Paradise Island was originally the private estate of a Swedish millionaire and called Hog Island. But today Paradise Island, the one-square-mile oasis just offshore from Nassau, Bahamas, lives up to its current name, offering sun-seeking vacationers miles of idyllic white-sand beaches; the Caribbean’s largest casino; world-class restaurants; and a wealth of resorts to make your island base. So which one should you choose? You can’t go wrong at any of these, which we consider the five Paradise Island hotels.
The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort For more than half a century this classic Caribbean cloister has welcomed well-heeled guests to what was once the estate of A&P heir Huntington Hartford. Recently given a contemporary overhaul complete with a new oceanview infinity pool and Ocean Pool Grill as well as rebuilt Hartford Wing rooms that now feature Japanese toilets, the retreat, famous for its formal gardens featuring 12th-century French statuary, is the finest on the island, the crown jewel among Paradise Island hotels. (The hotel’s Dune restaurant, a Jean-Georges outpost, is also a major highlight).
Atlantis The biggest game in town, 3,400-room Atlantis is to the Bahamas what Disney is to Orlando: the place every little (and big) kid wants to visit, with a vast waterscape of lagoons, aquariums and waterfalls; a 141-acre water park, Aquaventure; and the the top casino in the region. There are also a range of options, from the luxe The Cove to the signature Royal Towers. But the 20-year-old isn’t resting on its laurels: It recently launched a new movement to “nurture the Bahamian creative and entrepreneurial community, preserve the oral and visual history of the country and create a platform for Bahamian makers to share their works with the world” with its “Come to Life” cultural initiative.
Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas Less than a year old, this adults-only all-inclusive resort is the first new resort on Paradise Island since 2007. Facing Nassau Harbour, the 250-room playground boasts three restaurants, a poolside pizzeria and grille, a beach bar and a lobby bar, and it’s only a 10-minute walk from the sands of Cabbage Beach. The pool deck is stunning, and the food is a standout, too.
Comfort Suites Paradise Island This little island’s biggest secret has to be the value proposition at this 223-room hotel, where rates include complimentary access to all the amenities of neighboring Atlantis resort plus free WI-FI and daily hot breakfast. Families won’t find a better deal.
Riu Palace Paradise Island On the spectacular Cabbage Beach, this Atlantis neighbor offers great value for the budget-conscious visitor, with reasonable everything-included rates and 379 modern rooms.