Love, Bahamian Style

Posted by: travadmin on Mar 17, 2003 – 08:37 PM
romance  By Rich Rubin

A sense of romance is a given at Pink Sands, record-mogul-turned-hip-hotelier Chris Blackwell’s chic property overlooking Harbor Island’s famously rosy beach. A sense of direction might be a good idea, too, as the luxe cottages come blessedly secluded among 20 acres of lush tropical foliage.

Even your arrival is like a trip into a world of sumptuous whimsy: Stepping stones traverse a pond under the gaze of a kaleidoscopic pastel flamingo, leading to a lobby that’s a wonderland of caprice, a fantasia of color and texture and style. A hibiscus blossom floats in a bowl on the bar; hanging bronze stars with lights inside illuminate sleigh couches piled high with a huge assortment of pillows, some batik, others silky pastel. Mermaid mobiles dangle from the ceiling; the pool table in the corner is bright tangerine. The al fresco restaurant, at night a fairy-tale kingdom of twinkling lights, by day waits demurely behind carved green columns, bamboo and lily pads.

Hop in a golf cart to journey through grounds overflowing with spider lilies and bright firecracker plants, dwarf bananas, purple plumbago and fiery red lantana. Remember the route, as you’ll be walking later along stone paths outlining hibiscus beds of pale pink, watery apricot and bold scarlet to reach your ”cottage” – a major understatement for these digs that are likely bigger than your apartment. Inside, a bottle of champagne calls from the minibar, and a selection of the latest CDs awaits. Pop the cork and settle into a deck chair on your patio, looking through sea grapes and casuarinas to the beach and emerald/aqua water.

Sipping your deckside bubbly, you notice a tiny, private path. Follow its hidden curves, and you’re on the glowing strand. (Hint: The sand is pinkest just before and after sunset.)

Returning to your cottage, you realize there’s one thing you don’t see: your fellow guests. Isolated behind towering coconut palms and two-story bougainvillea blooming luminous violet and blazing crimson, is your private kingdom. Oversized Adirondack chairs are laden with batik pillows; vaguely shell-shaped headboards create a subtle island ambience; fans whir in the lofty ceilings. You can opt for a subdued pink and aqua theme that echoes sand and sea or one of designer Barbara Hulinicki’s latest transformations that lend a dizzying fusion of Bahamian/Asian style: lemon and azure walls, Eastern-elegant prints of pipers and elephants and goddesses. For total extravagance, choose the Bimini Cottage, the farthest out on the property, for maximum privacy. This two-bedroom wonder’s most romantic touch is its immense deck, with teak lounge chairs and dining table and an oceanview hot tub that’s just the right size for two.

You might be tempted to sequester yourselves there for your whole trip, and who could blame you? But do venture out for dinner in the Garden Restaurant (it’s part of your room rate, after all). Here, cicadas chirp among the fan palms, soft jazz is underscored by birdsong – the property’s an official bird sanctuary – and private, candlelit corners beckon guests to sup on inventive creations from snapper in lime and ginger sauce to rack of lamb with a rosemary jus. And what says love better than a ”tuille basket” filled with strawberries, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce?

Atone for your indulgence with a workout in the exercise center or a game of tennis, or let a truly inspired indolence fill your days with lounging by the pool or on the legendary beach. Want a picnic on a secluded island? a day of scuba diving or deep-sea fishing? a private flight to Nassau or a soothing massage? Just say the word: While the resort might be the hippest on the island, you’d never know it from the amiable, can-do attitude of the staff. For a colorful lunch, head to the Blue Bar, the periwinkle hues (even the espresso machine is blue) echoing the sea that’s just steps from your table. Feed your lover a bite of tiger shrimp tempura or a forkful of conch salad – but be warned: Bahamians swear by the latter’s aphrodisiacal qualities.
Note: For more great reviews by Rich, go to:
http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com/CTL_Main/1,3690,2-1-1-2865-176-140,00.html