Whitney In The Bahamas...

Bahamas' Legendary Ocean Club Resort Celebrates Rebirth With Celebrity-Studded Gala on December 9

Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Natasha Richardson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall,
Michael Jordan, Ray Liotta and Gloria & Emilio Estefan Among Those Joining in Concert and Party Marking the Reopening of Paradise Island Resort

PARADISE ISLAND, The Bahamas, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The legendary Paradise
Island hideaway, The Ocean Club, celebrated its spectacular rebirth in true style last
night with a rocking, celebrity-studded party. Part of a gala weekend celebration hosted by Sun International Chairman and CEO Sol Kerzner and attended by a host of celebrities and personalities, the event was topped off by an impromptu concert which united some of the biggest names in music.

Set in the magical "Versailles" gardens of the 108-room luxury resort, the elegant party featured a standing-ovation performance by jazz great Diana Krall, after which musical star after star took the stage to perform. Among the greats who wowed the enthusiastic crowd with their spirited "jam session" were Whitney Houston and husband Bobby Brown, Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano, Bebe and Marvin Winans, Gloria & Emilio Estefan, and eight-year-old singer Vachelle Gil.

The artists joined each other on stage to sing together, with Whitney singing "Shoop;" Whitney and Bobby singing "My Perogative" and "Something in Common;" Stevie and Jose singing "Light My Fire;" Whitney, Bebe and Bobby singing "I'll Take You There;" Stevie singing "Don't You Worry About a Thing," and Jose and Gloria closing with "Feliz Navidad," with Emilio accompanying the singers on drums throughout the program.

Rocking in the audience were celebrities and personalities including Natasha Richardson, Ray Liotta, Michael Jordan, Star Jones, Cicely Tyson, Carol Alt, Beverly Johnson, Lee Iacocca, Tommy Mottola, Alan Grubman, Denise Rich and Sandy and Joan Weill.

Throughout the weekend, guests feasted on the Caribbean-infused cuisine of world-renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, whose new restaurant, Dune, also debuted this month at the Ocean Club.

After a spectacular $100 million renaissance, The Ocean Club reopens as an expanded, fully restored luxury destination for the most discriminating travelers. While preserving the timeless elegance and superlative service which has made the resort an international jet set hideaway for the past 60 years, the new Ocean Club offers a host of fresh amenities and facilities for a new generation of visitors to this Bahamian paradise. The resort now includes 50 new oceanfront rooms and suites and the property's existing 58 rooms, suites and villas as well as all public areas and grounds were also completely renovated, restored to their original grandeur. A new reception area greets guests with expansive views of the ocean from a dramatic 14-foot terrace. In fall 2001, the full-service Ocean Club Spa by Mandara will open on the property, featuring a variety of rejuvenating treatments.

The brand new championship 18-hole Ocean Club Golf Course, designed by Tom Weiskopf, also debuted this weekend, hosting the Office Depot Father/Son Challenge, a tournament which airs throughout the weekend on NBC-TV and attracted such golf greats as Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Gary Player -- all of whom competed alongside their sons.

The Ocean Club features butler service to accommodate every guest, which includes
packing and unpacking, dinner and activity reservations, personal wake-up calls, daily fruit bowl delivery and in-room afternoon tea, champagne, and strawberry services. To truly meet the needs of today's world-class traveler, Crescent Wing guestrooms also feature the latest in cutting-edge technology, including internet access, a portable telephone, DVD and CD player, and DMX music.

The Ocean Club's restoration has been carefully designed to preserve the resort's classic plantation look and fabled history. Since its inception over 60 years ago, the property has been an exclusive refuge for Hollywood, royals, and heads of state who treasure its privacy, elegance and unparalleled service. Sun International purchased the Ocean Club and the surrounding property in 1994. For more information and reservations, visit the resort's new website, www.OceanClub.com or call the Ocean Club at 800-321-3000.

SOURCE Sun International Hotels Limited

[Thanks Tony L]

NEWSFILE: 10 DECEMBER 2000