Tucked away on the unspoiled island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, The Potlatch Club stands as a luxury boutique hotel, carefully restored to its original splendour.
In 2016, Bruce Loshusan and Hans Febles discovered The Potlatch Club during a beach walk, unveiling not just a hidden treasure but also its storied history. The resort had deteriorated in the eighties and was overtaken by the jungle. However, recognizing its potential, Bruce and Hans purchased the 12-acre property, which is adjacent to a pristine pink sand beach and a crystal-clear ocean.
The true narrative of The Potlatch Club was unveiled, established in 1967 by three socialites from the East Coast, Diana Adams, Elizabeth Fitzgerald, and Marie Driggs, who attracted royalty, celebrities, film stars, and musicians to the shores of Eleuthera.
During the 1960s and ’70s, The Potlatch Club served as an exclusive private retreat for British royalty and celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Raymond Burr, and Greta Garbo, who visited not only to unwind but also to celebrate. It even hosted Sir Paul McCartney’s honeymoon, during which he was inspired to write at least two Beatles songs on The Potlatch Club’s notepaper, including ‘Bathroom Window’ and ‘Oh! Darling (I’ll never do you no harm)’.
The Potlatch Club’s name is derived from a Northwest Native American ceremonial feast where possessions are given away or destroyed to display wealth and prestige. This ethos of opulence and generosity was the hallmark of the club during its heyday.
The club undertook a seven-year renovation, converting the neglected estate into a breath taking oceanfront retreat. Four of the estate’s original structures have been conserved and renovated, maintaining their historical allure while incorporating contemporary luxury.
The restoration of the Potlatch Club began with the clearing of the jungle that had overtaken all 12 acres, determining which buildings could be salvaged and restored, and which were too far gone. Bruce and Hans then developed their masterplan and designed new structures to harmonize with the landscape, taking care to remove as few mature trees as possible. The outcome is a stunningly exotic resort that appears to have been part of the scenery for decades, which is nearly accurate.
The inaugural structure on The Potlatch Club estate, built in 1923, was a modest two-bedroom house during the time the estate served as a pineapple plantation. Subsequent additions from 1947 to 1965 included several buildings, many of which have undergone restorations surpassing their original splendor. These include the Clubhouse, The Pineapple House—now a four-bedroom villa—and Pink Sands Cottage, our exquisite honeymoon villa with ocean views.
The Sri-Lankan born architect, Ray James Holman Nathanials, introduced modernism to the Caribbean in the 1960s with these buildings, which have inspired the more recent additions overseen by Hans Febles. A hand-painted mural by Nathanials is preserved in the current staff quarters and is available for viewing upon request.
The glamour is enhanced by striped awnings, white walls, coral pink stone floors, and bathrooms, along with pastel hues, creating a relaxed yet upscale beach ambiance.
The Potlatch Club offers accommodations ranging from historic suites to new garden cottages, oceanfront cottages, and villas. Each space is meticulously adorned with designer furnishings, unique art, and opulent amenities. Select rooms boast private verandas or terraces, and some provide access to beachside pavilions or aromatic gardens filled with jasmine and frangipani.
The club’s amenities offer a complete luxury experience. Guests can indulge in the Fig Tree restaurant’s seasonal farm-to-table and sea-to-table organic dishes, unwind in the spa, swim in the pool, and work out in the gym. The Pavilion Bar is the perfect spot for savouring delicious cocktails while taking in the breath taking ocean and sunset views.
With so much space and so few guests, staying at The Potlatch Club has always felt like an exclusive private party and that sense of relaxing amongst friends continues to this day, but always with the option of retreating into your very own private space