Travel Inspiration: The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort
Credits: Horan, Christian / Four Seasons
October 5th marked the 1962 release of the first ever James Bond film, Dr. No, starring the incomparable Sean Connery. As a result, the date has since been globally celebrated as James Bond Day, commemorating the original gentleman spy narrative and its many contributions to the worlds of film, travel, and mass media. Indeed, the Bond movies have been known for inspiring travellers to visit the picturesque filming locations where 007 struts his stuff – a cultural pilgrimage of sorts which we have some experience with, particularly when Luxury Executive visited the gorgeous hotel Central in Sölden. And now, in a somewhat belated celebration of Global James Bond Day, we’ll take a closer look at yet another famous Bond filming location: the Ocean Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas.
Fans of the Bond movies will likely remember the Ocean Club as one of the famous locations from the 2006 version of Casino Royale. As Daniel Craig’s Bond arrives in the Bahamas, we get a short preview of what you can expect to see in Nassau, after which we’re treated to a closeup view of the Ocean Club lobby. This retro, luxury space where the resort receives guests also offers complimentary coffee and tea in the mornings and freshly squeezed, ice-cold Bahamian lemonade with lime in the afternoons.
With the Ocean Club’s 35 acres of gardens and many other luxury attractions/amenities, it would be difficult to fit everything the resort offers into just 24 hours. In between and around the resort’s vast green, open spaces, you’ll find a badminton court, a small gym, three pools, and six tennis courts with professional coaches who can sharpen up your backhand swing. You might also fancy a walk at the resort’s famous Versailles palace-inspired terraced garden. If you manage to tire yourself out, the spa’s eight Balinese-style treatment bungalows await. You can also opt to take a shuttle to the nearby private beach, freely accessible to guests of the Ocean Club.
For good eats, there’s no better place to visit on Paradise Island than the resort’s Dune restaurant. Offering a modern western menu jazzed up with Bahamian flavours, the Telegraph reveals that none other than Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is in charge of keeping the menu up-to-date. While Dune’s ocean hues and crisp whites create a delightful atmosphere in the daylight, at night, the mood takes an intimate tone with flickering candles and a live jazz outfit. For cocktails, head back to the lobby and make yourself comfortable at the Martini Bar & Lounge, home of the Vesper Martini as well as one of the most recognizable shooting locations from Casino Royale. A lot of the Ocean Club’s visitors are actually Bond fanatics looking to walk in 007’s footsteps. And who can blame them?
After 26 movies since 1962, the Bond universe has become not just the biggest spy movie franchise ever, but also one of the most influential crime and espionage narratives in all of modern media. Following in the footsteps of James Bond as he struts across the most sought-after vacation spots in the world has become an ongoing trend following each new Bond movie. Such is the character’s global influence that he has become part of world culture, and a global ambassador for Britain, who is instantly recognised in all forms of media. Slingo’s James Bond-inspired slot title Agent Jane Blonde is proof that the 007 himself doesn’t need to be directly named for fans to still know who is being referenced. Whether through direct references or modern tongue-in-cheek representations, Bond’s legacy lives on, and will continue to live on as per recent news of a possible new actor taking on the special agent’s role. Until then, real-world locations like the Ocean Club in Nassau, Bahamas can be visited for the ultimate Bond-inspired luxury experience.
Credits: Horan, Christian / Four Seasons
