The Island House hotel - Nassau, Bahamas

Following a six-year stint in London – where she topped up her Sotheby’s MA with posts at Phillips de Pury and Carpenters Workshop Gallery – Bahamas native, Lauren Holowesko has returned home to launch Nassau’s first boutique hotel. Overseeing every detail of the ground up build while assembling an all-star team, Holowesko tagged chic Manhattan interiors firm, Champalimaud to direct the décor; then enlisted a general manager from the Conran Group and also snagged a chef from Melbourne hotspot, Chin Chin. Located just five minutes drive from the Lyford Cay Marina Club, Island House is set amongst 10-acres of tropical gardens, overlooking a courtyard pool. Scattered with pieces by Herman Miller, Formstella and Knoll, its pale palette is punched up by Holowesko’s striking selection of modern Bahamian art. The hotel is just a ten-minute taxi ride from the beach, but for those content to stay in, there is a bespoke running squash court, Anti Gravity Yoga studio, 48-seat art house cinema, full spa and a trio of diverse restaurants that ensures guests will never want to leave.