A "Rosé Paradis Garden" at The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort in the Bahamas
If you're planning a trip to the Bahamas between now and January 29, 2022, why not make it a bit more special by visiting a "Rosé Paradis Garden" - a luxury pop-up experience now open at The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort.
The Bahamian hotel launched the one-of-a-kind experience in honor of its upcoming 60th anniversary. The pop-up was done in partnership with France’s Château d’Esclans to offer guests a taste of France that includes a sampling of Whispering Angel and other wines from the Château d’Esclans portfolio. The enchanted setting is within The Ocean Club’s expansive Versailles Terraced Gardens, adorned with a curated collection of stone and bronze statues and outdoor furniture pieces sourced from French antiques markets and refurbished to match the exact shade of pink found in Château d’Esclans iconic Whispering Angel rosé. I flew to Paradise Island last month to celebrate the resort's newest activation with my longtime publicist and friend, Susan Magrino. Some of you may recall, Susan and her husband, James Dunning Jr., were married at The Ocean Club in 2004 - click here to read the story in Weddings. It was a short, but most enjoyable trip with good friends.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
-
- Here I am just before boarding our plane to the Bahamas with my Rimowa luggage. Rimowa calls this “bamboo green.” I call it “Martha green” inspired by my love for vintage Fire-King glassware.
-
- When we arrived at The Ocean Club, it was a bit rainy, but the views were still stunning. The Bahamas, or The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is a sovereign country within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the Atlantic. The archipelagic state consists of more than 700 islands, cays, and islets in the Atlantic Ocean. It is located north of Cuba, southeast of Florida, and east of the Florida Keys. Have you been there?
-
- This is a look at The Ocean Club’s expansive Versailles Terraced Gardens. The quarter-mile stretch of manicured grounds include a curated collection of stone and bronze statues and marble cloisters at the top overlooking Nassau Harbor. This is the setting for the pop-up “Rosé Paradis Garden” – open to local residents and visitors through the month of January 2022.
-
- The gardens were developed by George Huntington Hartford II, the former owner of the Ocean Club and of Paradise Island itself. (Photo by Christian Horan for The Ocean Club)
-
- Heir to the A. & P. Tea Company, George bought the property in the 1960s. George envisioned a luxury estate for the business elite and imported European fountains and statues. This gazebo sits on the slope to the harbor.
-
- Kevin Sharkey, who also accompanied me on the short three-day excursion, stepped into the gazebo to see its interesting roof design.
-
- Among the 13-statues is this copy of “Hercules” leaning on his club with his lion skin draped on his shoulder overlooking a lily pond. “Hercules” is positioned at the center of the garden. Considered the guardian of Mankind, his likeness towers at eight feet tall.
-
- On another tier, a bronze statue called “Mother and Child.”
-
- George’s biggest purchase was in 1961 when he acquired the disassembled parts of the 12th century cloisters.
-
- George hired architect J.J. Castremanne, to assemble the pieces that had been sitting in crates for more than two decades.
-
- At the center sits a 1928 marble statue titled, “Silence” – placed there by artist William Reid Dick, also cast in statue within the Garden.
-
- Here are some of the tables and chairs displayed in a “Rosé Paradis Garden” where guests can indulge in lavish menu items and toast to good times with the featured Whispering Angel rose.
-
- The outdoor furniture pieces are even refurbished and painted to match the Château d’Esclans iconic rosé – pink. Here, guests can enjoy the exclusive rose wine pairings in lounge style seating.
-
- This is Melissa Katz. The “Rosé Paradis Garden” was the brain child of Melissa and The Ocean Club. On this night, we celebrated the launch at the resort…
-
- Bottles of Whispering Angel and Château d’Esclans wines decorated the shelves. (Photo by Christian Horan for The Ocean Club)
-
- Later we attended a party hosted by Whispering Angel at Dune, the acclaimed restaurant by Michelin starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. We all drank Whispering Angel and Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial Rose champagne. It is also where Susan and Jim had their wedding dinner years back.
-
- Did you see this on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48? The next day, I enjoyed this pina colada and a dip in the water.
-
- Here is a photo of Susan and Jim at the spot where they married in 2004.
-
- Artist Jamaal Rolle, also known as “The Celebrity Artist,” attended the launch party and the dinner and then presented me with this portrait the next evening. Jamaal has created portraits for some of the world’s most recognizable and influential figures including Prince Harry of Wales, Academy Award Winner, Sir Sidney Poitier, and NBA Champion Lebron James. It was an honor to get one of my own.
-
- Here I am with Susan just before going to dinner at Nobu located at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort.
-
- We enjoyed a host of of sushi dishes. The menu at Nobu is a blend of classic Japanese cooking with influences from Peru and Europe. I try to include a visit to one of Nobu’s restaurants whenever I can.
-
- And on the next morning before leaving, Jamaal returned with a portrait of Susan – done so beautifully and so quickly. Please visit his web site at thecelebrityartist.com to see more of his wonderful works.
-
- It was a very quick trip to the Bahamas, but filled with lots of fun and interesting activities. Looking forward to my next visit. If you’re looking for some joie de vivre, go to the Bahamas and treat yourself and a loved one to a “Rosé Paradis Garden” at The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort. You’ll love it.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
