near the Ocean Club private beach but if you book a catamaran to go snorkeling (I highly suggest!) you’ll have a great time. The coral is in pristine condition (Hawaii can’t hold a candle to the untouched coral here). The fish count maybe isn’t as high, but there are still colorful and unique fish to see aplenty.
Fitness Center
The fitness center offers the latest state-of-the-art cardiovascular training equipment and resistance machines from Technogym. It has an outdoor free-weight training platform. An attendant is always at the front, which means there is always someone there for assistance.
They offer complimentary morning classes. Tabata Tuesday mornings, Pulse 45 Pilates Friday and Saturday mornings, and Functional Training (think dumbbells, kettlebells, etc.) Monday mornings. Those days and times may change but one-hour yoga classes are offered daily at 8:00am. Personal training sessions at the fitness center are available upon request (not sure of the cost but a personal session is additional). Open daily 6:00am-8:00pm.
There are six Har-Tru tennis courts, four of which are floodlit for night play. Open daily at 8:00am. Tennis clinics are held on Monday and Thursday, and tournaments on Wednesdays. Private tennis sessions are also available upon request (not sure of the cost but, again, it is additional).
You can find grass badminton and volleyball beach set ups upon request.
“Check-out” a bicycle (at no cost from the fitness center) as long as you want and take it wherever you please. A good suggestion for a nice bike ride would be out the front of the resort (past the security hut) and 5 minutes down the road to the Ocean Club golf course. The grounds are beautiful and you can ride past some unbelievable homes that are tucked between the golf course and the shore.
The fitness center has an excellent shower and bathroom facility with a steam room as well. You can find many other toiletries available such as individually wrapped hair brushes. I don’t even remember everything I saw.
Spa
The Ocean Club Bahamas resort houses a luxurious spa that can do just about anything you can dream up. The spa is not complimentary.
Children
If you are toting children, the Ocean Club Bahamas resort offers complimentary ‘Kids For All Seasons Club’. For ages 4-12, they can experience the technology and game center, arts or crafts center, and a toddler’s playground. Daily from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Professional babysitting services are also available from 6 weeks infants to older children age 12. This service is an additional cost.
Restaurants
There are 3 restaurants at the Ocean Club Bahamas resort. Any of the food I had at the resort was excellent. Making reservations with the Concierge is suggested. You can also plan a luxury private dinner by contacting your Butler.
Dune is well known and many come to the resort to eat here. It’s a partially open area and a deck with sitting area sits just above the shoreline and looks out over the ocean. It’s a chic restaurant by internationally renowned restaurateur, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. They serve a blend of French-Asian cuisine infused with local herbs and Bahamian influences. Breakfast 7:00am to 11:00am, lunch 12:00pm to 3:00pm, dinner 6:00pm to 10:00pm, and the Dune bar is open 12:00pm to 1:00am
The Ocean restaurant sits right off the infinity pool. It offers a grill and other light fare. Lunch 11:00pm to 5:00pm
The Versailles Terrace is open air and offers a variety of local and international cuisine. You can watch your favorite sport game. This is the one that sits to the side of the Versailles Pool. Lunch is 11:00am to 5:00pm. The Bar is open 11:00am to 6:00pm
Dress
The dress here tends to be nice. Swimsuit during the day (if you missed my comment at the beginning- you’ll see coverups used everywhere by everyone and at Atlantis it’s posted as required unless at the pool or beach of course). Otherwise, resort casual. Dinner time tends to be “resort smart” if you understand what that means. Just dresser nicer than jeans and t-shirts or tank tops when dining out. Dresses are appropriate.
Overview Of The Ocean Club Bahamas Resort
This is a great place for a romantic getaway or that splurge vacation. It doesn’t exclude family bonding trips either. You’ll feel pampered and you’ll want to come back. See the Ocean Club website for stunning photos of the resort.
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