On Location: Goldwynn Resort Nassau – boutique beach luxury with a Canadian connection

The new Goldwynn Resort & Residences in Nassau, The Bahamas’ colourful capital, is a chic boutique retreat with a storied past that, today, has ties to Canada.

The beachfront resort, which opened on a pristine stretch of Cable Beach last February, was once a famous estate, called “Gold Blossom,” first constructed in 1936 – long before the sun-kissed shoreline became a hub for mass tourism.

Some of the property’s earliest visitors were boldfaced names of the time, including Prince Edward and his wife, Wallis Simpson, who arrived in the Bahamas in 1940, where the royal was to serve as governor (prior to his infamous abdication in 1936, Edward had been Edward VIII, king of England).

The Gold Blossom’s dining room, in fact, hosted many iconic celebrities over the years, including actors Clarke Gable and Sean Connery.

The estate built on five acres, overlooking Goodman’s Bay, eventually lived past its prime, and in 2014, the site was acquired by the Wynn Brothers, developers from Toronto, ON, whose endeavours also include the Wynn Fitness gym chain.

Hence where the name “Goldwynn” comes from – while the Gold Blossom estate is no more, its legacy lives on as one half of the name of the Wynn Family’s new Nassau development – a low-rise resort with spacious studios and one, two and three-bedroom suites, among other categories.  

PAX had an opportunity to tour the upscale newbuild this week as part of Nassau Paradise Island’s 2023 International Partners Conference, taking place from June 26-30.

With just 81 residential-style accommodations with glass balconies, as well as 78 residential units, the property offers a fresh take on intimate luxury in a destination that is mostly known for its over-the-top megaresorts.

As the property’s sales team pointed out to us during a tour, there are few (if any) boutique hotels in the area that are built directly on a beach.

At the new Goldwynn, there are no long, winding pathways to the shoreline. Beach access is quick and easy.

James Bond-style design 

And true to the property’s description, there’s definitely something James Bond 007 about the whole experience upon arrival.

The hotel’s elegant and edgy lobby channels the upscale style embodied by the famous fictional intelligence officer. The design, actually, is a nod to the James Bond 007 movies that have been filmed in the Bahamas over the years.

Just beyond the lobby is a black and white photo gallery depicting “old Nassau” – vintage photos of past notable visitors, from The Beatles (the band filmed scenes for their second feature film “Help!” in the Bahamas) to a very young Sean Connery – and bold artwork by local Bahamian artists.

Further inside, notes of seaside luxury gently unfold with mid-century modern architecture, signalling a nostalgic vibe of early Bahamian tourism from the mid 1960s.

The only Bahamian member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Goldwynn Resort & Residences is located fifteen minutes from Linden Pindling International Airport and ten minutes from downtown Nassau.

It’s close to the action – far, but not too far, from the Baha Mar, a 1,000-acre three-hotels-in-one complex – yet the property is wrapped in privacy, exclusivity and refinement.

Families that don’t want a big resort experience in Nassau are finding their way here, the team said, but the hotel, still less than six months in operation, is also attracting a steady flow of couples and wedding groups.

Right now, it’s a mixed a bag of clientele, and that seems to be working for the new property. 

Luxury living 

The studios and one, two and three-bedroom suites, for one, are great for families – studios have kitchenettes, whereas the larger suites have full-on kitchens.

The bright and airy units, some of which face the ocean while others overlook Baha Mar's Royal Blue golf course (where Goldwynn guests get preferred rates), feel like they should belong in a sophisticated luxury home, or condo building, as opposed to a hotel.

And that’s a good thing. Here, peace, relaxation and “feeling at home” comes naturally.

The three-bedroom signature Goldwynn Suite, meanwhile, is the ultimate in oceanfront luxury with 1,940 square feet of interior space, three balconies, two terraces and 270 degrees of unobstructed ocean views.

There are also “Edge Suites” (corner suites), which make guests feel like they’re on the edge of the ocean.

One highlight, inside, is a spectacular five-story art installation, depicting flamingos, by Bahamian master artist, Kishan Munroe.

It towers over a laid-back bar, in a space called Atria, where guests can mix and mingle over cocktails or coffee in a space illuminated by a sky light. 

There’s a full-service spa featuring massage, facials and salon services, and a 24-hour gym with TechnoGym equipment (which makes sense, given the Wynn brothers’ connection to running a fitness chain).

The idyllic infinity pool is a standout amenity as it blurs the boundaries of pool, ocean and beach.

As for dining, the hotel’s restaurant, OIA, offers MediterrAsian cuisine both indoor and ocean view alfresco.

The swanky Amara poolside eatery and bar, meanwhile, has open views of Cable Beach, and here, guests can rent private cabanas, with butler service.

With its prized location on the east end of Cable Beach, the hotel is intimately connected to the calm and crystal-clear waters of the bay, and a nominal resort fee covers unlimited use of kayaks, paddleboards and snorkeling equipment.

Goldwynn also has partnerships with local small businesses so guests can embrace off-the-beaten-path travel, and explore the community.  

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