Bahamas Luxury: One&Only Raises the Bar with Ultimate Jet Vacations

Confession: Up until a recent visit, I'd been to the Bahamas twice and felt sort of... meh. Technically a collection of 12 islands, my quick cruise ship stopovers felt like a Caribbean tourist trap.

But thanks to a new partnership between Ultimate Jet Vacations (UJV) and One&Only Ocean Club, Bahamas, I'm seeing the Bahamas through lux gold-tinted glasses, and if you have the means, it might very well rise to the top of your bucket list.

First of all, getting there is half the fun. Founded by David Mendal (who also happened to be our pilot, is super cool, and on the shortlist for the Virgin Galactic space program), UJV is a vacation in and of itself. Having dealt with La Guardia and John F. Kennedy airports for the better part of two decades, I can tell you firsthand that nothing beats flying private.

Our entourage headed to White Plains Airport and avoided the hassle of the hundreds of passengers herding through security. After a quick cappuccino and passport check, we were on board a fully equipped, brand new Phenom 300 aircraft by Embraer. Flight geeks will appreciate that the new aircraft uses half the fuel and typically flies at 45,000 feet, which means little to no turbulence. And landing is a breeze with its multi-sensor control panel, which felt smoother than my last Uber drop-off.

Before we knew it, we were pulling up to One&Only Ocean Club's Paradise Island locale in an executive van.

Staying in Style

The Jet2Villa experience could be the perfect throwdown for the ultimate milestone birthday party, bachelor/bachelorette gathering or family reunion. The three-bedroom villa (at nearly 4,500 square feet) includes two master bedrooms (with king-size beds and indoor/outdoor rain showers) and a third bedroom with two Queen-size beds, an infinity pool, entertainment room and dining area.

To dangle the carrot even lower, the package includes 24-hour private butler service, a welcome bar stocked with four bottles of spirits, privately catered dinner for eight, four massage sessions, homebound jet catering and a $1,500 fuel credit. But with UJV jet-setting everywhere from the Maldives to Riviera Maya, why head to the Bahamas? Because Paradise Island lives up to its name in spades... or in this case, martinis.

Swedish industrialist Axel Wenner-Gren staked claim on Paradise Island in 1939 and spent a whole lot of money to turn it into his personal Shangri-La, including magnificent Versailles-inspired gardens. Through the decades, celebrities have flocked to the destination for its luxurious solitude and if the private villas are a bit too flashy, guest rooms and suites in the Hartford Wing and Crescent Wing also offer oceans views or serene verandas overlooking the gardens. The inside views are just as captivating with the public spaces showcasing the works of internationally renowned artist Jane Waterous.

Tropical Tastes

Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten puts his stamp on One&Only's signature restaurant, Dune, where his French-Asian inspirations take a nod from island influences and local purveyors. The chef himself was in the house during my recent visit and the celebrity sighting bolstered my appetite for the bounty of fresh seafood and produce Vongerichten and team are able to procure.

Working with local fisherman Allan Brown, who uses a Hawaiian sling catch for much of his fishing, Vongerichten's local team serves up delicately nuanced dishes like nut and seed crusted snapper and saut�ed grouper. Accompanying the fresh fish (which also includes Bahamian conch and sweet lobster) is an array of vegetables sourced from Maria-Theresa Kemp's Holey Farm, which has provided produce to the restaurant for nearly 20 years. For a casual beachside lunch, consider the lobster burger with green chile mayonnaise or the jerk chicken sandwich with a slather of barbecue sauce.

Of course, a proper vacation needs a proper bar, and One&Only's Martini Bar delivers it in spades, including a collection of celebrity photographs scattered throughout, which pay homage to its long list of celebrity guests and James Bond appearances. Order a Vesper martini (shaken, not stirred, of course) or one of the other intoxicating cocktails such as the Bahama Mama made with Nassau Royale liqueur and dark rum.

To Do or Not to Do, That is the Question

There's plenty to keep busy at One&Only, if that's your style. An 18-hole golf course conceived by Tom Weiskopf offers gorgeous views in every direction, but you might want to keep your eye on the ball. The same goes for six clay Har-Tru tennis courts. Pack your own equipment or use rackets provided by the club, and if you want to improve your game, schedule a private instruction with a tennis professional.

Complimentary bikes are available to cycle around the island or get your zen energy in order with a morning yoga class. Diving and snorkeling offer dramatic underwater views at Tongue of the Ocean and the Great Bahama Bank reefs or keep cool by dipping into the on-site infinity pool. For deep-water explorations, consider a luxury yacht or deep-sea fishing charter, which range from half-day to overnight excursions.

Personally, I was happy to sip cocktails with my feet planted in the sand, the sunshine casting its warm rays across the beach, and that island breeze keeping me cool for a One&Only Caribbean getaway.