Feeling the need to get away—but not too far away—I took a long weekend and headed to Eleuthera and the newly renovated luxury boutique hotel, the Potlatch Club. I was curious about this favorite destination among socialites, celebrities and royals in the 1950s and ’60s. But even more interesting for a design editor was that the original home—built for a pineapple-plantation owner in 1923—had been designed by Ray James Holman Nathaniels, who is credited for introducing modernism to the Bahamas.
The car pulled up to a magnificent house with no circular drive or attendants or other trappings. As I entered, I felt like I was stepping into someone’s home; it was quiet, elegantly decorated with antiques, art, a fireplace, and a floor of antique black and white tiles—plus jaw-dropping views of the turquoise water just beyond. I was greeted with much-needed refreshment and a big smile from Kezang Dorji, the general manager, who led me into the reception area. Its dark furnishings were in sharp contrast to the white walls and light palette of the foyer. My eye was immediately drawn to the whimsical wallcoverings depicting the Bahamas in ink blue on a natural ground. A quick peek into the nearby library revealed a mix of furniture from different periods of the house’s expansion. Vintage photos of the property and socialites from the ’50s and ’60s hung near an antique piano and a game table, while a collection of tennis racquets really made you feel as if this space was a home, not a resort.
The path from the clubhouse to my cottage meandered through beautiful plantings, including a Banyan tree that offered a nice respite from the sun. Hans Febles, one of the owners, told me that when he and his business partner, Bruce Loshusan, started their seven-year renovation of the 12-acre property they took great care to create what had been on the property with the trees, plantings and structures. They saved what they could and rebuilt what they could not.
My garden-view cottage was airy and beautifully decorated.
The original club house has some antiques and a very homey feel.
Paul McCartney wrote some of the lyrics to “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window” on Potlatch Club stationery.
This pool is located adjacent to the restaurant terrace.
Meditative spots invite relaxation.
The Potlatch Club covers 12 acres of tropical gardens and pink-sand beaches.
My cottage opened to a bedroom with a sitting area washed in blue. Design books were stacked on a rattan table, and a white spool bed was dressed with a layered mix of blue and white linens. Interior designer Amanda Lindroth’s simple and relaxed design is evident in all the rooms and public areas, including the Fig Tree, the main restaurant, where a wall of comfy banquettes filled with plush throw pillows and different blue fabrics definitely had Amanda’s signature. I enjoyed a leisurely Asian-fusion lunch there, where unique handwoven pendants suspended at varying heights caught my eye.
On my first morning, I took a walk along the seven-mile-long beach and was greeted with workers clearing the sand of palm leaves. Throughout my stay, I went from swimming laps in the nearby pool to plunging into the ocean. When I needed a break from the sun, I spent time in the gym and even headed to the spa for an hour of pampering. And the Sand Bar, overlooking the crescent-shaped main pool, was the perfect spot for a quiet cocktail.
Other days, I toured Governor’s Harbour with its beautifully colored houses and winding streets. First on my list was visiting the shop responsible for that wonderful wallpaper in the reception area. Everything from yards of fabric to finished goods made this a fun outing. Along the way, I stopped at the fish market since the boats had just come in. It was fun to be in the mix and see all the fishing boats unload their catch. My last stop was the local liquor store to get my son-in-law some local rum that I had tasted the night before.
My days of a relaxing life came to an end too quickly. But my warm memories will serve me well during the cold winter ahead.