In November, our interns sat down with one of our valued trust members, The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas represented by Viktoria Riley. Viktoria, who serves as President of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in Florida is the Resort’s Director of Marketing since 2016. In this role she oversees all the commercial operations for the resort, based out of the satellite sales office in Boca Raton. She has a team of 18, some based in the same office, some working remote in the US and 3 members of the team are onsite at the resort on Paradise Island, Nassau. Viktoria was also recently appointed Honorary Consul to Sweden in the State of Florida and is well known in the Swedish community. Our conversation gave us a glimpse into the fascinating history of this luxury resort, a sought-after destination by both the wealthy and the aspirational traveler and into Viktoria’s world working with the high-end customer.
The story of The Ocean Club began in 1939 when Swedish industrialist and founder of Electrolux and one of the world’s wealthiest men at the time, Axel Wenner-Gren, discovered the island’s natural beauty. Over two decades he transformed what was called at the time “Shangri-La”, his stunning private estate featuring gardens inspired by the Palace of Versailles into a beautiful home he shared with his wife Marguerite. In 1959, A&P supermarket heir Huntington Hartford II purchased the island, renaming it Paradise Island and transforming it into a glamorous international resort with 52 rooms. Known for his playboy lifestyle Hartford frequently hosted celebrities like Frank Sinatra and the resort quickly became a playground for the jet set. The “Bal du Paradis” grand opening in 1962 was a success featuring guests like Zsa Zsa Gabor and Benny Goodman. Hartford’s vision was to create a refined resort that was both accessible and sophisticated.
The Versailles Pool. Photo: Slim Aarons, 1963
“I came to the conclusion that most famous resorts fell into one of two categories:
“Private and dull or public and cheap”
– Huntington Hartford II
Ultimately Hartford ended up spending two years and a comparable sum valued at $200 million today on his ambitious project. The property attracted numerous celebrities and notable guests over decades, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for luxury and relaxation. If the walls could talk we could hear some of the most interesting stories from times gone by.
The Ocean Club’s iconic status continued to grow over the decades. The resort made cinematic history as a setting for James Bond’s Casino Royale with scenes shot at the Martini Bar, Versailles Gardens, and the Villa Residences. In 2013, Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street also filmed scenes here.
James Bond, Casino Royale filmed at The Martini Bar, The Ocean Club, 2006 Photo: MGM/Eon/Danjaq
Today, guests can still meet Keith Cash, the resort’s head bartender, who created the Bond inspired Vesper Martini for the film. He has been working at the Martini Bar for 39 years and Viktoria often takes Keith on the road to luxury travel trade shows mixing up cocktails and the signature Vesper Martini of course.
Keith Cash with guests in the Martini Bar. Photo: Christian Horan, 2023
In 2017, Four Seasons took over management of The Ocean Club from One&Only, initiating a series of renovations including the current renovation of the Martini Bar to enhance the resort’s offerings while retaining the original style. Apart from property development, The Ocean Club under Four Seasons and Viktoria’s management, has established multiple collaborations, including partnerships with French brand Jacquemus this past summer and Palm Beach based Stubbs & Wootton, the latter designing loafers inspired by the resort and The Martini Bar. In 2025 Viktoria and the Resort Team are planning an activation centered around the Versailles Pool.
The Versailles Pool Today. Photo: Christian Horan, 2023
An upcoming major development, set to be finished in 2027, will introduce 67 permanent residences for sale ($6-$35 Million per unit) featuring amenities such as private pools, beachfront villas, and full access to the resort’s exclusive facilities.
The Ocean Club Residences opening 2027
For Viktoria, The Ocean Club’s Swedish connection through Wenner-Gren adds a unique layer to her work, inspiring her to preserve and celebrate the rich legacy of the resort. With over eight years in her role, she continues to reimagine the resort’s concepts while keeping its history at the forefront of each initiative. She oversaw the resort’s majestic 60th Anniversary Celebrations and spearheaded the project of the Resort’s first Coffee Table Book “The Ocean Club”, a collaboration with ASSOULINE Publishing House in New York. Her dedication to highlighting this heritage, along with her ties to Sweden, reinforces The Ocean Club’s role as a valued trust member of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in Florida.
The Ocean Club Coffee Table Book, a collaboration between the resort and ASSOULINE launched in 2023 and is sold at the resort or via Assouline Online.
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