Bahamas / The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas

Opened in the 1960s, this island institution continues to meld a laid-back Bahamian vibe with Versailles-inspired gardens, buttoned-up personal butlers and martinis on demand.

A martini bar and lounge sets the scene at this distinctive resort that featured in not one but two James Bond movies – Thunderball and Casino Royale. It also houses the ruins of a 12th century monastery rescued and shipped from France by William Randolph Hearst in the 1920s.

The Michelin-starred cuisine by Jean-Georges Vongerichten in open-air Dune on its white sand bluff exceeds the wildest culinary dreams, as does gourmet private dining on the beach or in the serene terraced gardens with their revered marble statuary. Expect equally transformative experiences at the spa with its Balinese-style treatment villas – the Bahamas Rhythm treatment uses mindful breathing and the vibration of percussive instruments to take you out of yourself while opening new energy channels. Meanwhile, the resort’s 18-hole, par 72 golf course – designed by the legendary Tom Weiskopf – will take your breath away with its Atlantic and Nassau Harbour views at every turn. For views from an alternative vantage, some choose to charter yachts for day sails to private outer islands, or hire a seaplane for an airborne safari.

Travel notes:

• 107 rooms, suites, plunge- pool villas and infinity-pool villa-residences
• Excursions including local rum experiences and powerboat adventures
• Diving and snorkelling including Tongue of the Ocean sorties
• Complimentary yoga, tabata, Pilates, cycling, tennis and paddle boarding
• Family, infinity and adults-only swimming pools
• Complimentary kids’ clubhouse with indoor and outdoor activities