Caribbean Islands: Paradise Island

On the heels of Mr. Harper’s recent visit, the Harper Traveler talks with our hotel partners on three of the most spectacular islands of the Bahamas.

Spanish, British and West Indian traditions still inspire the rich culture of Paradise Island, lending disparate musical, culinary and linguistic energy to its distinctive, welcoming atmosphere.

DID YOU KNOW? Several locations at One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island were used as-is for scenes in the James Bond film Casino Royale.

From this island, just over two bridges that span Nassau Harbor, the city of Nassau beckons with all the nightlife, dining and shopping one would expect from the Bahamas’ largest city. It’s this proximity to the city’s energy—and yet still a sense of escape—that makes Paradise Island an ideal introduction to the Caribbean. The island is perhaps best known for Atlantis, the sprawling resort on its western half, but other accommodation, restaurant and casino options abound, such as Mr. Harper’s long-recommended One&Only Ocean Club.

See & Do

For a quieter experience, staff of the One&Only Ocean Club recommend taking in the stunning view of its 12th-century Augustinian cloister, and taking a stroll through its Versailles-inspired sculpture garden. “This is definitely something that you don’t see anywhere else in the region,” says Rachel Palumbo, One&Only Ocean Club’s executive director of sales and marketing.