A lighter version of a familiar wing
The Ocean Club on Paradise Island is reopening its historic Hartford Wing with refreshed ocean-view guestrooms and suites from October 2026. The project keeps the wing’s original character while shifting the interiors toward a brighter and more contemporary mood.
The redesign covers 24 guestrooms and two suites, with colours and materials drawn from the sand, sea and changing Atlantic light. New furnishings and finishes are intended to make the rooms feel calmer without stripping away the sense of history.
Palm Beach-based Joanna Kerr Design led the transformation, using blue wallcoverings, layered timber tones and custom artwork to soften the previously darker interiors. The approach is residential rather than theatrical, which suits a resort where many guests return repeatedly.
Details that connect to the Bahamas
Bathrooms now use wave-patterned stone, basketweave mosaics and warmer lighting to create a more relaxed atmosphere. These are practical changes as much as decorative ones, making the spaces feel fresher after years of use.
Bespoke furniture, woven pendants and a blue glass mosaic private bar add more specific character. Black-and-white photography also nods to The Ocean Club’s long history without turning the rooms into a museum.
Ground-floor rooms continue to open directly toward lawns and ocean views, while upper rooms offer more privacy. That choice matters for families, couples and multi-generational groups who may want different levels of separation.
Resort life beyond the room
The Hartford Wing sits close to the spa, Martini Bar and other established parts of the resort, so the renovation improves an already convenient area rather than creating a separate enclave. Guests also retain access to the resort’s pools, water sports and dining.
The property has added padel alongside tennis and continues to build wellness programming around the autumn season. This gives the refresh a broader context: the room upgrade sits inside a resort that is steadily modernising its leisure offer.
A Caribbean option with history
For LYG readers cruising or flying through the Bahamas, The Ocean Club remains attractive because it combines a strong beach setting with easy access to Nassau and Paradise Island. The refreshed rooms make the older wing more competitive with newer Caribbean resorts.
The project is not about making the property flashier. It is about improving comfort, light and detail while preserving the atmosphere that has made the hotel distinctive for decades.
