A strange, surprising journey from 12th-century Europe to modern-day Nassau.
Crossing Paradise Island Drive at the edge of the Ocean Club, visitors will come upon an unexpected scene.
Between two condominium buildings, framed by palms and bougainvillea, an ancient-seeming structure appears in a French garden.
Credit: Christian Horan
An arcade of gothic arches rests on white marble columns with ornately carved capitals.
In the distance, the sparkling waves and sailboats of Nassau Harbor.
At the time, Wenner-Gren was one of the wealthiest people in the world.
A view of the beach and the Hartford Wing — the resort’s main building when it opened in 1962.Christian Horan
The structure looks, eerily, like it has been in this spot all along.
A few errant pieces were likely carved in more modern times.
But the ongoing construction and Hearst’s entire career, for that matter lost momentum during the Great Depression.
The pool in the Versailles Gardens, with the cloisters in the distance.Christian Horan
The cloisters in theBahamashave seen a lot from their privileged perch over the harbor.
In 2003, the Ocean Club was rebranded under luxury hotel group One&Only.
“Most people don’t realize how expansive the resort is until they get there,” Conway adds.
“You don’t realize quite how impressive it is until you see it in person.”
