Island Inspired!

March is the time for daydreaming about hot sun, endless beaches, and the chance to spend a week restricting decision making to the list of specialty cocktails at the swim-up pool bar....martini or margarita? A client of ours coined her yearly pilgrimages to the tropics as her ‘Annual Flake and Bake’, and the phrase says it all. A getaway to the Caribbean can be sublime rejuvenation for the spirit, and for the design-minded, a sunny source of inspiration. Through this recession, tap into those airmiles, and it may be worthwhile to take advantage of some of the specials your travel agent has to offer!

Photo courtesy www.carribeanmag.com

I received an email this week advertising some reduced rates for a destination that's definitely worth consideration. Atlantis, the luxurious resort in Paradise Island, Bahamas, is an upscale oasis for families with children, eye candy for designers, and a little slice of heaven for everyone else. Considered the largest island resort in the world, Plato’s lost Continent of Atlantis is the inspiration for this complex, a place of harmony and abundance. Guests would concede even Plato himself would be inspired by developer Sol Kerzner’s tropical masterpiece. Most of the photos of this destination are my own, so the beauty is au natural, no retouching needed!

An aerial view of Atlantis. Photo courtesy www.travelwithkids.com

The friendly staff at the Balinese-inspired Mandara Spa offer endless packages to pamper both men and women.

Premium indoor shops such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Cartier and Versace are located here.

The multiple amenities within the 171-acre resort include 23 restaurants (including 2 eateries run by celebrity chefs), 20 beach/swimming areas, a 30,000 square foot Balinese-inspired spa, an action packed casino, hip lounges, luxe shopping, the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, a world class marina, and a unique state of the art ‘Aquascape’ waterpark.

The stunning entrance to The Cove, one of the newest additions to the resort.

The original buildings depict the mythical Atlantis, with elaborate sculptures and rococo details, grand architecture and murals. With the vision of interior architect Jeffery Beers, Phase III of the Atlantis resort epitomizes the ultimate chic resort lifestyle with contemporary architecture. Opened in May of 2007, ‘The Cove’ is a 22- storey building with 600 suites. The strong , clean architectural lines, exotic woods, glass, smooth plaster and stonework combined with a luxurious neutral palette result in a space that is sumptuous modern relaxation.

lounge area in the lobby of The Cove.

Check your reservations for The Cove and enjoy this interesting wall of lights in the lobby.

Need a break from all this excitement? Come and relax!


Restaurant within Phase III of the resort.

Lastly, beyond the outstanding beaches, entertainment and accomodations Atlantis offers its guests, one of the features that must be mentioned is the fantastical modernist glass art of sculptor Dale Chihuly. Mr. Chihuly began his prolific career in the 60’s, and his work revolutionized the studio glass movement, as well as dramatically impacted the world of contemporary art with his organic, colourful, room-sized glass sculptures. His pieces embody the current modern trend of using bold colour, large scale, light, and organic shapes. Developer Sol Kerzner commissioned Chihuly to create 4 outstanding pieces for the resort, and they are here for you to enjoy....note the scale of these pieces is massive! To admire more of Dale Chihuly's work, click here.

Temple of the Moon
Crystal Gate, my personal favourite! Photo courtesy of http://www.chihuly.com/


Temple of the Sun

Atlantis Chandelier, which Chihuly describes as a departure from his typical work. Photo courtesy of http://www.chihuly.com/

If you're contemplating a visit to Atlantis Paradise Islands, click here.
If the Bahamas just isn't exotic enough for you, don't despair, there's more.....


How about Dubai? Sol Kerzner has just completed Atlantis 'The Palm', a second resort located in Dubai, which opened this past September.