I actually managed this resort in 1984-1985. At the time, the area shown on the video was a pristine beach with a small snack bar and sailfish rentals. The main resort is located directly across the street and was at the end of a beautiful palm lined drive. It had 3 wings fanning out in different directions with a beautiful pool and was located just south of the golf clubhouse with the driving range between the two. It was a gorgeous property but its location on the southwest of the island was too far away for taxis to want to service and too far away from the casinos.I returned this January and saw everything this video shows and explored the old main hotel and clubhouse as well which has fallen into the same ruin. Unfortunately, that part of the island also took a direct hit from a major hurricane which helped accelerate the scene of ruin and explains the sad state of the beautiful palm trees.This was my first GM position and I absolutely loved the people of the Bahamas.
Greg Hoover Thanks for sharing. I did wonder about the people who used to work there and what they would think if they saw it today. It was all quite sad really. It wasn't until after I filmed that I learned more about the place. So I was unable to explore the other parts you mentioned.
Greg Hoover thanks for adding to this fabulous video. What a sad shame. One of the best explore videos I’ve seen. Can only imagine what it was like for you to revisit after being at one with it in its prime.
I think the show band I was in opened the flamingo club around 1987. Was this the Divi in Nassau? What a shame if it was. This place changed my life!! I lived there for 6 weeks. The first of which was lounging by the pool and learning how to dive because the club was not yet open and our gear was stuck in customs!! I was 22 :-)
Greg, Thanks for the input. My dad and some other investors bought the property in 1984. Unfortunately it needed way to much work.I believe they sold it around 1988. My family had two great vacations in 85 and 86. It is rather upsetting to me to see such a beautiful property in such ruin. I still recall the house band "The Duke Smith Affair " and Jose the bartender and his signature drink "The Bulldozer".
My wife and I were married at South Ocean in November 1998, not long before it was shuttered. We'd stayed there a few times in the years before, SCUBA diving with the Stuart Cove's Dive South Ocean operation next door. This makes me very sad to see the resort left to rot. It was a beautiful, quiet, inexpensively luxurious place back in the day, far from the casinos (a plus to many!) and the throngs of tourists.
My dad taught me how to scuba dive in the pool and to play golf at the original golf course that was across the road from the beach before the hotel and resort was ever there in 1976. I met Bobby Orr one day when we were there, what a thrill for a young Canadian lad. There were a couple of local bars and restaurants and some residential properties and not much else out there in those days. the beach was endless and all ours.
My wife and I stayed here for our anniversary in 1996, Great ocean views and all rooms were ocean front. I played the golf course a few times and enjoyed it. Sorry to see it in such disrepair. I know it is far from the casinos but this is the allure. Quiet, peaceful and golf for a great stay
Wow.. Just wow. We stayed here as a family of 5 over the New Year holiday in 2001/2002. My co-worker stayed elsewhere recently and wasn't happy with their experience so I was trying to look up South Ocean Beach Resort and I came upon this video! I'm SO very disappointed!! I'd ALWAYS wanted to go back. It was just a gorgeous place. Off the beaten path, way less congested and so incredibly peaceful. My young son and I rang in the new year sitting on the beach stairs there in front of our room, letting the waves crash into us at midnight. Our room was on the first floor with double doors that opened right onto the sand with the ocean's edge merely feet away. My daughter and I lounged on a hammock under the most divine and enormous palm trees. My oldest son buried me in the sand right outside our door. He also brought his skate board and skated around that fountain at the entrance for hours. The only negative thing about our time there was the fact that he left his board at the fountain to go grab a drink and it was stolen moments after he left. lol. Someone acquired a nice board. The people were awesome. We actually met a woman who was trying to earn money for her children's meal that night so we packed them up and brought them to town to McDonalds. You'd have thought they were just given filet mignon. The pool was crystal clear, and there was a gift/souvenir shop located right next door with parrots outside that the kids just loved. Walks down the beach without a soul around, gorgeous clear turquoise ocean water, the most wonderful flowers, shrubs and architecture. It pains me to see this video and what's happened to this very very special place. I do see how it would struggle being off the beaten path with many vacationers choosing a more active, fun place. I'm sure the hurricane put the final nail in its coffin but my Lord, if I had about $10million hanging around, Id revive that place and market it as adult only and include free shuttles to town. This really was a magical place for us. I'm glad I have pictures and memories. I just wish we would've gotten to go back just once more before time, disrepair and mother nature stole it away.
I stayed here back in February 1999 for my honeymoon. I vividly remember the beach being so peaceful and quiet. Exactly what I wanted. The golf course was fabulous as well. We stayed at the main resort and got shuttled to the beach every day. I do remember having trouble getting a ride back from downtown if the jitneys stopped running. I remember one cab driver saw about 10 of us waiting outside the casino (when jitneys should have been running) and gave us a ride home in his van. We tipped him handily for the ride back.
It was Divi Divi in the early '90's... Spent 4 years vacationing their and playing golf from 1990-1993. What a hidden treasure I thought I had found. Use to play golf and spend time at the beach during the day, then go into town at night to the Crystal Palace Casino, have dinner and gamble a little... After those years, my wife & I started staying at the Breezes All-Inclusive once my son was born... Great memories gone forever of that side of the island and the Crystal Palace hotel and casino, which is no longer there either...
I stayed here with my girlfriend and loved it. It was a bit out of the way but that made it better. It is shame to see it like this but really appreciate the walkthru. I stayed on second floor above the voleyball court, enjoyed the snorkeling right outside our door. I used to get up really early and get coffee and baked goods at the golf course and the hotel workers used to drive me back to my suite at the beach by golf cart every day. I would surprise my girlfriend with coffee in bed as there was no room service for breakfast.
Legends of the Hidden Temple, a Nickelodeon game show from 93-95, gave away a trip to this resort as a grand prize for completing the final temple run in one episode. That's how I initially heard of this resort and decided to look it up since it didn't say exactally where it was located but looked beautiful. This was an episode from 93 or 94. I was surprised to discover it in this condition, and is a shame. But it sure was a magnificent looking place in the 90s when the show was filmed.
We flew into Nassau for 9 years and stayed at the South Ocean Beach HOtel. We loved this place and were so saddened when they closed it. It was gorgeous and we stayed beach side every year and my husband played golf almost daily on our 2 week vacation. The people were wonderful and genuine. We would take the city bus into the city every other day or so. No problem! Some of the rooms were time share. Wonder what happened to that part. We made many memories and friends there over the years. Saddened..
What I found s so fare www.worldpropertyjournal.com/latin-america-commercial-news/bahamas-greg-norman-south-ocean-resort-southern-cross-development-casino-roger-stein-plainfield-asset-management-max-holmes-canadian-pension-plan-7588.php
My sister and I grew up spending most of our family vacations at South Ocean from about 1979 to 1991. It truly was a magical place and we really enjoyed the fact that it wasn't on the 'main drag' of Cable Beach or Paradise Island. It's such a lovely, quiet corner of New Providence and its such a shame that it has fallen into ruins. My parents bought into the Sandpiper time share around 1980 and ended up losing their investment when both the hotel and timeshare shut down. I have fond memories of the South Ocean staff as well as Mrs. Gay...the lovely Bahamian woman who sold straw hats, purses in front of the hotel. Great memories! I hope someone redevelops the property again at some point.
we have the same memories as we bought into the timeshare in 1982. We even went to church on Easter Sunday with Mrs. Gay! Loved our condo being right on the beach! Always thought the old hotel was like something out of a movie. Enjoyed being at less busy end of the island!! Sonja
@@buzz2130 I heard Albany recently acquired the abandoned property about two years ago before the COVID lockdown. I heard they were going to demolish the old buildings and build new highrise condos.
We had a great time there on a golf vacation with friends in the early 2000's we still talk about that trip. We were escaping a cold north winter that year. We loved that it was out of the crowded area of the other side of the island. We went over one day to do the usual tourist things over there but were glad we picked the quiet side. The staff was so friendly & helpful. While the resort food was very good the staff gave us some local places that were great & fun to eat more local. Very sad to see this, I prefer an alternative to the mega complexes, but obviously that takes some aggressive marketing.
So sad. My family came here for many years. We used to go to the timeshare next door called the Sandpiper since I was a baby and we occasionally stayed here. We would always swim in the pool shown. Such fond memories of this place. What a beautiful place this used to be.
This reminds be so much of the hauntingly beautiul abandoned resort we came across when we were in Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. Similar to this one in the Bahamas ,it was on the pristine coast-line outside of Merida near a bird sanctuary but very far away from most transportation, so much so that taxis and shuttles buses were almost impossible to get. We met the care-takers there who very kindly took us around for a tour. Apparently, the death knell for this place was a serious food poisoning incident. They had bbq's on the beach but it was very windy. The meat was not cooked properly as the flames were always being blown out. Canadians on tour had to be evacuated as they got so sick. Such a shame as like this place in the Bahamas it was a stunning location right on the beach with wonderful facilities. Thanks for sharing this insight into the down-side of the travel industry. I suspect as with restaurants, there is always a degree of failure. Of course, the threat of hurricanes doesn't help either!!
And now with Covid the entire industry is in jeopardy. Me and my wife have been trying to plan our yearly vacation for our family and almost every place we contact at any resort town be it Florida, Bahamas, Mexico, Hawaii, everywhere, are telling us if things don't improve they might not make it past June. So sadly in the next few years we may see many more abandoned places like this in beautiful places around the world, even in the best of lacations.
That is and must have been gorgeous at one time. Wish somebody would restore it :( beautiful design, pool, beach, love the archways. Real shame. But thanks so much for sharing this, wow! It looks like paradise IN paradise !
@@khurramh6 i stayed at he South Ocean for a week every year, back in the late 90's to early 2000's.. I always stayed beach side.. not in the main hotel. We'd wander over to stuart coves, the wander back.. enjoy conch fritters, swim some, wait for the lady to come walk down the beach and do my braids.. listen to her talk about her family.. she did my hair every year .. find sand dollars.. and just enjoy this place.. Every year i check to see, has it been renovated.. there was no place like it.
My wife and I also stayed on our honeymoon there. So sad to see this now we were always wanted to go back and show our kids where we stayed. We fell in love with the islands on that trip. Just never had the money to return. Loved the feel of being away from the casinos and all that. It was really peaceful and got the sense of true island time there.
Stayed there for our honeymoon in 2002, we had a room on the ground level looking right at the beach, wooded shutters for windows, you could hear the ocean all night long and nothing else! It was amazing! I think Greg Norman bought it shortly after that but not sure, sad to see it like this but glad we got stay there when we did!
I am fascinated by these abandoned places as well...although this isn’t your usual genre, it should be....because your video is far better than 99% of all the other ghetto exploration videos on RUclips. It was hauntingly beautiful, and an obvious victim of a Hurricane. I was amazed by the drone shots, music, and the sporadic “before” pictures....that had great impact throughout the video. This seems like prime real estate....the views were amazing....thanks for the tastefully done treat.
I actually stayed at this resort probably around the year 2001 or so..... The pictures i have from that vacation are such a contrast to what became of the hotel. I remember it as such a beautiful place. So sad.
I figured eventually someone who had stayed there would see this video. It did seem such shame as it was in such a great location with regards to the beach. However it seems to be completely on its own compared to everything else.
I was there in 1989. What was the name of the hotel? My friend from college was a native and she'd drop me off at either this hotel or one by the casino the 2 weeks I stayed with her. Her family owns the Shane's stores.
This wasn't the main part of the hotel, this was the time share area of what was once Divi Bahamas South Ocean. I stayed there several times during the 90's. The actual hotel was inland 1/2 mile and was much larger. I can see the area where the actual hotel used to be on some of your drone shots. The area you covered was open to hotel guests as well but wasn't the actual hotel. The hexagon shaped building by the pool was where meals were prepared and you could walk up to a counter and order a burger (really good) from there and eat it poolside. I loved this place. Ramada took it over from Divi and from there it went downhill as it was poorly managed from what I experienced. There was a big effort to get people to go to the timeshare sales pitch lunches but I was only there to dive with the Peter Hughes operation who worked with Divi. Back then the diving there was really good but not so good anymore as way too many people visit this island. I was there before the internet and cell phones so not too many people knew about this resort Next time you're in the area you should try to shoot the actual hotel, I would love to see what is left. I remember the restaurant at the hotel was really good. It overlooked their gold course and the food was out of this world. When Ramada took over the food was just so so. Really good memories made there!
Unbelievable, my husband and I stayed there in 2002, but we had been going to that side of the island for years to use the beach between the resort and Stuarts Cove. We had a timeshare on Paradise Island. We always rented a car. Not a lot of vacationers do that because they drive on the other side of the road than in the US. The place was gorgeous. When we decided to spend a week there in 2002 it was starting to lose tourists, I think primarily because of Atlantis. The beach there was perfect and the sunsets incredible. There was only a golf course and restaurant for any other entertainment you had to drive across the island to the shows and casino. Once on the beach by Stuart Cove 5 or 6 huge shrunk wrapped bags of coke floated in. We got out of there fast. Did not want to have anything to do with that. Perhaps that is another reason for the closing. Sad.
Wow! That's quite a story from the past! I guess we don't realize how much maintenance and care goes into a beach front resort of this size. They go downhill much faster than I would expect. It looked like 90 percent of the rubble on the floor everywhere was simply the fallen ceiling material, sheetrock. Imagine what a difference there would be had they just used cheap plywood. But I can't imagine anyplace like that holding up for long facing hurricanes.
I lived in the Bahamas in the 80's this was not yet built on the beach. It was a nice resort but too remote for most people so I can understand why it ultimately failed as was the strange fate of Coral Harbor. I remember a horse show on the open grounds behind the beach.
I’ve lived on the Texas Gulf Coast almost my whole life. The one thing you know growing up is : never build something you don’t mind loosing to a storm. Plus it’s a constant fixer upper with the salt air. So saying this who cares. Every place you live has pros& cons.
My chef was cooking at a popular resort on Eleuthera when management came in one day to tell them they were closed. Pack up and get out. The place was stripped to the walls in under a week. Apparently someone wasn’t paying off someone else on time.
Myself and my husband stayed here twice. In 2000 for our honeymoon and again in 2004. Our 2nd child was conceived here in one of those ocean front rooms. I can't tell you how sad I am to see it like this. One of the things we loved about it was because it was away from the noise and crowds of Cable Beach and Paradise Island. We loved the quiet. We were able to truly relax. That room above the bar was a game room. The views were just breathtaking because there was nothing around. We loved it so much and had hoped to go back for a third trip but obviously that can't happen now. :-(
That's a nice story with a sad ending. You know when I was walking around I kept thinking of all the people who had stayed there and what they would think if they saw it now.
My family owned a timechair here... The reason why its abandoned is because they mixed in sand with the concrete. its just sad to see our family vacation spot in ruins.
Lars lotus I was just saying.. I thought it was a cool and different video from this channel and I actually enjoyed it. I get where you are coming from but I thought it was a nice video not just commenting on the actual place.
Such a shame to see the destruction there it leaves a bad view for the island now it's abandoned. Spoils the atmosphere and views. Probably would have been better to have raised it to the ground. So sad.....
Apparently it's not in an ideal location which is why it was abandoned. And now it's been hit by 2 hurricanes also. But in the 90s it was beautiful as Legends of the Hidden temple gave away trips here as a grand prize sometime in the early 90s. Maybe thats why they were giving away trips trying to bring attention to it. I personally hate gambling and when my family goes on vacations to oceans we rarely leave the resorts since we're there to relax and do beach activities. So in that vein this would have been a perfect place for us, esp if it was on a less crowded section of the island. I too wish somebody would rebuild here and if they offered cheaper rates due to it's location I would 100% stay here.
Yes get in contact with Bryan and Sarah Baeumllar rhey did a abandoned Hotel complex on Andros it was hard slog but they made it watching there renovation island on HGTV discovery channel its amaxing what they have done. It's highly recommended by the tourism board. Fantastic.
Wow! My wife and I honeymooned there in 1978. I got food poisoning there the last night of our stay so I've been wondering whatever became of the resort. I see that it looks very similar to the state of our marriage! :(.
Again, There Is Another Error? The Half Moon Bay Is Not An Abandoned "Ghost Hotel" & Never Was One, To My Knowledge, For I Also Attempted To Acquire It Several Times Since 2002. Do Not Know Who Owns It Now, For It Has Changed Owners Numerous Times, Without Allowing Me To Develop It Into Its True State Of The Art Destination Resort! In My Past Developments, They Generally Become So Famous, The Owners Never Let Them Go!
Seems like just about every island big enough to support a foundation has an abandoned resort in the Bahamas. The number of those that got nearly finished and never even opened is stunning - Chub Cay is a good example. I haven’t seen it in decades but have you ever been up through the Lucayan waterway/canal?
After many years of rejuvenating abandoned properties, Which I Sincerely love, no matter how bad their condition is, I am still ready to "do my thing" all I need is my legal rights! So help me by informing me where they are!
Have you ever try to check the area with Google Maps? it's all covered with clouds, totally weird, you can't see the surface. Seems somebody press for hide that.
Such a shame, I had a wonderful holiday there in the mid 90's, it was a bit off the beaten track but we liked that, and hired a car so we could explore the whole island, you would've be a bit stuck there if you didn't drive otherwise.
I love this place, and already transformed an abandoned mansion. What is the ask ing price?I love Romance! Dear greetings, mrs. Josephine Hoenjet. It even became a histatical pretected building and home for me, famil,friends where evryone was welcome to enjoy and relax. it'stime to bring it in it's former clory,,,, x
Killer location, great video. I am an urban explorer, adventurer and youtuber. I am going to be heading down to the Bahamas in a few months and I have been looking for a place to go film. This looks like a great place. Also I like your channel. I subbed. What type of drone do you use?
That part of the island seems to have a curse Coral Harbor hotel never got finished and was always a weird place. I think Coral Harbor and South Ocean were just too far off the beaten path to be and remain successful.
All the wonderful wood - building wood, furniture - chairs, etc for this hotel were built in Costa Rica... Divi owned it at the time. What a terrible waste :-(
I've watched all your videos and enjoy them very much. I feel we have a lot in common. If you have any interest you should get in touch with me. In the past I was production manager on Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. At the time I was VP of Marketing for awhile. As we developed the resort I wore many hats. Finding people to work in the Bahamas is interesting. I could be sincerely interested in this project but will need more information. I'm presently living in Tucson, Arizona but still have property on Great Harbour Cay along with other interests in Nassau Bahamas. I assume the cruise ships will have a very long time to improve their image after the CCP Virus. Beach resorts operated very much like a cruise ship with similar amenities and activities has potential. I also have a lot of business acquaintances in Nassau in Government and the legal services business. Let me know if you are interested and prepared for the work this place from your video will require. Look forward to hear from you if only to receive a negative response. Thank you for your valued time regarding this opportunity. Bill Mitchell Wemphd@aol.com
Great Video as always but I hope you might use different music tracks for long videos because it kinda gets boring to hear the same music for 16 minutes.
no drugs no money no funny con-man's paradise but as the species ages no more playful outings don't get around much any more that old song so describes todays scene
I went here April 1997 for my honey moon it was beautiful, such a shame it's abandoned kinda like my marriage lol but all kidding aside I can't believe it's no longer :(
Dear Sir,Lord BUDDHA said long ago every thing vanish from this world and every thing is temporary what we touch..Just like BORN-LIVING-DEATH.This is the NATURE.
I actually managed this resort in 1984-1985. At the time, the area shown on the video was a pristine beach with a small snack bar and sailfish rentals. The main resort is located directly across the street and was at the end of a beautiful palm lined drive. It had 3 wings fanning out in different directions with a beautiful pool and was located just south of the golf clubhouse with the driving range between the two. It was a gorgeous property but its location on the southwest of the island was too far away for taxis to want to service and too far away from the casinos.I returned this January and saw everything this video shows and explored the old main hotel and clubhouse as well which has fallen into the same ruin. Unfortunately, that part of the island also took a direct hit from a major hurricane which helped accelerate the scene of ruin and explains the sad state of the beautiful palm trees.This was my first GM position and I absolutely loved the people of the Bahamas.
Greg Hoover Thanks for sharing. I did wonder about the people who used to work there and what they would think if they saw it today. It was all quite sad really. It wasn't until after I filmed that I learned more about the place. So I was unable to explore the other parts you mentioned.
Greg Hoover thanks for adding to this fabulous video. What a sad shame. One of the best explore videos I’ve seen. Can only imagine what it was like for you to revisit after being at one with it in its prime.
Is The Kings Inn still there yet if so probably a different name?
I think the show band I was in opened the flamingo club around 1987. Was this the Divi in Nassau? What a shame if it was. This place changed my life!! I lived there for 6 weeks. The first of which was lounging by the pool and learning how to dive because the club was not yet open and our gear was stuck in customs!! I was 22 :-)
Greg, Thanks for the input. My dad and some other investors bought the property in 1984. Unfortunately it needed way to much work.I believe they sold it around 1988. My family had two great vacations in 85 and 86. It is rather upsetting to me to see such a beautiful property in such ruin. I still recall the house band "The Duke Smith Affair " and Jose the bartender and his signature drink "The Bulldozer".
My wife and I were married at South Ocean in November 1998, not long before it was shuttered. We'd stayed there a few times in the years before, SCUBA diving with the Stuart Cove's Dive South Ocean operation next door. This makes me very sad to see the resort left to rot. It was a beautiful, quiet, inexpensively luxurious place back in the day, far from the casinos (a plus to many!) and the throngs of tourists.
My dad taught me how to scuba dive in the pool and to play golf at the original golf course that was across the road from the beach before the hotel and resort was ever there in 1976. I met Bobby Orr one day when we were there, what a thrill for a young Canadian lad. There were a couple of local bars and restaurants and some residential properties and not much else out there in those days. the beach was endless and all ours.
Wow Bobby Orr, very nice.
My wife and I stayed here for our anniversary in 1996, Great ocean views and all rooms were ocean front. I played the golf course a few times and enjoyed it. Sorry to see it in such disrepair. I know it is far from the casinos but this is the allure. Quiet, peaceful and golf for a great stay
So sad to see such a beautiful, majestic place in ruins. You can see how gorgeous and tranquil it must have been.
Wow.. Just wow. We stayed here as a family of 5 over the New Year holiday in 2001/2002. My co-worker stayed elsewhere recently and wasn't happy with their experience so I was trying to look up South Ocean Beach Resort and I came upon this video! I'm SO very disappointed!! I'd ALWAYS wanted to go back. It was just a gorgeous place. Off the beaten path, way less congested and so incredibly peaceful. My young son and I rang in the new year sitting on the beach stairs there in front of our room, letting the waves crash into us at midnight. Our room was on the first floor with double doors that opened right onto the sand with the ocean's edge merely feet away. My daughter and I lounged on a hammock under the most divine and enormous palm trees. My oldest son buried me in the sand right outside our door. He also brought his skate board and skated around that fountain at the entrance for hours. The only negative thing about our time there was the fact that he left his board at the fountain to go grab a drink and it was stolen moments after he left. lol. Someone acquired a nice board. The people were awesome. We actually met a woman who was trying to earn money for her children's meal that night so we packed them up and brought them to town to McDonalds. You'd have thought they were just given filet mignon. The pool was crystal clear, and there was a gift/souvenir shop located right next door with parrots outside that the kids just loved. Walks down the beach without a soul around, gorgeous clear turquoise ocean water, the most wonderful flowers, shrubs and architecture. It pains me to see this video and what's happened to this very very special place. I do see how it would struggle being off the beaten path with many vacationers choosing a more active, fun place. I'm sure the hurricane put the final nail in its coffin but my Lord, if I had about $10million hanging around, Id revive that place and market it as adult only and include free shuttles to town. This really was a magical place for us. I'm glad I have pictures and memories. I just wish we would've gotten to go back just once more before time, disrepair and mother nature stole it away.
It's crazy what saltwater and copper thieves can accomplish in such a short time.
I stayed here back in February 1999 for my honeymoon. I vividly remember the beach being so peaceful and quiet. Exactly what I wanted. The golf course was fabulous as well. We stayed at the main resort and got shuttled to the beach every day. I do remember having trouble getting a ride back from downtown if the jitneys stopped running. I remember one cab driver saw about 10 of us waiting outside the casino (when jitneys should have been running) and gave us a ride home in his van. We tipped him handily for the ride back.
It was Divi Divi in the early '90's... Spent 4 years vacationing their and playing golf from 1990-1993. What a hidden treasure I thought I had found. Use to play golf and spend time at the beach during the day, then go into town at night to the Crystal Palace Casino, have dinner and gamble a little... After those years, my wife & I started staying at the Breezes All-Inclusive once my son was born... Great memories gone forever of that side of the island and the Crystal Palace hotel and casino, which is no longer there either...
I stayed here with my girlfriend and loved it. It was a bit out of the way but that made it better. It is shame to see it like this but really appreciate the walkthru. I stayed on second floor above the voleyball court, enjoyed the snorkeling right outside our door. I used to get up really early and get coffee and baked goods at the golf course and the hotel workers used to drive me back to my suite at the beach by golf cart every day. I would surprise my girlfriend with coffee in bed as there was no room service for breakfast.
Wow, the views - best squatter rooms ever! Fascinating video, thanks.
Legends of the Hidden Temple, a Nickelodeon game show from 93-95, gave away a trip to this resort as a grand prize for completing the final temple run in one episode. That's how I initially heard of this resort and decided to look it up since it didn't say exactally where it was located but looked beautiful. This was an episode from 93 or 94. I was surprised to discover it in this condition, and is a shame. But it sure was a magnificent looking place in the 90s when the show was filmed.
We flew into Nassau for 9 years and stayed at the South Ocean Beach HOtel. We loved this place and were so saddened when they closed it. It was gorgeous and we stayed beach side every year and my husband played golf almost daily on our 2 week vacation. The people were wonderful and genuine. We would take the city bus into the city every other day or so. No problem! Some of the rooms were time share. Wonder what happened to that part. We made many memories and friends there over the years. Saddened..
What I found s so fare
www.worldpropertyjournal.com/latin-america-commercial-news/bahamas-greg-norman-south-ocean-resort-southern-cross-development-casino-roger-stein-plainfield-asset-management-max-holmes-canadian-pension-plan-7588.php
My sister and I grew up spending most of our family vacations at South Ocean from about 1979 to 1991. It truly was a magical place and we really enjoyed the fact that it wasn't on the 'main drag' of Cable Beach or Paradise Island. It's such a lovely, quiet corner of New Providence and its such a shame that it has fallen into ruins. My parents bought into the Sandpiper time share around 1980 and ended up losing their investment when both the hotel and timeshare shut down. I have fond memories of the South Ocean staff as well as Mrs. Gay...the lovely Bahamian woman who sold straw hats, purses in front of the hotel. Great memories! I hope someone redevelops the property again at some point.
we have the same memories as we bought into the timeshare in 1982. We even went to church on Easter Sunday with Mrs. Gay! Loved our condo being right on the beach! Always thought the old hotel was like something out of a movie. Enjoyed being at less busy end of the island!! Sonja
@@buzz2130 I heard Albany recently acquired the abandoned property about two years ago before the COVID lockdown. I heard they were going to demolish the old buildings and build new highrise condos.
We were at Sandpiper too! Would snorkel and try to climb trees for coconuts. Anyone have pictures?
Stayed at the Sandpiper in 1989. Wonderful time and place.
We had a great time there on a golf vacation with friends in the early 2000's we still talk about that trip. We were escaping a cold north winter that year. We loved that it was out of the crowded area of the other side of the island. We went over one day to do the usual tourist things over there but were glad we picked the quiet side. The staff was so friendly & helpful. While the resort food was very good the staff gave us some local places that were great & fun to eat more local. Very sad to see this, I prefer an alternative to the mega complexes, but obviously that takes some aggressive marketing.
So sad. My family came here for many years. We used to go to the timeshare next door called the Sandpiper since I was a baby and we occasionally stayed here. We would always swim in the pool shown. Such fond memories of this place. What a beautiful place this used to be.
This reminds be so much of the hauntingly beautiul abandoned resort we came across when we were in Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. Similar to this one in the Bahamas ,it was on the pristine coast-line outside of Merida near a bird sanctuary but very far away from most transportation, so much so that taxis and shuttles buses were almost impossible to get. We met the care-takers there who very kindly took us around for a tour. Apparently, the death knell for this place was a serious food poisoning incident. They had bbq's on the beach but it was very windy. The meat was not cooked properly as the flames were always being blown out. Canadians on tour had to be evacuated as they got so sick. Such a shame as like this place in the Bahamas it was a stunning location right on the beach with wonderful facilities. Thanks for sharing this insight into the down-side of the travel industry. I suspect as with restaurants, there is always a degree of failure. Of course, the threat of hurricanes doesn't help either!!
:)
Is there a link to the resort you are talking about? if so would you share it?
And now with Covid the entire industry is in jeopardy. Me and my wife have been trying to plan our yearly vacation for our family and almost every place we contact at any resort town be it Florida, Bahamas, Mexico, Hawaii, everywhere, are telling us if things don't improve they might not make it past June. So sadly in the next few years we may see many more abandoned places like this in beautiful places around the world, even in the best of lacations.
That is and must have been gorgeous at one time. Wish somebody would restore it :( beautiful design, pool, beach, love the archways. Real shame. But thanks so much for sharing this, wow! It looks like paradise IN paradise !
I loved this place!! I stayed here MANY times and even honeymooned here.. This was a great hotel and its sad to see it in this condition.
Lauryn Nolan lovely to hear that,wen u satay hear ,
@@khurramh6 i stayed at he South Ocean for a week every year, back in the late 90's to early 2000's.. I always stayed beach side.. not in the main hotel. We'd wander over to stuart coves, the wander back.. enjoy conch fritters, swim some, wait for the lady to come walk down the beach and do my braids.. listen to her talk about her family.. she did my hair every year .. find sand dollars.. and just enjoy this place.. Every year i check to see, has it been renovated.. there was no place like it.
My wife and I also stayed on our honeymoon there. So sad to see this now we were always wanted to go back and show our kids where we stayed. We fell in love with the islands on that trip. Just never had the money to return. Loved the feel of being away from the casinos and all that. It was really peaceful and got the sense of true island time there.
Got married here in 1999. Loved it and always wanted to come back. Makes me want to go watch my wedding video to see what it looked liked before.
Wow, so cool
Wow. This was a beautiful resort once upon a time long ago. I hope that one day it will return to its original splendor.
Stayed there for our honeymoon in 2002, we had a room on the ground level looking right at the beach, wooded shutters for windows, you could hear the ocean all night long and nothing else! It was amazing! I think Greg Norman bought it shortly after that but not sure, sad to see it like this but glad we got stay there when we did!
I am fascinated by these abandoned places as well...although this isn’t your usual genre, it should be....because your video is far better than 99% of all the other ghetto exploration videos on RUclips. It was hauntingly beautiful, and an obvious victim of a Hurricane. I was amazed by the drone shots, music, and the sporadic “before” pictures....that had great impact throughout the video. This seems like prime real estate....the views were amazing....thanks for the tastefully done treat.
Thanks very much. I’m working on another, should be live this week.
I actually stayed at this resort probably around the year 2001 or so..... The pictures i have from that vacation are such a contrast to what became of the hotel. I remember it as such a beautiful place. So sad.
I figured eventually someone who had stayed there would see this video. It did seem such shame as it was in such a great location with regards to the beach. However it seems to be completely on its own compared to everything else.
I was there in 1989. What was the name of the hotel? My friend from college was a native and she'd drop me off at either this hotel or one by the casino the 2 weeks I stayed with her. Her family owns the Shane's stores.
This wasn't the main part of the hotel, this was the time share area of what was once Divi Bahamas South Ocean. I stayed there several times during the 90's. The actual hotel was inland 1/2 mile and was much larger. I can see the area where the actual hotel used to be on some of your drone shots. The area you covered was open to hotel guests as well but wasn't the actual hotel. The hexagon shaped building by the pool was where meals were prepared and you could walk up to a counter and order a burger (really good) from there and eat it poolside. I loved this place. Ramada took it over from Divi and from there it went downhill as it was poorly managed from what I experienced. There was a big effort to get people to go to the timeshare sales pitch lunches but I was only there to dive with the Peter Hughes operation who worked with Divi. Back then the diving there was really good but not so good anymore as way too many people visit this island. I was there before the internet and cell phones so not too many people knew about this resort Next time you're in the area you should try to shoot the actual hotel, I would love to see what is left. I remember the restaurant at the hotel was really good. It overlooked their gold course and the food was out of this world. When Ramada took over the food was just so so. Really good memories made there!
Thank you! The before and after pictures were very helpful! Sounds like a wonderful place, from reading the comments!
Unbelievable, my husband and I stayed there in 2002, but we had been going to that side of the island for years to use the beach between the resort and Stuarts Cove. We had a timeshare on Paradise Island. We always rented a car. Not a lot of vacationers do that because they drive on the other side of the road than in the US. The place was gorgeous. When we decided to spend a week there in 2002 it was starting to lose tourists, I think primarily because of Atlantis. The beach there was perfect and the sunsets incredible. There was only a golf course and restaurant for any other entertainment you had to drive across the island to the shows and casino. Once on the beach by Stuart Cove 5 or 6 huge shrunk wrapped bags of coke floated in. We got out of there fast. Did not want to have anything to do with that. Perhaps that is another reason for the closing. Sad.
Wow! That's quite a story from the past!
I guess we don't realize how much maintenance and care goes into a beach front resort of this size. They go downhill much faster than I would expect. It looked like 90 percent of the rubble on the floor everywhere was simply the fallen ceiling material, sheetrock. Imagine what a difference there would be had they just used cheap plywood. But I can't imagine anyplace like that holding up for long facing hurricanes.
The patio areas were well made and the tile work is beautiful
I lived in the Bahamas in the 80's this was not yet built on the beach. It was a nice resort but too remote for most people so I can understand why it ultimately failed as was the strange fate of Coral Harbor. I remember a horse show on the open grounds behind the beach.
Beautiful filming and editing the footage of this sad place.
I just drove pass this yesterday and was talking about it...this place was amazingly beautiful
WOW! Fascinating...
I’ve lived on the Texas Gulf Coast almost my whole life. The one thing you know growing up is : never build something you don’t mind loosing to a storm. Plus it’s a constant fixer upper with the salt air. So saying this who cares. Every place you live has pros& cons.
My chef was cooking at a popular resort on Eleuthera when management came in one day to tell them they were closed. Pack up and get out. The place was stripped to the walls in under a week. Apparently someone wasn’t paying off someone else on time.
My mother's wedding was here. The place was beautiful and their suites were amazing!
Enjoyed that. Liked the comparisons of before & now. The comment by previous manager was useful too & the memories of others . Such a shame.
Love the shots of then and now..........
That’s crazy. I remember this place being a 2 minute drive from my house when I lived in the Bahamas.
Myself and my husband stayed here twice. In 2000 for our honeymoon and again in 2004. Our 2nd child was conceived here in one of those ocean front rooms. I can't tell you how sad I am to see it like this. One of the things we loved about it was because it was away from the noise and crowds of Cable Beach and Paradise Island. We loved the quiet. We were able to truly relax. That room above the bar was a game room. The views were just breathtaking because there was nothing around. We loved it so much and had hoped to go back for a third trip but obviously that can't happen now. :-(
That's a nice story with a sad ending. You know when I was walking around I kept thinking of all the people who had stayed there and what they would think if they saw it now.
Travel to Bahamas purchase this property. Rebuild they will come, Field of Dreams
My family owned a timechair here... The reason why its abandoned is because they mixed in sand with the concrete. its just sad to see our family vacation spot in ruins.
Great video and loved your drone shots!!
That place is sick I just recently stayed at Albany and walked over and explored the hotel and made a video about it such a fun place to explore
If I was aboard that yacht passing by I'd have a launch lowered to go explore this place. Too tempting to pass up
Good video and thank you for sharing it
Stayed there in 2001. Was a beautiful quiet resort. Sad to see it in its current state.
Please take your time you got me dizzy,the drone shots where great
Sorry, only had my Drone and iPhone with me. iPhone shots are not the best. I have a better camera now.
Wow only 10 years!
Thanks for sharing!
Very nice video. You did a wonderful job!
Thank you
Gage Rowden As you say nice video said about a place like this and the nature that could be much better with out it thanks for your video's
Lars lotus I was just saying.. I thought it was a cool and different video from this channel and I actually enjoyed it. I get where you are coming from but I thought it was a nice video not just commenting on the actual place.
Gage Rowden Hi Rowden dont take me wrong esysman have published nice video's. But y still think it's sad how they left that place
Lars lotus Oh now i know where your coming from. Yea I agree. Just left it to sit and rot is pretty sad.
ive been there before like for realwe walked upon the stairs by the beach and everything and also i live in the bahamas
How could something like this go out of business....looks awesome.....You would think that as it was failing a major hotel chain would scoop it up!!!
Such a shame to see the destruction there it leaves a bad view for the island now it's abandoned. Spoils the atmosphere and views. Probably would have been better to have raised it to the ground. So sad.....
Someone should buy this and make into a resort agian😃
Apparently it's not in an ideal location which is why it was abandoned. And now it's been hit by 2 hurricanes also. But in the 90s it was beautiful as Legends of the Hidden temple gave away trips here as a grand prize sometime in the early 90s. Maybe thats why they were giving away trips trying to bring attention to it. I personally hate gambling and when my family goes on vacations to oceans we rarely leave the resorts since we're there to relax and do beach activities. So in that vein this would have been a perfect place for us, esp if it was on a less crowded section of the island. I too wish somebody would rebuild here and if they offered cheaper rates due to it's location I would 100% stay here.
@nichole Roberts 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 impossible
It had to he just beautiful, such a waste. Omg boones farm, my favorite as a youngster lol
CJ Miller strawberry hill
Tell them to call in Chip & Joanna or that couple from Canada that restored a resort in the Bahamas
Yes get in contact with Bryan and Sarah Baeumllar rhey did a abandoned Hotel complex on Andros it was hard slog but they made it watching there renovation island on HGTV discovery channel its amaxing what they have done. It's highly recommended by the tourism board. Fantastic.
Lovely views thanks!!
Wow! My wife and I honeymooned there in 1978. I got food poisoning there the last night of our stay so I've been wondering whatever became of the resort. I see that it looks very similar to the state of our marriage! :(.
Again, There Is Another Error? The Half Moon Bay Is Not An Abandoned "Ghost Hotel" & Never Was One, To My Knowledge, For I Also Attempted To Acquire It Several Times Since 2002. Do Not Know Who Owns It Now, For It Has Changed Owners Numerous Times, Without Allowing Me To Develop It Into Its True State Of The Art Destination Resort! In My Past Developments, They Generally Become So Famous, The Owners Never Let Them Go!
My wife and I went there 6 years in a row.
Seems like just about every island big enough to support a foundation has an abandoned resort in the Bahamas. The number of those that got nearly finished and never even opened is stunning - Chub Cay is a good example. I haven’t seen it in decades but have you ever been up through the Lucayan waterway/canal?
After many years of rejuvenating abandoned properties, Which I Sincerely love, no matter how bad their condition is, I am still ready to "do my thing" all I need is my legal rights! So help me by informing me where they are!
Rich Lord's this abandoned hotel is located in the southwestern part of Nassau Bahamas.
Very cool video. Please slow down the rate that you pan the camera for a better video. Nice drone shots.
Rusty C Yeah I didn't have all my equipment with me so the ground stuff I shot on my iPhone.
Sad to see such a once gorgeous relaxing resort be destroyed by the hurricane and greedy metal searchers.
Have you ever try to check the area with Google Maps? it's all covered with clouds, totally weird, you can't see the surface. Seems somebody press for hide that.
Such a shame, I had a wonderful holiday there in the mid 90's, it was a bit off the beaten track but we liked that, and hired a car so we could explore the whole island, you would've be a bit stuck there if you didn't drive otherwise.
I love this place, and already transformed an abandoned mansion. What is the ask ing price?I love Romance! Dear greetings, mrs. Josephine Hoenjet. It even became a histatical pretected building and home for me, famil,friends where evryone was welcome to enjoy and relax. it'stime to bring it in it's former clory,,,, x
Josephine Hoenjet I heard Albany brought the property two years from a Canadian company called I.F. Propco Holdings.
Do you know any history? Year opened and by whom?
And year closed?.
Thank you from Los Angeles California
Good video!
I’m interested in the selling price and restoration costs.
I don't understand why they would just abandon a resort such as this... seems like such a waste. Bad economy?
Great job
Killer location, great video. I am an urban explorer, adventurer and youtuber. I am going to be heading down to the Bahamas in a few months and I have been looking for a place to go film. This looks like a great place. Also I like your channel. I subbed. What type of drone do you use?
awesome.
That part of the island seems to have a curse Coral Harbor hotel never got finished and was always a weird place. I think Coral Harbor and South Ocean were just too far off the beaten path to be and remain successful.
man thats pretty nice that would look good in a horror movie spread the word
Reminds me of the hotel in one of the Hitman games.
Wow money and time this could be beautiful again
Too expensive. If I remember correctly, it's in the triple Millions.
Any history as to why this resort /hotel in the Bahamas was abandoned & when
also what hurricane did all this and year it happened
But why did close down?
All the wonderful wood - building wood, furniture - chairs, etc for this hotel were built in Costa Rica... Divi owned it at the time. What a terrible waste :-(
What happened?!? A bad storm ruined it?
Nope they went out of business and then it was robbed of everything.
I've watched all your videos and enjoy them very much. I feel we have a lot in common. If you have any interest you should get in touch with me. In the past I was production manager on Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands, Bahamas. At the time I was VP of Marketing for awhile. As we developed the resort I wore many hats. Finding people to work in the Bahamas is interesting. I could be sincerely interested in this project but will need more information. I'm presently living in Tucson, Arizona but still have property on Great Harbour Cay along with other interests in Nassau Bahamas. I assume the cruise ships will have a very long time to improve their image after the CCP Virus. Beach resorts operated very much like a cruise ship with similar amenities and activities has potential. I also have a lot of business acquaintances in Nassau in Government and the legal services business. Let me know if you are interested and prepared for the work this place from your video will require. Look forward to hear from you if only to receive a negative response. Thank you for your valued time regarding this opportunity.
Bill Mitchell
Wemphd@aol.com
Qué Bello lugar!!
Great Video as always but I hope you might use different music tracks for long videos because it kinda gets boring to hear the same music for 16 minutes.
no drugs no money no funny con-man's paradise but as the species ages no more playful outings don't get around much any more that old song so describes todays scene
Cuál fue el motivo del abandono?
fabiana britos un huracán.
what's the name of the song playing in video
my parents were there in 1991, the only reason i know it exists is becuase my dad stole a hotel copy of "welcome to the bahamas"
which Cay is this on?
Dialogue would be nice.
Didn’t really know much about it when I stumbled upon it.
there is a strange blur at 5:23
I went here April 1997 for my honey moon it was beautiful, such a shame it's abandoned kinda like my marriage lol but all kidding aside I can't believe it's no longer :(
Dear Sir,Lord BUDDHA said long ago every thing vanish from this world and every thing is temporary what we touch..Just like BORN-LIVING-DEATH.This is the NATURE.
wow
Is it for sale?
what island. i cannot locate on google earth
Tucker Shaver 25.0013 -77.5212
i cant find it using that. ium assuming that is GPS
Go to Nassau, then on other side of island look for Albany gold course. Then South Ocean Beach
25,001154, -77,521455
tsunami?
살롬인 hurricane
Why did they abandon this resort?
Kimkinyona Lane hurricane