Imagine waking up every day to the smells of fresh coconuts and the beauty of crystal blue water stretching over 96 acres of pristine white sand—this heavenly place is actually a reality called Kamalame Cay. This majestic island in the Bahamas embodies the essence of style, luxury, and beauty that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Brian and Jennifer Hew, a married couple originally from Jamaica, wanted to create a getaway that would live on for generations. The couple says the growing crime rate in Jamaica intensifying in the 1970s led them to escape to the Bahamas every year with their family for a vacation. After falling in love with the Bahamian culture and lifestyle, they purchased a small piece of land on which they built a home that quickly became their safe haven. Their perfect island spot made them yearn for more, and they made plans to purchase a larger piece of property.
They dove in and purchased the sprawling property and created what became Kamalame Cay. The island is named after the Kamalame tree, but the word also means love. It is this love that you can see in every detail of the property. When they first bought the island it took massive crews to bring over supplies for building. There were no coconut trees there so they brought over 4,000 coconuts and planted the trees themselves. The resort was built between 1994 and 1998, and it took an army of people to make what is now the luxury resort. The 5-star restaurant and resort of Kamalame Cay is a favorite to various celebrities such as Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz.
The Hews have since passed the torch to their son, David Hew, who is now Operations Manager of the island, along with his boyfriend, Michael King, who is Manager. The pair brings a fresh artistic approach to the resort. David studied at the University of Miami and held a position at the famed Hamilton’s Art Gallery in London. Michael, who is originally from Australia, was owner of The Kontent Group, which published FQ and SIR magazines of style for him and her. As CEO and Group Creative Director for those publications, Michael developed the artistic flair that is now being used at Kamalame Cay.
David and Michael’s backgrounds and knowledge of the art and fashion industries can be seen throughout the special details of the property. They aim to infuse creativity in every aspect of the resort from the Asian fusion, five-star restaurant, extensive wine program, and cookie jars left out each night. If the story of the Hews and their decision to open the resort don’t tempt you to take the trip, perhaps the details of the luxury that awaits you will.
For some, the private nature of the island might make the journey seem unnerving, but is fairly simple, and embodies the adventure that awaits you. The best way to Kamalame Cay is via Nassau to Andros. Once you arrive at Andros, you are a 10-minute cab ride to the dock where a white ferry awaits. The Kamalame Cay staff will welcome you with fresh-squeezed orange juice and rum the moment you arrive.
It is not long after your first sip of rum that you forget about your cell phone and email. It’s easy to embrace the laidback lifestyle as you become unplugged and take in the magical spell the island casts upon you. Time seems to stop as the ferry starts and you drift into 500 yards of snowcone, blue bliss. There is no check-in or bags to worry about as everything is taken care of, and you get an adorable pink golf cart as your chariot for your days on the island. The cart is your transportation that delivers you to your private bungalow, each of which are named after plants that inhabit the island.
If you still aren’t completely relaxed by the resort’s beauty and luxury, the spa staff is ready to ease all your troubles away. They have massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, and more to cure all that ails you. All of these services are included in the nightly rate, and help to make visitors feel completely comfortable and content while on the island.
The cottages are reminiscent of something out of Robinson Caruso, but with huge, vaulted, dark mahogany, wood ceilings, which stand thirty feet high, the rustic beauty quickly reveals itself as not a storybook tree house, but a getaway for the ultra wealthy. Taking in the surroundings, you realize there is a stone staircase that leads up to a Jacuzzi tub overlooking the bedroom, which adds to the dwelling’s fantasy feeling.
No detail of the space was overlooked as it was designed by the genius of lead architect, Jennifer Hew. She says most of her inspiration came from the West Indies. There is also a hint of Asian flair scattered throughout and authentic Bahamian decor. Hew says she wanted to create a laidback family style approach to vacationing that wouldn’t compromise style.
If you’re ready for a completely peaceful getaway without tourist traps and noisy vendors, pack your bags for the tranquil luxury that awaits you at Kamalame Cay. We’ll save a daiquiri for you.
