ABACO ISLAND: BAREFOOT LUXURY IN THE BAHAMAS

About an hour flight from south Florida will land you in Marsh Harbour, located on the glorious and laid-back Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. There you'll find the Abaco Club on Winding Bay, situated majestically on a spectacular peninsula with more than two miles of a secluded powder-soft white sand beach. Although this is member's private international sporting club, guests are invited to stay there (up to 3 visits), where you'll escape from the "big resort" hustle and bustle and enter into a secluded piece of paradise, almost like your very own private island. Aside from its gorgeous natural setting, one of the most exceptional aspects of The Abaco Club is its stunning luxury real estate. Exceptional architecture and a wide selection of luxurious island home options make it easy to own a slice of paradise. Private residences range from cozy one-bedroom cabanas and charming cottage villas to grand oceanfront estate homes.

Originally opened in 2004 by visionary developer Peter de Savary,the property was sold to a Marriott affiliate in 2008 and rebranded as a Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. Then in 2011 David Southworth of Southworth Development visited and saw that the club was in need of some serious renovations. In December 2014 the property was acquired by Southworth Development and renovations immediately began to make The Abaco Club the premier private club community anywhere in the tropics; infusing more than $10 million to take this world-class favility to an even higher level. In the near future, plans also call for the launching of the club's marina and boat slips, just a few minutes down the road in Little Harbour. The creation of an on-property market, expanded food and beverage offerings and upgrading of the club's spa and fitness facilities will soon follow."

The Abaco Club spa offers a wide range of signature therapeutic treatments, including their signature Royal Hibiscus Facial and Bahamian Rhythmic Therapy. The Club's Fitness Center features state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment as well as sunrise workout sessions on the beach and personal training sessions. The resort-style pool, located high on Ocean Point ridge overlooks Winding Bay and a popular place to host cocktail parties. The main attraction here is the golf course. Designed by British course architects Donald Steel and Tom Mackenzie, the picturesque Scottish-style tropical links course is set against the sea – with rugged rocks, sloping greens and lush flora throughout. The golf course at The Abaco Club has been consistently ranked as one of the top courses in the Caribbean and Mexico." As for dining, Flippers Beach Bar, an open-air restaurant, welcomes you with made-to-order breakfast and lunch. During your stay, be sure to experience their barbecue night on Wednesday, so you can mingle with other guests and club members, complete with dancing to "Rake 'n Scrape" live music and a Bahamian performance. In the evenings, cocktails and dinner are served at The Cliff House overlooking Winding Bay. Local favorites include fresh lobster, blackened grouper and conch chowder. Private dining is also offered with a private chef available for a romantic dinner for two or a fun dinner party for 20 of your closest friends.

While visiting, be sure to embark on a leisurely sail, or hop on the ferry to visit one of the numerous nearby cays surrounding the island or visit the famous beachside Pete's Pub which is known for serving the best seafood on the island. In particular, Great Guana Cay displays a beautiful 7-mile stretch of beach spotted with local shops and outdoor eateries.

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