We stumbled across the website for The Island House in the middle of last year shortly after it opened and were immediately intrigued by its concept. Completely unplanned but serendipitously, we were able to view and tour the hotel during a hours-long layover in Nassau late last year.
Developed as an offshoot of the Mahogany House restaurant, the hotel is situated in lush gardens around a beautifully appointed swimming pool. This is the second Caribbean hotel we visited in 2015 that is not located on the beach, but we do not think that fact detracts in any way from the experience as there is so much else on offer. Quiet luxury can be found everywhere and it is evident that art and design take precedence. Care has been taken to place local art throughout the property and the furnishings include pieces by Herman Miller and Dedon. The rooms are generously-sized, well-appointed and appeared to be extremely comfortable. In addition to the hotel rooms, cottages and apartments are available for longer let, and amenities include a spa, gym, padel court and the most stylishly appointed cinema we have ever seen in a hotel.
Special attention has even been taken with the landscaping, where a dearth of flowering plants meant the lush green vegetation really popped against the colours of the buildings. The absence of tropical flowers underscores, we think, the idea behind this hotel; one that has taken a detour from the usual and commonplace in its attempt to forge a more modern spin on tourism. Proving once again that bigger does not automatically equate to better, we love the intimacy of boutique hotels and make no bones about the fact that this is the direction we would prefer tourism in the Caribbean to be headed. The hotel has only recently opened, but we think it is an important and valuable addition to an island that is fast becoming overrun with casinos and megalithic, impersonal hotel properties.
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| Images | The Island House, island*atelier |
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