Bahamas blowout: Inside the $17,000-per-night Four Seasons villa fit for royalty
If the winter season has you craving a luxurious, socially distanced beach vacation, look no further than the Caribbean, Mexico or Hawaii.
You can experience many of the best warm escapes using points and miles, but the most exclusive properties cater to deep-pocketed travelers.
Of the plethora of five-star, non-points resorts dotting the islands around North America, there’s one, in particular, that’s long caught my attention: The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons resort located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
I finally had a chance to stay at the property (on a discounted rate provided by the hotel) in an ocean-view king room. While the “standard” room and attached terrace were spectacular, I also had the opportunity to check out two of the most luxurious ways to experience the Bahamas.
Three mega-villas
The first is by staying in one of The Ocean Club’s three villas fit for royalty. Quite literally, though, as these $17,000-a-night remote enclaves have hosted members of various royal families, notable performers and a mix of Fortune 500 CEOs.
The Frangipani Villa is perhaps the most private, as it’s located all the way at the eastern edge of the resort’s property at the end of a small cul-de-sac.
Upon opening the gates, the welcome gardens, decked out with a covered gazebo and Jacuzzi, will immediately transport you to another region, perhaps the Amalfi Coast or the French Riviera.
The entrance doors open to the show-stopping living room, as you’ll see in the video below.
As you walk seamlessly from the indoors to the outdoors, your eyes will likely turn to the miles of uninterrupted Atlantic Ocean views.
Don’t stare for too long; otherwise, you’ll miss the highlight of the villa: the heated, rectangular infinity-edged pool, surrounded by a collection of stylish outdoor furniture — a sofa, chaise loungers, ten-person dining table and more. (There's also direct access to the beach from the outdoor deck.)
Back inside, the living room itself sports an eight-seat dining table, large sectional sofa, TV and an incredibly well-stocked mini- mega-bar with 25 full-sized bottles of top-shelf liquor.
The 4,445-square-foot three-bedroom villa comfortably sleeps eight guests. Its two wings each feature an identical master bedroom with a plush king-sized bed and en-suite bathroom with dual vanities, a walk-in shower and a deep soaking tub.
When you’re paying the big bucks, you’ll also enjoy full-sized Molton Brown toiletries. (The regular rooms were stocked with small bottles of Hermes products.)
With its two double beds, the third bedroom is designed for children or friends traveling together. Unlike the two masters, the third bathroom only features a shower.
Each villa also features its own kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. Though some guests might enjoy preparing a meal while on vacation, others can rely on the dedicated personal chef to whip up their desired fare.
There’s also a butler assigned to each villa to care for every last request. When I toured the Frangipani Villa, the butler was setting up a DJ system at the request of the arriving party (quite literally and figuratively).
The 24-hour service team can also drive you around the resort at your convenience in a dedicated golf cart.
Home by The Ocean Club
While renting a villa is one of the most luxurious ways to experience the Bahamas, Home by The Ocean Club takes the experience to a whole new level.
With the pandemic-related drop in demand, several hotels worldwide have introduced “work-from-vacation” packages, billed as extended stays with extra perks for those who are now working remotely.
With Home by The Ocean Club, this Four Seasons property is the latest to join the party, and its extended-stay offering is easily one of the most exclusive (and expensive) worldwide.
Billed as the ultimate work-from-home package, the resort will do anything it can to replicate your daily routine while spending multiple weeks in paradise.
Some of the services the hotel has recently arranged for its long-term guests include private chefs, daily personal training sessions and tutors for children participating in remote learning.
The resort manager, Kristen Whyly, promises that he will remove every possible barrier there might be to living at the resort. Whether it's your preferred type of cereal or doing your laundry on a certain day, Home by The Ocean Club is designed to mimic your at-home routine while in paradise.
Your pre-arrival concierge will even deck out the villa with as many family photos as you'd like.
If you decide to splurge for an extended-stay package, you’ll receive a discount on the rack rate that varies depending on the dates and length of stay. There are no room category requirements for the long-term-stay package, but the hotel recommends selecting a suite or villa for added personal space.
The Ocean Club amenities and safety precautions
All the hotel amenities are currently open and available to those indulging in a multi-week vacation.
Perhaps the most iconic amenity is the Versailles Garden and accompanying cloisters, designed in the 1960s by the then-owner to lure Hollywood celebrities and business bigwigs to the hotel.
The resort features three pools: one perched at the oceanside, one nestled in the Versailles Gardens and one by the tennis courts designed for young children.
Both the spa and gym are open, with the latter offering a COVID-friendly outdoor workout area with a range of free weights and benches.
Ocean Club guests are invited to use the facilities and water park at the nearby Atlantis mega-resort, making a great day in the sun, especially for children and teenagers.
Though you could theoretically eat every meal in your villa, Dune by Jean Georges is located just a few steps away, offering both indoor and outdoor seating.
The restaurant is open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. and serves a variety of locally inspired dishes, along with some Jean Georges classics, like the broccoli and kale salad or the crispy rice salmon roll.
The Ocean Club is taking guest safety seriously. All visitors arriving in the Bahamas must apply for an entry visa after receiving a negative PCR test within five days of arrival, a process I found particularly straightforward.
Guests staying five or more nights must also take a rapid antigen test on day five before being allowed to continue their vacation.
Like all Four Seasons properties worldwide, The Ocean Club has adopted the Lead with Care anti-coronavirus initiative. Guests are required to wear masks in all public areas, temperatures are taken upon arrival and at breakfast each morning and much more.
Additionally, the hotel is footing the bill for weekly testing for every staff member, ensuring that the property remains a safe destination for all guests.
With its industry-leading COVID precautions, The Ocean Club offers some of the most luxurious and safest beachside accommodations money can buy. Whether it’s the three-bedroom villa or an extended work-from-home package, well-heeled travelers can’t go wrong at The Ocean Club.
And for everyone else, there’s always Amex’s Fine Hotels and Resorts program, offering extra perks on stays at nearly 1,100 of the world’s top hotels, including The Ocean Club.
All photos by Zach Griff/The Points Guy
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.