Bahamas Philately: Coral Harbour Hotel and Club

In 1955, the Hotel Encourage Act (Coral Harbour Development) authorised the development of Coral Harbour, New Providence, by agreement with Lenora Balsey Hopkins, The Carl Fisher Company, Lindsey Hopkins Jr, and Sara Hopins Ludwig. Lenora and Lindsay Hopkins were the widow and son of Lindsey Hopkins Sr., a major shareholder and director of the Coca-Cola company. The investment by the Hopkins family totalled USD$5,000,000.

The proposal included the construction of a hotel, a yacht club and a yacht harbour, and the provision of residential plots for private occupation. By the end of 1955, the harbour was already near completion and the hotel was opened 15 December 1956, under the management of Frank McHugh.

The following year, in 1957, the Coral Harbour Yacht Club was commissioned enabling the resort to offer charter boats, water skiing, skin diving, regattas and fishing tournaments. In 1958, two cement tennis courts were constructed. The hotel reached fame in 1965 when it was featured in the James Bond movie, Thunderball.

In 1970, a $35m expansion was announced for the Coral Harbour Hotel to build an additional 250 rooms and the hotel closed. It 1971 part of the hotel was re-opened under the management of Murray Delahey who was the club host between 1963-1968. The North Gate Wing, the Wheelhouse Bar and Pub were the only sections opened, along with the marina.

However, the hotel went bankrupt by 1972, leaving a half-finished tower wing. The wing was later used as a shooting location for another James Bond film, Casino Royale (2006). The hotel lobby today serves as a training centre for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.