We have just come back from our third trip to the Landing and as people who rarely go to the same place twice (too many places, too many fab hotels in the world), I was trying to think why we keep on going back. In part, it is to do with the island (which is to our mind how a Carribean island should be - think "shabby chic Mustique"!) but the major factor is the ambience at the Landing - returning to the Landing and the island is like revisiting old friends.

The owners

Tracy, Toby and Brenda are lovely genial hosts - being a wine nerd I have to confess to spending many a happy hour pouring over the massive top notch wine list with Toby. The list, by the way, could compete with many a major city restaurant and although expensive is not unreasonable considering the 50+% import duty charged in the Bahamas.

The staff

The key staff seem to have been at the Landing for years (surely a sign of a happy camp) and are fantastic (eg Dawn as manager). Special mention must, however, go to the bar staff (TJ and Joe) who make a beautiful bar come alive.

The decor

Perfect! If you like your taps shiny and new, you are missing the point of this place. The rooms are understated and elegant - old furniture, rich wooden floors, high thread count sheets etc make for a very "carribean colonial" experience. As mentioned above, the bar and the restaurant both have that wonderful old world plantation feel.

The food

One of the main attractions of this place is the food. Ken is a star in the kitchen and could easily have a very successful place in London or NY... it is that good (but don't get any ideas Ken - HI needs you!). By far an away the best food on the island with great fusion food turned out time and time again...try the crab cappellini and you will get the idea (all very "Europe meets Asia"...something the Aussies do so well)

The wine

Shouldn't dwell too long here (as I have already mentioned the wine list already) suffice it to say that (i) if you are European, Toby has a fab USA list which is not all "hit you on the head" Napa Cab Sauv (he has those as well should you so desire) but also more restrained, elegant numbers which have opened my eyes to what the US has to offer; and (ii) if you are American, hit the NZ/Aus list hard and see what the rest of the New World has to offer (eg the Leeuwin Riesling is a perfect foil for the fusion cooking). In relation to the Old World, the list is heavily Bordeaux and white burg based.

The Island (lunches, transport and shopping)

A golf cart is a must (although not a necessity) as it is part of the whole "island life" experience... as are lunches at Sip Sip and Dunmore Deli (both way way way better than Blue Bar/ Coral Sands). On shopping, Miss Mae's, Blue Rooster and India Hicks' joint venture "The Sugar Mill" are all expensive but again part of that post beach/pre drink loiter! On travel to the island from the UK, go via Nassau rather than Miami (to avoid US immigration) and you can get to HI in a day. Southern Air charter have the latest flights to and from North Eleuthera (which is 20min away by taxi then speedboat) and therefore connect reasonably well to the BA flights. Note that if you are flying on the Monday Virgin flight, you lose a day's holiday due to the early depart from Nassau back to UK (whereas you don't have to leave the island until 4pm to get the connections in time to catch the BA return flight).

Hope all this helps and enjoy a Happy Landing!

Alex and Jayne