But what is there for the discerning traveller who appreciates upscale accommodations, expects peace & quiet or needs a little more privacy than the normal accommodations provide? Fortunately, one of the best resort lines in the world graces the shores of Paradise Island.

Named as one of the Leading Resorts and featured in countless luxury magazines is the One & Only Ocean Club and it sits on a fantastic stretch of beach on Paradise Island that boasts some of the finest, talcum soft white sand on the planet. The property is the former estate of A & P Grocery Store heir, Huntington Hartford who at one time was considered one of the richest men in the world.

Another nice feature is that the beach here seems to go on forever and looking down the beach from One & Only, at times you will be the only soul in sight.

Grounds

The grounds are kept in immaculate condition around the property. From Hibiscus to Orchids, the landscaping team needs to be commended for their work on the property.

Boutique Shop

If you come down with nothing more than the clothes on your back, the on property Boutique Shop offers most everything you will need during your stay.

Pools at One&Only Ocean Club

There are two pools at the One&Only. The Family Pool is for young children and the Versailles Pool for adults aged 14 years and older. A nice feature about the pools and the beach, is their concierge service that provides complimentary water, magazines, chilled water misters and sunglass cleaning services as well as sorbet poolside and fruit on the beach.

Tennis Courts

There are 6 Har-Tru Tennis courts on property that offer day or night play and also have an on-site tennis pro for your use.

Kids Club

The complimentary “Kids Only” club is stocked with all the items that kids of all age groups will enjoy. From X-Box, Wii and Playstation gaming to the latest Apple Computers. The Kids Only club also has a great room for the 0-4 year olds as well. There is also a very nice craft room where the kids can try their hand at making their own Junkanoo mask.

Bars

All the premium alcohol you would expect is represented here. From Hennessey to Dewars and Disaronno and everything in between….the bar is ready to serve your favorite. If we could add, the bartenders here are some of the best on the island!

Weddings

Weddings are very popular at One&Only Ocean Club Bahamas. The large wooden patio to the right side of the property as you face the ocean provides a fantastic backdrop for amazing wedding pictures and also serves as a great place for the reception.

In the case of inclement weather, The One&Only Ocean Club has a large, indoor setting that will accommodate a large group as well.

Events are also held by the Versailles Gardens as well. The exquisite gardens inspired by the romantic grandeur of Versailles are an ideal location for weddings or tented dinner receptions.
Maximum Capacities: Ceremony -120 guests / Dinner -120 guests (tent rental required)

Accommodations

The One&Only Ocean Club has 2 distinct wings, several cottages and the much sought after 3 and 4 bedroom Villas. Several different room accommodations are possible for singles, couples, or families of any size.

Private 3 and 4 Bedroom Villas

Because of our strong relationship with the staff at The One&Only Ocean Club, we were given exclusive access to the Hibiscus Villa #1.086. This 4 bedroom private villa has been the island home to countless celebrities, heads of state and their families, along with others who desire discrete privacy and can afford to be treated very well.

Walking into the villas, its clear that you have entered your own private world. The lush, but well manicured zen gardens provide a wonderful greeting and immediately help you realize this…is paradise found!

Walking through the front doors of the 4800 square foot villa, you are immediately greeted with wall to wall ocean facing sliding doors. Each of these villas are ocean front and come with their own infinity pool overlooking some of the clearest water in the caribbean.

Just picture yourself staring out into the wild blue yonder, not a care in the world, your favorite drink in hand and nothing but time to let your mind be still and at ease for a while. Many guests also appreciate that because of the villas elevated position and use of existing landscaping, that the pool area offers a added level of privacy from people who may be walking on the beach.

In the main living area, you have a large flat screen tv, 2 large couches, and 2 chairs. On the other side is a large dining table with seating for 8 comfortably with a fully stocked bar just steps away. A large vaulted ceiling also frames the room.

The bathrooms are well appointed with large, well lit mirrors, oversized walk in showers with rainhead fixtures, makeup mirrors and also provide plenty of space to move around. Another unique feature of the bathrooms on both sides of the villas, are their private patio areas. These private patio areas provide a secluded area within the villa to escape and read a book, sunbathe, or just relax.

This villa comes with your own Butler staff, private chef, and dedicated maid service.

Complimentary Amenities include:
Arrival Amenities
• Fruit and Cheese Platter • Bottle of Dom Pérignon or Veuve Clicquot • Cold towels
• Kids – Lemonade / Greeted by KidsOnly Club and handed a Welcome Pack
• One&Only Ocean Club Bag • Flower arrangement

Room Amenities
• Daily Continental Breakfast served In-Villa • Personal Villa Host and dedicated housekeeper, 24-hours a day • Canapés nightly • Crystal Geyser® Alpine Spring Water • Snacks – Chips and nuts
• Personal Golf Cart • Chocolate and bottle of water on turndown • Milk and Cookies – Kids
• Laptops • Fax, copy machine and scanner • Daily newspaper • Fresh fruit presentation- daily
• Kashwére robes and slippers • Pressing and shoe shine service

Departure Amenities
• Gift bags – candle soap, soap sponge, bath salts • Kids – stuffed animal

Its easy to see why the guests at Hibiscus Villas tend to never leave their Villa and even though the Hibiscus Villa is in the highest category price range, they sell out almost as soon as they become available so the strategy here, is to let the staff here at Island Breeze Travel know you are interested well in advance so they can keep in touch with the resort and reserve the villa as soon as it is offered.

Spa

Probably one of the most unique features of The One&Only Ocean Club, is their Spa Treatment Villas. These are not your standard treatment rooms, these are actual stand alone villas where Zen Gardens dream about living! I have been in quite a few spas during our travels but the Spa Villas at One&Only literally took my breath away. Speaking with the spa manager, several guests have a hard time leaving the spa because it is so peaceful. Your spa experience starts from the moment you walk through the front door as you are greeted by Sharie, one of the resorts long time employees and reasons why guests come back year after year. For some guests, it feels like their second home.

Sharie has personally witnessed countless guests arrive wound up so tight from all the stress they carry from their daily routines visit her at the spa and within one or two treatments, all that stress just melts away with the warm Bahamian sunshine.

Restauraunts

As with many of the world class resorts, One&Only Ocean Club does not disappoint.

From the oceanfront Dune Restaurant, legendary Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s creative menu of French-Asian dishes—with a dash of Bahamian flavors to our favorite, the Courtyard Terrace.

It features a fountain, reflecting pool and overhanging palms which create an elegant garden setting that complements the Mediterranean-influenced, contemporary cuisine served on select evenings.

A big thanks to our friend Myra Brown with One&Only for taking such great care of us during our visit.

For more information and to book your trip to the One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise Island, Bahamas please contact Island Breeze Travel, your One&Only Ocean Club Specialists at mark@island-breeze-travel.com or call us at 517-917-0510.

Most Excellent Resort:
Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada

Most Excellent Service:
Jade Mountain at Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

Only the best will do for our clients, call Travel Designers on 0207 720 8484 and experience our difference. 

Well known as a tourism hub, Ocho Rios is just bursting with romantic activities for couples celebrating their honeymoon and if you’ve ever wondered what it was like to swim with dolphins or sharks, then Dolphin Cove is the place to find out what a thrilling experience that is. Adjacent to the world famous Dunn’s River Falls in Ocho Rios, Dolphin Cove is Jamaica’s number one marine attraction. It has all the makings of a thrilling couples adventure; offering the excitement of interacting with not only bottlenose dolphins, but stingrays, snakes, iguanas and a host of colourful tropical birds as well!

An idyllic 5 acre tropical retreat, set against the backdrop of Jamaica’s picturesque North Coast. Here, in addition to swimming with the dolphins, sharks and stingrays, guests can also captain their own mini-boat or go glass-bottom kayaking to explore the fascinating underwater world of the Caribbean Sea so you and that special someone can have that intimate time alone. Once your ready for the thrill-ride exotic and friendly dolphins are waiting to cuddle with you or take you for a spin around the cove.

If you happen to prefer fresh water (or if you’d like to try them both) then head on over to one of Jamaica’s most celebrated national treasures, Dunn’s River Falls! It is hands down the island’s most frequented waterfall and one of most popular attractions in the Caribbean. This 600-foot majestic waterfall, known as “the Niagara of Jamaica” sees thousands of visitors from around the world each year climbing the limestone rock formation as water cascades past them and splashes into the ocean below. A truly outstanding treasure for everyone from the adventurous tourist to the more cautious individuals.

Climbing up the waterfalls is a popular tourist activity and is often, but not exclusively, performed with the help of tour guides from the park and can be hiked with relative ease, often in a hand-holding human chain behind the guide. The falls are bordered by lush, green vegetation that shades the area from the sun. This helps keep the area cool as people try to climb the waterfall. Climb this famous waterfall at the point where its river meets the Caribbean Sea, to test fun boulders that double as slippery waterslides along the way or simply share an embrace behing the veil of the waterfall.

Already you can tell there’s more to Jamaica than just scrumptious food, stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife. The island’s navigable rivers also offer a number of opportunities for activities. Seven miles outside of bustling Ocho Rios, Jamaica is a 300 acre hidden paradise known as the White River Valley. Home to Jamaica’s White River; one of the eight rivers in the aptly named Ocho Rios found by the Spanish in the 17th century. It is famous for it’s rapids and alluring crystal clear pools and is a popular spot for vacationers looking for everything from romantic picnics to lazy river tubing and kayaking. Chukka Caribbean Adventures’ White River Kayaking combines the thrill of the river’s rushing waters with the quiet serenity of floating through a bamboo cathedral.

You’ve heard that St Ann is often called the “garden parish” and what better time to find out why than on your Honeymoon? The parish overflows with colourful tropical flowers and lush greenery and there are several beautiful public gardens in and around Ocho Rios. A walk through these gardens reveals sculpted grounds with exotic plants, cool tropical rainforests brimming with countless species of ferns, up-close views of gushing waterfalls and rivers, and encounters with fish, birds and butterflies. Here are a few tropical garden paradises that come highly recommended:

Cranbrook Flower Forest is a garden within a park, and is a popular picnic spot. The 130-acre property holds a working nursery, four lawns with barbeque areas and swings, a diverse collection of plants, fishing ponds stocked with tilapia, and a river coursing through the property. The main garden is a horticulturist’s dream, with thousands of plant species parked along trails and in a greenhouse. There’s also an area where numerous rare varieties of palms grow, including the Triangle Palm and the Traveller’s Palm. The garden aside, Cranbrook’s main attraction is the riverhead, where the Little River gushes out from its underground source into a natural swimming pool – perfect for a refreshing dip after a romantic stroll!

Coyaba River Garden gets its name from an Arawak word meaning paradise or heaven – so it’s no wonder it’s become a popular place to celebrate your nuptials. Nestled in the hills, the small manicured garden displays a variety of flowering plants and vines, ferns and trees. Water plays an important role in the garden’s ambiance, and shallow crystal-clear streams and ponds crisscross the grounds. After you roam Coyaba’s garden, browse the gift shop, enjoy a cup of Blue Mountain Coffee at the courtyard cafe or take a tour of the museum, which displays many artefacts, including bits of Arawak pottery, a mantrap from the 19th century, Spanish water jars and 16th century maps.

High on the hills overlooking Ocho Rios, Shaw Park Gardens offers a breathtaking view of the seaside town, making it a popular setting for special events. The property was originally a part of Shaw Park Estate, which was owned by a Jamaican family until the 20th century when it became the site of one the earliest hotels on the Jamaican north coast. Today, the 25-acre property has lovely gardens that slope downhill and run alongside a cascading waterfall. So whether you’re interested in planning an eco-adventure for two or just a romantic day-trip, come experience the natural beauty and splendour of Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

For Further information contact Sherie on 020 7720 8484 or email sherie@traveldesigners.co.uk or click http://www.traveldesigners.co.uk/caribbean.html

FIRST IMPRESSION: Any stress which finds its way onto the plane with a client will have trouble surviving the stroll into Carlisle Bay.The sense of calm is immediate – even the business end of the resort, the reception, is serene and relaxing with plantation shutters and muted grey walls.

Flights from London handily arrive mid-afternoon allowing an immediate dip in the Caribbean Sea before supper.

No need to worry about orientation at this stage either as a beach attendant who knows where the bar is will find you before you can say pina colada. While sticking to the finest tradition of the Caribbean – sand and sea – the design is far from the traditional, often tired, look of many of the islands accommodations.

The rooms don’t rely on the view or infrequent use – they are contemporary, stylish and blend with the location gently and without fanfare.

THE FACTS: Carlisle Bay’s 82 suites all face the sea, each with a private terrace or balcony.

The resort features two of the best restaurants on the island; Indigo on the Beach has a laid back, informal setting with views across to Monsterrat – the menu features light and healthy food, specializing in grills, fresh seafood, salads and homemade breads.

East specializes in authentic dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, India and Indonesia.

The Pavilion Bar has the most extensive rum list on the island.

Signature treatments at the Blue Spa include the Natura Bissé ‘Diamond Ice Lift Facial’ and an exotic ‘Honey & Mango’ scrub.

There are nine floodlit tennis courts, three complimentary kids clubs, a sublime library and a 45-seat luxury screening room.

WHO’S IT FOR: The hotel is ideal for active families.The suites at Carlisle Bay are devised to accommodate families of all sizes, with the option of interconnecting, two or three bedroom suites.

On arrival at the hotel, families receive a weekly activity programme, welcome gifts for children and children’s bathrobes.

Complimentary guided tours through the protected rainforest next to the hotel are available, as are private boat trips around Antigua (at a supplementary charge).

There is also Pee Wee Tennis and Junior Tennis clinics available on the Carlisle Bay courts. Complimentary activities such a hobby cats, kayaking, sailing and snorkelling are available on a daily basis.

Carlisle Bay operates three complimentary children’s activity clubs: ‘Cool Kids Club’ for children aged four to seven, ‘Crew Blue’ for children aged seven to twelve and ‘Crush’ for children age thirteen to nineteen.

WOW: It’s a little clichéd but the beach  will bring a beaming smile to any guest. And having a rainforest on the doorstep is a truly spectacular and fascinating bonus.

For Further information -Call us on 020 7720 8484 or email nick@traveldesigners.co.uk or click www.traveldesigners.co.uk

Wade Shealy visits Casa de Campo