With temperatures dropping and holidays approaching, tropical islands begin to creep to the forefront of everyone's minds. While most prefer utopian the Bahamas' Harbour Island with its pink sand beach and turquoise water in the winter months when temperatures are milder, we just got back from a blissfully sweltering summer trip there!
Having grown up spending spring breaks and New Year's Eves on Harbour Island, there is a nostalgia we have for this tiny island that was further cemented when Mary was married there four and a half years ago. The wondrous thing about Harbour Island is that it hasn't really changed all that much in the last few decades. Golf carts are still the main mode of transport, roosters and wild horses roam freely, and the three mile pink sand beach is free from massive chain resort hotels. And we want it to stay that way.
One of the biggest changes on the island in recent history is the transfer of ownership, renovation and redesign of Dunmore Beach Club hotel, unveiled last holiday season as The Dunmore. The Dunmore Beach Club was our favorite hotel on the island due to its plum location on the pink sand beach Harbor Island is famous for, as well as its old school, preppy vibe. It also had a special place in our hearts as it was the scene of Mary's wedding. Safe to say we were nervous that the laid back, sun and salt bleached ease and comfort of the former property would have been renovated away and The Dunmore would be transformed into some uber sleek personality-less beach hotel.
Not so! Happily, the massive renovation and upgrade embraces and celebrates the property's history and The Dunmore oozes its charm as before, just with a more fabulous and inspired look and feel. Interior design darling Amanda Lindroth has infused the entire property with a chic, clean sophistication while maintaining the nostalgic island feel. In the guest cottages, sea fans adorn Lucite coffee tables, John Robshaw ikat prints are used throughout and Molton Brown products perfume the sea air, all culminating in the epitome of breezy chic barefoot elegance. The pool and open air pool pavilion are the two biggest and most dramatic additions. One of the hardest decisions we made day to day was whether to lounge in the black and white cabana striped lounge chairs poolside or beneath a sea green umbrella steps below on the sand!
Each morning began with the complimentary breakfast on the beachfront patio, and each evening we chose to have our sunset Goombay Smash rum drinks at the hotel bar chattering with the staff who feel more like old family friends. Another big change The Dunmore has made is allowing for a la carte dining rather than an imposed rate including all meals. This is an extremely welcome change as while lunch and dinner at The Dunmore are divine and there are several other fun and delicious restaurants on the island it would be a shame to miss.
We almost regret letting you all know how absurdly fantastic the new Dunmore is. We really do. Our perfect little island retreat exposed. Lucky you.
