Known for its wild, pristine beauty and 135 empty beaches, the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas will welcome its first truly luxury boutique hotel in June 2024. An 11 key former private home, popular with New York socialites in the 1960s and 70s, the property fell into disrepair in the 1980s, but has now been lovingly restored under its original name – The Potlatch Club.
Potlatch is a term derived from a Northwest Native American ceremonial feast – where possessions are destroyed or given away to display wealth or enhance prestige – this appears to have been the original modus operandi of The Potlatch Club. For years, the oceanfront retreat was a magnet for socialites as well as silver-screen legends - such as Greta Garbo, Richard Widmark, Raymond Burr, and Rita Gam - who were never charged for anything. And in 1969, Paul McCartney honeymooned at The Potlatch Club with his first wife, Linda, when he wrote several Beatles songs including ‘Bathroom Window’ on Potlatch Club notepaper.
In 2016, new owners Bruce Loshusan and Hans Febles stumbled across the dilapidated property. Now, after a 7-year renovation designed and landscaped by Hans Febles alongside Nassau-based, interior designer Amanda Lindroth, the island’s mid-century icon has been restored to its former glory.
Fronting a 7-mile deserted stretch of pink-sand beach, The Potlatch Club is an oceanfront escape where breezy coastal elegance meets timeless Caribbean architecture at the reborn Potlatch Club. The property’s original clubhouse remains historic details such as checkered floors and classic whitewashed arches hark to the property’s storied past, while striped awnings and pops of pastel add glamorous seaside flare. White walls, pink coral stone floors, coral stone finished bathrooms, designer furniture and original art complete the relaxed yet upscale beachy look.
Set in 12 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, the accommodations are a mix of historic and newly built whitewashed suites (3), garden cottages (3), ocean-facing cottages (3) plus one 1-bedroom and one 4-bedroom ocean-view villa, which includes butler service. Some feature private verandas and terraces and others shoreline pavilions or gardens scented with jasmine and frangipani. All have easy access to the restaurant, Pavilion Bar, spa and gym - the concepts for each will be revealed imminently.
General Manager Kezang Dorji, originally from Bhutan, brings a sense of serene Himalayan hospitality to Eleuthera although he has much experience in the Caribbean as an integral member of the opening team at Parrot Cay by Como, and previously, as General Manager at La Bourgainvillea and Head of F&B at The Cove on Eleuthera.
While guests can also enjoy water sports such as paddle-boarding, kayaking and cruises at the island’s main port, the nearby Governor’s Harbour, The Potlatch Club has already also curated three itineraries for guests:
On the Water itinerary whisks guests to remote islands and pristine sandbars via a private boat charter, with activities including swimming with turtles, snorkeling trips to glimpse colorful reefs, waterside picnics and fishing.
The Beaches of Eleuthera is an immersion into the island’s 100+ beaches and its long, scalloped coastline, complete with a picnic lunch or visit to a local restaurant.
Harbour Island is the A-list resort just off the northeast coast of Eleuthera which offers charming local shops, plus buzzy bars and restaurants.
Rates are season-dependent: High Season Garden View Rooms start at $675 per night.
