by Alexis Wong, photography by Peter Wesley Brown

At the Marley Resort & Spa, don’t be shocked to see Rita joining you for dinner—it’s her house after all. NASSAU, BAHAMAS Imagine spending your vacation in the home of Bob Marley. In the Bahamas, it’s a possibility. Four years ago, Stephanie Marley, daughter of Rita and Bob Marley, decided to renovate the family’s holiday home in Nassau, Bahamas. But what evolved became much more. In June 2008, the Marley Resort & Spa opened, which Stephanie Marley refers to, as (hopefully) the first in a worldwide chain.

“The resort is an extension of the ‘One Love’ philosophy,” Marley explains, “it is an extension of our family home and we don’t sell rooms, but sell a feeling, offering an intimate journey to those who come to stay.”

Located on Cable Beach, the 16-room, boutique resort channels the Marley family spirit through its Afro-Caribbean inspired décor that includes hand-made African and Jamaican art pieces; a spa that draws from the inspiration of Mother Nature, and Cedella Marley-Booker’s (Bob’s mother) own spiritual healer, Sister Iyata; and a restaurant inspired by the family’s chef, Mama Lur (Lurline Pile).

The resort has a strong history. Rita and Bob visited Nassau in 1976, whilst recovering from an assassination attempt. To them, the island became a refuge, and as an extension, so did the home, which they purchased in 1982. For many years the Marley children spent their summers there, the perfect reprieve from the hills in Jamaica where they grew up, but then the house lay unoccupied as they followed their own paths. “We started to do renovations, in 2004, and it began to evolve into something we didn’t expect. We decided that we wanted to share this haven with everyone,” Stephanie says. While some have questioned their decision to open the fl agship Marley Resort in the Bahamas, Stephanie stresses that it was simply logistics as they already had the property. She does insist, however, that they are currently scouting possible locations for the next resort in the chain, with current sights set on Port Antonio.

But physical location aside, the resort speaks with a strong Jamaican accent, including the rooms and suites—Kaya, Kinky Reggae, One Love and Jammin’—which are named after Bob’s songs. Then there is also a global factor. The spa techniques are Afro-Caribbean and Asian, which marry with a water passage hydrotheraphy patio, and other Caribbean rituals; and the Simmer Down Restaurant pays tribute to all Caribbean fl avours, not just Jamaican. “The idea of ‘One Love’,” Stephanie says, “is more than a philosophy, but a way of life. The resort is our attempt to share our home, energy and vibes with the world, but we also hope that the brand will create its own legacy as it grows around the world.”

Marley Resort & Spa, West Bay
Street, Cable Beach, Nassau,
Bahamas. 242-702-2800.
www.marleyresort.com
Air Jamaica fl ies to Nassau from
Montego Bay every Sunday.

Exclusive Online Content on Page 2!