PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS DESTINATION GUIDE QUIET ON SET INSPIRATO INSIGHTS The unparalleled beauty of Paradise Island has made it a magnet for Hollywood backdrops. The stunning scenery has been featured in two James Bond films: Thunderball, and more recently, Casino Royale. The Beatles film Help had the Fab Four on location as well. And two of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies filmed throughout the Bahamas, nodding to the island nation s storied pirate past. RESORT WEAR Marina Village is Paradise Island s luxury shopping destination and perfect for an afternoon of browsing and buying. High-end shops alternate with one-of-a-kind boutiques selling artisan Bahamian goods from jewelry to textiles to locally-sourced honey. PARADISE FOUND For the last 20 years, Atlantis Resort has been the primary draw for visitors to Paradise Island. This resort features the world s largest man-made aquarium, a massive casino, and the 14-acre Dolphin Cay and marine habitat. Guests of One&Only Ocean Club receive complimentary shuttle service to Atlantis as well as signing privileges at the restaurants and shops there. GETTING THERE You ll fly into Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). Many airlines offer service here, and there are daily direct flights from Miami, Atlanta, New York (LGA), Orlando, Philadelphia, and Charlotte. Paradise Island is a 35-minute drive from the airport. There are taxis waiting at the airport, or you can rent a car. If you opt to rent a car, note that cars drive on the left-hand side of the road. GETTING AROUND It s easy to navigate Paradise Island s 1.1 square miles by foot, taxi, or shuttle. If you want greater flexibility to explore New Providence Island across the channel, you may want to rent a car. Your concierge is happy to discuss the various options with you. CLIMATE THINGS TO KNOW The Bahamas stay within the mid-70s and mid-80s year round, with more humidity in the summer, and a greater chance of rain in the fall. Winter on Paradise Island is warm with low humidity and clear skies. Hurricane season runs from June to November, but they are fairly rare and there is plenty of warning beforehand. QUICK FACTS IDEAL FOR Couples, families, beach bums, sailors, seafood-lovers, film buffs AIRPORT Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau (NAS) LANGUAGE English PASSPORT NEEDED? Yes DRIVER S SIDE? On the left side of the road CONVERTERS Outlets are 110-120V, with standard U.S. two- and three-prong plugs. CURRENCY Bahamian Dollar (BSD) and USD TIME ZONE UTC - Eastern Time Zone GRATUITY GUIDELINES + Housekeeping: $2 per occupied room per evening is typical + Restaurants: 15-20% of your total bill is appropriate, though some restaurants may automatically add a service charge.
GOLF THINGS TO DO The Ocean Club Golf Course is a broadly challenging 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, stretching across the island s peninsula with sweeping views of Nassau Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. This championship course makes the most of its locale, using ocean breezes to extend play on this 7,100-yard course. BEACH Cabbage Beach stretches along 3 miles of Paradise Island s northern shore, past resorts, restaurants, shops, and water sports outfitters. The vibrant blue water lapping up onto warm white sand makes this one of the finest beaches in the world. A little further up you ll find the more secluded Paradise Beach. These pristine and beautiful landscapes are ideal whether you re lying on the sand with a book, walking along the water s edge, or heading out with your snorkel gear. TREAT YOURSELF The award-winning One&Only Spa at the One&Only Ocean Club has 8 Balinese-style treatment suites, each with a waterfall shower, daybed, and hot tub in its own private garden. The innovative spa menu combines ancient traditions with modern techniques and draws from indigenous ingredients like coconut, frangipani, and spices. Each massage begins with a Balinese-inspired foot bath to wash away the stress of the outside world. FAMILY Atlantis Resort is the center of much of the island s entertainment including its extensive water park, Aquaventure. With 11 pools, nine water slides, whitewater rapids, and a mile-long lazy river, there is something to thrill every member of your family. Daredevils will want to line up for the 50-foot vertical drop on The Abyss. Go kids against parents on the parallel Challenger Slides, part of the Mayan Temple. A variety of dining options and lounge areas make this a comfortable place to spend the day. ROMANTIC One of the highlights of staying on Paradise Island is its easy water access to the rest of the Bahamas, including the nearby secluded Out Islands. Charter a boat and pretend you re the only two people in the world on one of the uninhabited beaches. Then settle in for a romantic dinner on the beach with a bonfire beside the crashing waves. Your concierge can insist in creating an evening to remember. ADVENTURE The warm, shallow waters surrounding Paradise Island are the perfect place to try kiteboarding, an increasingly popular water sport sure to get your heart racing. Experience the thrill of flying over smooth turquoise water with the breeze blowing past you. The perfect Bahamian weather means you won t need a wetsuit. Feel the salty spray as you whip across the sea. NATURE Cross the bridge to Nassau on New Providence Island for a visit to Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre. The four acres of verdant tropical gardens are home to myriad exotic animals, like flamingos, monkeys, jaguars, lemurs, and the rare Bahama Parrot. Wander the tranquil grounds past coconut palms, bougainvillea, and mango trees.
MUST DO The Versailles-inspired gardens on the One&Only Ocean Club s grounds offer a romantic and dreamy escape. The island s second owner, Huntington Hartford II, added to the gardens with fountains and bronze and marble statues imported from Europe. He later shipped a complete 12th century Augustinian cloister in pieces from France. The cloister is perched at the top of the gardens, offering some of the most captivating views on all of Paradise Island. LOCAL For as long as there have been people in the Bahamas, there has been rum. John Watling s Distillery on the Buena Vista Estate is one of the only remaining places where you can taste genuine Bahamian rum, made the traditional English way in white oak barrels. Six generations of technique have gone into perfecting their Pale, Amber and Buena Vista varietals in an elegant storehouse dotted with 300-year-old antiques. OTHER ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS + Queen s Staircase landmark in Nassau + Horseback riding + Tennis + Visit Grand Bahama + Shopping + Cave exploring + Swim with dolphins + Snorkeling & scuba diving FESTIVALS & EVENTS + December 26 - January 1 Junkanoo Carnival (celebration of Bahamian culture; other occuences throughout the year) + March - April Bahamas Music & Heritage Festival (impressive lineup of local musicians alongside cultural programming) + First Monday in August Bahamas Emancipation Day (celebrations slaves gaining independence in the British colonies) + October Conch Festival (games, contests and food all celebrating the indigenous conch) + November Bahamas Culinary Classic Food and Wine Festival (local chefs compete with creative and traditional cuisine)
PLACES TO EAT TRAVELLER S REST Atmosphere: Family West Bay Street, Nassau Known for years as just Traveller s Rest, this relaxed Bahamian kitchen is a bit of a local secret. The recently renovated space features a chic and simple dining room that opens out to the sand-covered patio. Live music on the weekends adds a festive air to banana daiquiris, sweet potato hash, and seafood chowder. The all-you-can-eat beach pig roast on Saturdays is well worth venturing to the west side of Nassau. DUNE Atmosphere: Romantic One&Only Ocean Club, One Casino Drive, Paradise Island Renowned chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, brings his thoughtfully intricate style to Paradise Island. The menu focuses on Vongerichten s specialty, French-Asian cuisine, while incorporating ingredients like local fruits, seafood, and the resort s own herb garden. Bahamian rock lobster with Thai herbs and plantains, locally-caught red snapper encrusted with nuts and seeds, and the decadent White Plate for dessert are just some of the standout dishes. Finish the evening with a watermelon martini at the bar where Daniel Craig filmed scenes from Casino Royale. GRAYCLIFF Atmosphere: Fine Dining West Hill Street, Nassau The Bahamas first five-star restaurant knows exactly how to take care of its guests. Start with cocktails and piano music in the parlor of this colonial mansion-turned-hotel. Then follow your tuxedoed server to the grand dining room or the lush terrace. The French-inspired menu highlights Kobe beef, Kurobuta pork, and local seafood. The 200,000-bottle cellar is the third largest private collection in the world and has just the right wine to complement your meal. Seasonal guava soufflé with hard sauce ends the evening on a high note. THE FISH FRY AT ARAWAK CAY Atmosphere: Local Chippingham, Nassau This tiny island made from the sand dredged out of Nassau Harbor is the best spot to get a taste of authentic Bahamian culture today. Known locally as The Fish Fry, the casual and friendly eateries specialize in conch fritters or ceviche and crispy red snapper sandwiches. Try a glass of Goldie s Sky Juice, a heavenly combination of gin, coconut water, sweet milk, and nutmeg. Or sip a refreshing Kalik beer while watching Junkanoo groups practice for the big New Year s Parade.
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