The Potlatch Club – Discover the Island Song in Your Heart
By Tim Cotroneo
Paul McCartney was at the height of his Beatles career in 1969 when he brought his wife, Linda, to the Potlatch Club for their honeymoon. McCartney was so inspired by the boutique hotel’s Bahamian island surroundings that he wrote two songs.
The current Potlatch owners have invested $30 million into today’s version of this luxury island retreat. Included in the hotel’s library interior are framed photos of Paul and Linda, as well as copies of McCartney’s original lyrics for “Oh Darlin’” and “Bathroom Window” penned on Potlatch stationary.
In 2024, the Potlatch Club reopened after sitting dormant for 40 years. An international clientele has rediscovered this beach resort tucked away on a palm tree laden 12-acre property. What guests discover is a wonderful mix of history, Caribbean island décor, and an elegant getaway in which privacy reigns supreme.
Yesterday Meets Today
Guests entering the Potlatch lobby, gift shop, and library will feel this sense of history. Owners Bruce Loshusan and Hans Febles retained whatever they could from the original property. This includes the checkered tile lobby floor, photos of the first owners, and a vintage piano paying homage to the musical inclination of the woman who helped bankroll the resort when it was a favorite of the elite back in the 60s and 70s.
The courtyard grounds, and winding paths leading to the suites, cottages, Pink Sands House, and Pineapple House, all are expertly manicured. Owner Febles comes from a construction background, and he also takes great pride in the landscaping of the Potlatch grounds. Febles landscape team planted 14,000 Seagrape shrubs and moved the palm trees on the property three times. Ever the perfectionist, Febles wanted the geometry and sustainability of the outdoor environment to be just right.
What elevates one’s Potlatch vacation is the beach that served as the spark for the current owners investment. “Our beach is seven miles long,” General Manager Kezang Dorji said. When asked the name of the beach, Dorji replied, “The actual name is Potlatch Beach, but I call it Nobody Beach. That’s because you can walk for miles and see no one.”
Bahamian Home Away from Home
Dorji has a decorated hospitality career, and he was lured from his native Bhutan to come back and work on Eleuthera, the Bahamian island where Potlatch resides. Dorji met the owners while working at another Eleuthera luxury resort almost a decade ago. Dorji admired the vision and the patience of Loshusan and Febles. “They didn’t want to rush The Potlatch Club. They felt the 2024 opening timing was just right,” Dorji said.
Dorji’s Bhutan homeland is known for its “happiness index.” This happiness mission is something Dorji’s team conveys to guests. “Our team does the small things. People can feel it if you live a life of gratitude. We put our heart into our work.”
As Dorji led some new guests toward their cottage, they noticed a bird that seemed oblivious to how close they were standing. Dorji smiled, and said, “That’s Fred. He is here every day. He calls The Potlatch Club is home.”
Style, History, and Al fresco Dining
The style, architecture, and attention to detail of your Potlatch accommodations and facilities are Caribbean chic. 24-hour butler service means your needs are attended to around the clock. Each of Potlatch’s 12 buildings offer the privacy and comfort guests expect and deserve.
The suites, cottages, and houses feature ceiling fans, pink coral stone floors, designer furniture, and original artwork. Guests love the quiet of their own individual dwelling, especially one offering the fresh comforts of today’s technology blended with the legacy of a property harkening back to a pineapple plantation from the 20s and a jet set haven from the 50s.
Eleuthera delivers year-round balmy temperatures which makes it a tranquil setting for a cocktail on your veranda, near the pool, on the beach, or under the stars. Potlatch’s Fig Tree Restaurant and Sand Bar are perfect environments for enjoying local catch of the day such as lobster, grouper, or snapper, as well as island fruits and vegetables delivered daily by Eleuthera island farmers.
The Luxury of Caribbean Space
The back steps of the lobby offer a magnificent view of the Potlatch property all the way to the white-sand beach and turquoise Atlantic Ocean. A guest visiting for the first time looked around and realized he saw no one other than Fred, the bird who had taken up residence at Potlatch. The visitor asked Dorji, “Where is everyone?”
Dorji smiled and said, “We are at full capacity. We max out at 28 guests total. What you are seeing and feeling is what guests love about Potlatch, the space,” Dorji said.
At a Bahamian luxury resort that sits on 12 acres and has seven miles of prime beachfront, who knew that “space” is the prized amenity. At an iconic Caribbean retreat with a history dating back almost 100 years, if Paul McCartney was inspired to write two songs, darlin’, maybe you can write one. https://www.thepotlatchclub.com/
