Redefining Modern Island Living
Meet Damien Michelmore, Chief Operating Officer of Albany, The Bahamas, a NEXUS Luxury Collection property.
Damien is responsible for leading operations within the 600-acre luxury resort community of Albany, The Bahamas, which includes a superyacht marina, luxury private residences and resort accommodations, world-class amenities, the Hero World Challenge PGA TOUR-sanctioned event, equestrian club and financial center. Damien is also a senior executive of the NEXUS Luxury Collection, where his operational expertise has been invaluable in assisting in the development of new concepts for NEXUS including T-Squared Social and other partnerships for the NEXUS brand. Prior to moving to The Bahamas nearly 15 years ago to join Albany and NEXUS, Damien worked at the exclusive Queenwood Golf Club in the U.K.
What makes Albany a “Luxury Resort Community?”
Albany was created as an exclusive, luxury resort community set on 600 acres along the southwestern end of New Providence in The Bahamas. With over 230 privately owned residences at Albany, many families live and thrive here year-round while others vacation multiple times annually. When you become part of the community as a homeowner, you are invited into Albany’s Resort Rental Program where Albany’s Resort team oversees the accommodation booking process from start to finish just as a traditional hotel. However, whether you’re a homeowner or a resort guest, Albany provides luxury experiences in each amenity and also through the personalized services of the 24/7 Concierge team who is on hand day or night to assist with any request or need.
How would you describe the vibe at Albany?
Active but with casual island luxury and elegance.
What are your 3 recommended activities or experiences for guests?
1). Anything on or in water – Enjoy a relaxing day by Azul, our adults-only pool or at Footprints, the Family Pool which offers rockslides and a kid’s waterpark, or the quiet and laid-back Beach Club all overlooking the beautiful ocean. There are also options to rent boats for fishing and day or overnight charters to other beautiful islands in The Bahamas.
2). Our Sports Pavilion has almost every activity anyone could wish for, including an indoor trampoline park, Esports gaming room, bowling alleys, a Full Swing simulator, pool tables, table tennis, soccer pitch, dog park, pickleball courts, volleyball, skatepark, baseball batting cage, climbing frames, zip line, indoor basketball court and a food truck for when you get hungry after doing all of the above.
3). Recreation at Albany is extremely popular with our patrons, so I always recommend a session in the fitness center, golf tee time, or reserving a court at the Racquet Center for a friendly tennis, padel or pickleball match, as well as stopping by the Equestrian Club to book a beach ride or a jumping or dressage lesson.
Which of your accommodations caters to design enthusiasts?
Albany has a number of accommodations types – villas, marina residences and custom homes – all situated in various areas around the community, with many overlooking the ocean, marina, and golf course as well as near the beachside and centralized amenities. While our villas and some custom homes gain the attention of those interested in Bahamian or modern-island architecture, Albany’s marina residences standout as some of the Caribbean’s most architecturally inspiring buildings designed by some of the most renowned architects in the world. From Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Morris Adjmi Architects, and Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects, to HKS Architects, OOAK Architects and London-based Squire and Partners, the iconic marina residences combine both modern architecture with unobstructed ocean views.
Where is the postcard shot on property?
One of the reasons Albany is so special is the beautiful backdrop of The Bahamas, which is unlike anywhere else in the world. Anywhere on property at Albany is visually stunning, but the vantage point atop one of our luxury penthouse marina residences offers a 360-degree glimpse at almost every part of the community, from the mega-yacht marina and blue ocean waters, to the championship desert-links golf course and stunning beachside attractions and amenities. There’s really nothing quite like that view.
If you stayed a week at Albany, I don’t think you’d be able to experience all of the dining options. Which one is your personal favorite and why?
We have close to 10 dining experiences on property that range from healthy grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items to cold-pressed juices or smoothies, casual beach and poolside venues, as well as a restaurant, bar and terrace that overlooks the golf course. Additionally, we feature seasonal pop-up concepts and guest chefs in our venues, mostly at WAVE restaurant along the beach. We also have a couple of very special dinner-only restaurants led by our executive resort chefs. Any of the restaurants on our beach are my favorite. Dinner overlooking the ocean is spectacular. Aviva is located on the first floor of Albany House and offers innovative and truly delicious dishes with a Mediterranean inspired menu. If you head upstairs to Vesper, you are sure to enjoy some of the best hand-rolled sushi and Asian-inspired cuisine found in the Caribbean.
Let’s talk Golf. Would you share a little about the Hero World Challenge experience?
The Hero World Challenge arguably offers the most intimate PGA TOUR event of the year. With the top 20 players on the PGA TOUR invited to compete at this 4-day tournament in December each year. We have witnessed incredible golf over nearly a decade since this event moved to Albany in 2015. For the patrons, Pro-Am participants and tournament sponsors, we have exclusive on-site hospitality experiences within EIGHTEEN hospitality pavilion which overlooks the 9th and 18th greens. Within the pavilion patrons enjoy premium food and beverage service from an unmatched vantage point for viewing this unique PGA TOUR event.
Patrons also enjoy incredible evening events during tournament week. On Friday evening, the lavish India Nite Beach Party occurs at Aviva Beach, complete with Indian inspired cuisine, delicious cocktails, live entertainment and a unique live raffle drawing featuring luxurious prizes all benefiting TGR Foundation, Tavistock Foundation and the Bahamas Youth Foundation, charities dedicated to serving youth and education. On Sunday evening, after the winner is declared, the post-tournament event, Sunday Sundowners, will commence within EIGHTEEN Pavilion, featuring cocktails, light fare and musical entertainment.
It is certainly a PGA TOUR-event not to be missed.
Can you tell us about the Equestrian Club at Albany?
The Equestrian Club is located along the northern edge of the community and opened in winter 2022. The area features a stunning 20-stall barn designed by Annie Carruthers of In-Site Design Group, nine grass paddocks, covered and outdoor all-weather arenas, complete hunter and jumper courses, a riding ring and a variety of lessons and riding trails throughout the community, with full-time boarding opportunities available.
Can you tell us about the Sports Pavilion and The Arena at Albany?
The Sports Pavilion and The Arena are the go-to locations in the community for recreation and fun, both indoor and outdoor. On Wednesday evenings, families gather for Family Night to participate in soccer, pickleball, or beach volleyball matches, grab a bite to eat from our food truck, and enjoy the company of fellow neighbors, members, and visiting guests, while the kids play on the in-ground trampolines, zip lines, large playground, skate park, and baseball batting cage. The indoor recreational spaces include an NBA regulation-sized basketball court, which can be converted to other uses such as indoor soccer, nerf, archery, and laser tag, or one can try a hand at indoor bowling, the Full Swing Simulator, Esports gaming room, pool and ping pong tables, foosball, and an indoor trampoline park.
What would you like the Four Hundred members to know about Albany?
Albany is the perfect destination for couples, multigenerational families, and avid sports enthusiasts alike. It is safe, exclusive, and has everything anyone would ever need inside the gates. Albany is a rare find in an easy-to-travel-to location, with multiple daily direct flights from major international airports worldwide to Lyndon Pindling International Airport or two FBOs which are all just a short 7-minute drive to Albany.
Contributor — Four Hundred by Design