Paradise Island is an island of Bahamas, which is separated from the capital Nassau by a narrow inlet. It is completely built up with hotels and apartments and is therefore very touristy.
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| Paradise Island | ||
| Country | Bahamas | |
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| The search for a province ends with the state | ||
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
Originally this island was called Hog Island, 180 m from Nassau. It was used as a pig farm for the residents of Nassau. In the 17th century, William Sayle bought it from the British Crown for the equivalent of $ 294. It is 6.5 km long and no wider than 800 meters. In the first half of the last century it was only used by the nouveau riche for picnics on weekends. In 1939 the Swedish industrialist Dr. Axel Wenner-Gren with his yacht to Nassau. Due to the war he stayed, bought the Lynch Plantation on Hog Island, which he renovated. He had a canal dug across the shallow coral sand island, which he widened at one point to form a larger lake. He converted the plantation house belonging to this property into a guest house and named it "Shangri-La". A year before his death, he sold the entire system to New York railroad owner Huntingdon Hartford for £ 3.6 million. He invested a further 10 million US dollars in the expansion of the island, opened the exclusive 52 room hotel "Ocean Club" and named the island Paradise Island. In France he had a monastery demolished and rebuilt it in the Versailles garden, he had the golf course and the Hurricane Hole Marina built. He then sold the entire facility to the American company Mary Carter Paint Company, which Resorts International Hotels founded.
By 1985 Resorts International had built an airfield on the island and a bridge to Nassau. This included the Paradise Airline and four hotels on the island. At the height of its history, Resorts International owned over 25% of all hotel rooms in the entire Bahamas! In 1989 it was in debt of $ 913 million and filed for bankruptcy. Four years later, the South African group of Sol Kerzner "Sun International" took over 60% of the bankruptcy estate for 75 million US dollars. Within two years, another US $ 250 million was invested in the 1,150 room Atlantis Resort with 12 restaurants, a casino and the world's largest walk-in outdoor aquarium.
Over the years Paradise Island has developed so rapidly that in recent years a second bridge had to be built so that road traffic could run smoothly. Use of the bridge is chargeable.
In 2004, phase 3 of Sol Kerzner's construction activities began. Part of the canal across the island was filled in again. Another 1,500 room hotel was built. It is shaped like a Maya temple. The adjoining Marina Village houses shops and restaurants. Another golf course is to be built on Athol Island to the east. The airfield has disappeared again, where the Ocean Club residences are now being built along the entire east coast of the island as a self-contained luxury hostel with its own marina.
getting there
In the street
- A bridge connects this long, narrow island with Nassau, and since 1998 there have been two bridges. The bridges to Paradise Island are free for pedestrians, cars pay $ 1, taxis $ 2.
By boat
- Ferry from Bay Street in Nassau to the wharf on Casino Drive in Paradise Island. Departures every 30 minutes, travel time 10 minutes, price $ 3.
- Water taxi from Prince George Pier in Nassau to Paradise Island, $ 6
mobility
Rental car
- Avis Rent-A-Car, Paradise Island Harbor Hotel, Tel. 363-2061
- Budget, Atlantis Hotel, tel. 363-3095
Tourist Attractions
- Hotel towers of Atlantis. The hotel towers of Atlantis, which have more than 20 floors, can certainly be named as a sight. Opinions about the sense and nonsense of such monumental buildings are likely to be divided.
- Versailles Garden. Garden based on the French model.
- French monastery. The remains of this 13th century Augustinian monastery near Lourdes. The monastery was demolished stone by stone in France on behalf of the US millionaire H. Hartford and was originally rebuilt here.
activities
Boat charter
- Brown's Charter, based in Nassau, Tel. 324-2061
- Chubasco Charters, between the two bridges, Tel. 324-3474, Fax 364-1612. * http: // chubascocharters, com
- Island World Adventures, Tel. 363-3333, Fax 363-1657, Exuma Cays Day Trips, prices: $ 160-175.
- Nassau Cruise, is from Nassau, Tel. 363-3333, Fax 363-4401. Prices: Day trip: 45 US $.
- Paradise Ocean Sports, Tel. 393-0998, Fax 394-7542. Opening times: daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices: Party Cruise $ 55. * http://paradiseoceansports.com
- Seahorse Sailing Adventures, Hurricane Hole Plaza, Tel. 363-5510, Fax 363-5508
- Voyager Cruises, Hurricane Hole Marina, Tel. 363-4464
Parachute sailing
- Paradise Ocean Sports, Tel. 393-0998, Fax 394-7542. Opening times: daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices: $ 60 per person.
fishing
- Chubasco Charters, between the two bridges, Tel. 324-3474, Fax 364-1612.
- Paradise Island Charters, Hurricane Hole Marina, Tel. 363-4458. Prices: half day $ 500-700, full day $ 1,000-1,400. * http://paradiseislandcharters.com
golf
- Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island Drive, Tel. 363-6682. 18-hole course, par 72, 7,100 yards. Pro shop, restaurant, club rental. The private golf course was completely renovated in 2000 and the clubhouse was rebuilt.
Jet ski
- Paradise Ocean Sports, Tel. 393-0998, Fax 394-7542. Opening times: daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices: 30 minutes, 1 or 2 people, $ 70.
- Seahorse Sailing Adventures, Hurricane Hole Plaza, Tel. 363-5510, Fax 363-5508
Marinas
- > Hurricane Hole Marina, Tel. 393-3600, Fax 363-3604. 90 berths, bar, showers, ice cream, grill restaurant, pool, cleaning, ship chandlers, fuel and water.
- http://hurricaneholemarina.com
- Marina at Atlantis, Paradise Island Drive, Tel. 363-6068, Fax 363-6008. 63 berths. * http://atlantis.com
Racing boats
- Thriller Powerboat Tours, Hurricane Hole Plaza, Tel. 363-4685, Fax 363-2759
Diving
- Paradise Ocean Sports, Tel. 393-0998, Fax 394-7542. Opening times: daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices: $ 55 per person.
- Bahamas Divers, lobby, Paradise Island Harbor Resort,
Yacht charter
- Flying Cloud Catamaran Cruises, Paradise Island West Dock, Tel. 363-4430, Fax 363-4431. Prices: Half-day tour Monday through Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (excluding Monday mornings) $ 70, Sunday cruise on Sundays at 10 a.m. with food $ 85, Sunset cruise on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 p.m. $ 70. * http://flyingcloud.info
shop
- Hurricane Hole Plaza, Harbor Road, bank, shops, restaurants
- Marina Village at Atlantis Stores, Tel. 363-2000, around 20 shops and over ten restaurants
- Paradise Shopping Plaza, Casino Drive
- The Shops at Atlantis, shopping arcade
kitchen
- There are over 30 hotel restaurants in a very small space.
- Anthony´s Caribbean Bar & Grill, cheap Caribbean, Paradise Island Shopping Plaza, Tel. 363-3152, Fax 363-4253, open: daily from 7.30am to 11pm
- Columbus Tavern, national - medium price range, Paradise Harbor Marina, Tel. 363-5923, open: Monday to Friday from 11.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
- News Cafe, quick meals - cheap, Hurricane Hole Plaza, Tel. 363-4684, open: daily from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.
- The Blue Marlin, national - medium price range, Hurricane Hole Plaza, Tel. 363-2660, open: daily from 5 p.m.
- The Green Parrot, Hurricane Hole Plaza, Tel. 363-3633, Fax 363-4481
- Zio Gigi's, Hurricane Hole Plaza, Tel. 363-2403
nightlife
- Blue Marlin Bar, Hurrican Hole Plaza, Tel. 363-2660, open: 11 am-10pm, world record limbo dance group
- Columbus Tavern, Paradise Harbor Club, Tel. 363-2992, open: daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Oasis Lounge, Club Land`Or, Tel. 363-2400 open: daily from 4 p.m. to midnight, happy hour from 5 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
- Portside Bar & Grill, Hurricane Hole Marina, Tel. 363-3600, open: 12 noon-midnight
accommodation
- Atlantis Resort (Kerzner International) *****, Casino Drive, 3,375 room suites, Tel. 363-3000, Fax 363-6300. This hotel complex is currently divided into Beach Towers with 423 rooms; Coral Towers with 656 rooms; Royal Towers with 1201 rooms; The Cove Atlantis with 600 rooms and The Reef Atlantis with 495 studios and suites. The facilities include 35 restaurants, 15 bars, 11 pools with water slides, a shopping arcade, a health center, a children's club, a conference room for 2,700 people, an 18-hole golf course, a casino, an entertainment complex, 4 beaches, the world's largest open-air aquarium, and a water sports center. Bookings are possible with all major tour operators in Germany. * http://atlantis.com
- Bay View Suites, Best Western (ex Bay View Village) ***, 30 apartments and villas, Bay View Drive, Tel. 363-2555, Fax 363-2370. Poolside restaurant, pool bar, cafe, 3 pools, mini market, dry cleaning, tennis court, children under 12 free, German management. Location: next to Atlantis Resort, 6 minutes from the beach and 5 km from Nassau. Summer prices: Apartment $ 155, Villa $ 275-370; in winter: apartment $ 205, villa $ 370-525. * http://bwbayviewsuites.com
- Club Land`Or, 72 villa units, Paradise Lagoon, Tel. 363-2400-02, Fax 363-3403. Time share system. Restaurant, lounge, pool bar, fresh water pool, souvenir shop, fitness center.
- http://clublandor.com
- Comfort Suites ***, 228 Suites, 1 Paradise Island Drive / Casino Drive, Tel. 363-3680, Fax 363-2588. Restaurant, bar, pool bar, pool. Location: opposite the Atlantis Resort, 10 minutes' walk from the beach and 3 km from Nassau. Guests have access to all the amenities of the Atlantis Resort. * http://comfortsuitespi.com
- Harborside Resort at Atlantis, 392 Villas, Marina Drive, Tel. 363-6800, Fax 363-6810. Time-share facility of the Starwoods Group. Restaurant, bar, pool area, children's pool, fitness center, free shuttle bus to the Atlantis Resort. * http://harborsideresort.com
- One & Only Ocean Club (Kerzner International) *****, 106 rooms, Ocean Club Drive, Tel. 363-2501, Fax 363-2424. 2 restaurants, 3 bars, beach bar, pool, boutique, fitness center, bike rental, 6 floodlit tennis courts, 18-hole golf course, wellness center, fishing, beach, diving, water skiing. Location: in 14 hectares of former plantation, part of the Atlantis Resort.
- http://oneandonlyresort.com
- Paradise Island Beach Club (ex Marriott's Paradise Island), 44 Villas, Paradise Island Drive, Tel. 363-2523, Fax 363-2130. Time-share facility, Breezeway Cafe, 2 pools, Internet. * http://mypibc.com
- Paradise Island Harbor (ex Holiday Inn) ***, 245 rooms, Harbor Drive, Pirate's Cove, Tel. 363-2561, Fax 363-3803. All inclusive hotel. 3 restaurants, 2 bars, pool, souvenir shop, animation, boutique, disco, fitness center, kids club, mini golf, bike rental, 2 floodlit tennis courts, beach, diving. Location: 12 floors high-rise. * http://paradiseislandbahama.com
- RIU Paradise Island **** (ex Sheraton), 379 rooms, Casino Drive, Tel. 363-3500, Fax 363-3193. 4 restaurants, 3 lounges, 3 bars, fresh water pool, bike rental, health center, kids club, 4 floodlit tennis courts, night club, 5 km long beach, water sports. Location: next to the Atlantis Resort. * http://riu.com
- Sunrise Beach Club, 22 Villas, Casino Drive, Tel. 363-2234, Fax 363-2308. Grill restaurant, snack bar, 2 pools, beach. Summer prices: Apartment from $ 221; Winter: Apartment from $ 331 plus tax. * http://sunrisebeachclub.com
- The Ocean Club Residences and Marina (Kerzner International), Tel. 363-6645, Fax 363-6383. Completed hotel and villa complex around the golf course, partly on the site of the former airfield, the majority is still under construction. * http://oceanclubresidences.com
Practical advice
Banks
- British American Bank, Paradise Village Shopping Center, Tel. 363-4225, Fax 363-4229
- First Caribbean International Bank, Hurricane Hole Plaza, Tel. 363-3569, Fax 363-2146, ATM
- Royal Bank of Canada, between the bridges, 1 Marina Drive, Tel. 363-1407, Fax 363-1408, ATM
- Scotiabank, Paradise Island Shopping Center, Tel. 363-2591, Fax 363-2009, ATM
trips
Helicopter charter
- Paradise Island Helicopters, west of Paradise Island Bridge, Tel. 363-4016, Fax 363-5884.
- http://island-helicopters.com
- Island World Adventures, Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, 1 Marine Drive, Tel. 363-1000, Fax 363-4403. Speedboats to Exuma. Day trip price $ 200.
- http://islandworldadventures.com
