17 Nov Elegance and luxury on a grand scale at Albany Bahamas
Earlier this year, I was approached by a friend living at Albany to help increase awareness of the resort in the UK. It’s a larger resort than Highlife usually work with but after chatting to the charming COO, Damien Michelmore, a fellow Brit and northerner, I agreed to do a bespoke project for this unique resort.
Visiting in October was a treat at the end of a very busy summer and with regular flights offered by both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, the Bahamas is more accessible than ever to escape when the autumn winds start rolling in. Arriving mid-afternoon and just a short drive from Nassau airport, I was checked in to my gorgeous three bedroom villa (don’t tell the kids!) with an expansive lounge, state of the art kitchen, and private pool. No rest for the wicked though, I was immediately whisked off for a tour of the elegant resort, which struck me as a rare medley of both community and luxury.
I was already aware of the famed Albany because of the annual golf event the resort holds every November, the Hero World Challenge, hosted by Tiger Woods. Opened in 2010 and owned by Tavistock Group, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Justin Timberlake, Albany is a collection of private residences aimed at ultra-high end travellers seeking home from home standards but with 24 hour concierge and a plethora of amenities.
Within minutes I was wowed by not only the vastness of the 600-acre estate but also the sense of community. I had imagined a mass of villas and apartments but instead I was surrounded by treelined driveways and stylish individual residential dwellings.
As we made our way to the central marina, which I came to realise is the hub of the estate, the imposing Marina Residences appeared and couldn’t wait to view them. These residences, ranging from 2–7 bedrooms have been designed by some of the world’s most prestigious designers and are uber modern, boasting sweeping views of the Caribbean from the privacy your own balcony hot tub or private pool. It’s hard to describe the level of interiors in these units but the spaciousness and light are dramatic. These residences have the space and comfort of a home withing the stylish layout of an apartment.
Stepping out of the glamour of the Marina Residences, we proceeded in our golf buggy (a cool perk provided to all guests renting at Albany) to view the other houses and beachfront villas, culminating with the Custom Homes right on the beach. I can say with certainty that there are few resorts which offer both the height of hedonistic luxury as well as the variety of accommodation as Albany.
On to the incredible plethora of amenities offered to Albany guests. This resort is paradise for children, active teenagers, and sporty adults. Think of a sport and they’ve got it – from a challenging 18-hole golf course, tennis and padel courts, indoor bowling, golf simulator and to daily fitness classes, to name a few. Not only that, but the spec, finish, and design of sports facilities on offer was avant-garde, clean, and stylish. I couldn’t help imagining what shape I’d be in if this was my regular gym, with its expansive cardio studio adjacent to the comprehensive weight training centre, and a 25m lap pool to cool off in.
More holistic treatments are offered at the state-of-the-art spa where guests can enjoy pampering treatments or even a vitamin infusion. I was considering extending my stay at this point.
The pièce de résistance for me was the equestrian centre where their 8 horses live like kings and are available to guests for riding, lessons, or dressage. Children can be occupied all day, every day here.
By 6pm the jet lag was beginning to kick in so we ordered an early supper which was delivered to our villa and enjoyed a good night’s sleep, waking predictably early to the Caribbean sunrise and a mandatory dip in the pool. I had a meeting with the sales team that morning, I was working after all, so took the opportunity to cycle up to “the hub” and enjoyed breakfast at their on-site French bakery Bisou Bisous. Residents and guests were busy ordering fresh bread for the weekend and taking away their post workout coffee or feasting on the delicious patisserie options.
The rest of the day was spent at Baha Mar which I had heard a lot about and was intrigued by. Located approximately 30 minutes from Albany, Baha Mar is a 1000-acre complex with three hotels, of which Rosewood is probably the most well-known, a casino, and a huge water park. It was busy and noisy and a completely different vibe to Albany but there is a Nexus Club there where Albany guests can spend a day and dip in and out of the facilities – a good option for those who want to see Baha Mar or maybe fancy a flutter!
After a long, hot day, we opted for a sundowner at Vesper (image below), a chilled bar at Albany with cool shabby-chic design, serving sushi and cocktails. This was my favourite dining spot but alternatives include Aviva, offering casual dining with a Caribbean twist, or Azul, adjacent to the adult-only pool with private cabanas. Footprints restaurant was closed for renovation but will has now re-opened, serving fish dishes and salads. Of course I managed to find the ice cream parlour and worked my way through the flavours for the duration of our stay. On the last night of our stay we had a superb Indian meal at the Golf Club’s Nineteen restaurant. Albany has it all. There are lots of restaurants close to the resort and I can definitely recommend Mogano.
Albany welcome trade partner bookings and pay 15% commission on accommodation.
Rates range from USD $5,000 per night for a 2 bedroom residence but if guests wish to join Nexus Club, which has private clubs in New York, Bahamas, and London from 2024, there is a discount of USD $3,000 per night. The membership costs USD $6,000 for one year so it makes sense to join.
There is some availability for festive from December 21st – January 4th and into 2024.
Albany Resort
127 S Ocean Drive
New Providence
Bahamas
If you would like any more information or just to talk through an enquiry, please be in touch.
E: Theresa@highlifemarketing.com
T: +44 7932 751 427