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Bahamas blowout: Inside the $17,000-per-night Four Seasons villa fit for royalty

Zach GriffSenior reporter
Zach Griff is a senior reporter at TPG. He writes travel and product reviews, deep dives into loyalty programs, news about the airline industry and more.

January 10, 2021 • 10 min read

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Quick summary

The Ocean Club on Paradise Island in the Bahamas is a luxury resort offering both standard rooms and ultra-exclusive villas, with amenities tailored for privacy and comfort.
The resort's villas, including the Frangipani Villa, feature private pools, ocean views, personal chefs and butler service, accommodating up to eight guests in three bedrooms.
A new extended-stay package, Home by The Ocean Club, caters to remote workers and families seeking long-term stays, with personalized services such as private chefs, daily trainers and tutors.
Guests enjoy access to multiple pools, a renowned restaurant, spa, gym and privileges at the nearby Atlantis resort, with enhanced health and safety protocols in place.

What to consider

Extended-stay discounts vary based on dates and length of stay, with no minimum room category required but suites or villas recommended for space.
Entry to the Bahamas requires a negative PCR test and an entry visa, plus an additional rapid antigen test for stays of five nights or longer.
The resort enforces strict health measures, including mask mandates, temperature checks and regular staff testing.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed look at the villa layouts, exclusive amenities and how the resort customizes long-term stays for remote work and family needs.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

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

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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More details

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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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
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Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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 $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

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.