One & Only Ocean Club
Hotel Information: Originally a private estate, the One & Only Ocean Club owes its existence to Huntington Hartford II, the legendary 1950s playboy who bought the estate and converted it into a resort for his jet-set crowd. Its glittering 1962 opening drew entertainment luminaries, royalty, and politicians from around the world. Current owners bought the resort in 1994 and spent $100 million renovating and expanding. Celebrities and world travelers still come, only now they seek seclusion rather than attention. Utter tranquility and hushed, discreet service on 35 garden acres awaits them.
Amenity highlights: Running for three miles along Paradise Island's north shore and accessible by a wood staircase, an uncrowded beach of fine white sand borders the turquoise Atlantic Ocean. Neat rows of cushioned lounge chairs fitted with folding shades furnish sunbathing comfort. Evian-water misting and afternoon sorbet offer heat relief. In the resort's renowned Versailles-styled gardens is a large pool surrounded by palm trees and cushioned wrought-iron lounge chairs. Loungers enjoy full views of the gardens, which feature a 12th century Augustinian cloister.
Insider tip: Complimentary shuttles transport guests 0.5 miles west on Paradise Island to the Atlantis resort (a partner property), where they enjoy access to all facilities and charging privileges, including 21 restaurants and lounges. Atlantis features 11 million gallons of water attractions, including a saltwater swimming, watersports, and snorkeling lagoon; numerous waterslides and pools; and 11 marine-life viewing lagoons. Also available are a teen club, the children's educational Discovery Channel Camp, and a 50,000-square-foot casino.
The One & Only Ocean Club offers 106 large, air-conditioned guestrooms in two wings. Colored palest pink with white-wood staircases and railings, buildings feature West Indian colonial architecture: multi-plane peaked roofs and broad second-floor verandas overhanging ground-floor porches. Each room includes a spacious balcony or ground-floor terrace closed at both ends for privacy and furnished with two cushioned lounge chairs and a two-chair, white wrought-iron dining set. Special amenities feature 24-hour personal butler service, champagne and strawberries delivered every afternoon, daily fresh-fruit bowl, and thrice-daily maid service.
Extra-thick mattresses, Frette linens, comforters, and pillow menus assure sleeping comfort. Each room includes an entertainment center with 32-inch television and a twin-speaker CD/DVD player. (Complimentary use of CDs and DVDs are available in the resort's library.) Bathrobes and slippers, signature toiletries, and fans hanging from high ceilings contribute to the vacation-style ambience.
Pale-yellow walls, a seagreen bedspread, crown molding, a two-poster bed with elaborately carved headboard, lacquered furniture, Art Deco chrome lamps, and a cocktail table displaying a single orchid create a stylish, soothing setting. Minibars are hidden in cabinets with granite tops that hold complimentary bottled Fiji water in silver holders as well as wine, cocktail, and highball glasses. Each room contains an oval dining table with two chairs and an upholstered reading chair. Bathrooms provide recessed lighting, lighted makeup mirrors, scales, and marble vanities.
