Did Elvis own a condo in the Bahamas?

[Vissie]

I can't find a history of the "Paradise Island Hotel". Cry, do you happen to know where it was exactly? When it was built/torn down/rennovated... anything?

There's got to be something behind this condo Otherwise, wouldn't someone wise up and say.. "excuse me, EP never owned/lived/stayed in that condo?"

The condo is still being pointed out as a place that EP stayed by cruise directors.

[E-Cat]

I can't find a history of the "Paradise Island Hotel".

Here s some more info: Built in 1969 by by Resorts International (80 % owned by Donald Trump) who sold Resorts Int'l to late Mervyn Griffin for US$400 million (ca. 1988). "Merv" resold Resorts International to Sun Int'l Hotels, owned by Sol Kershner for US$125 million (mid 90's). Sol Kershner invested another US$280 million and created Atlantis / Harborside ( co-owned by Oprah and Starwood)

There's got to be something behind this condo Otherwise, wouldn't someone wise up and say.. "excuse me, EP never owned/lived/stayed in that condo?" The condo is still being pointed out as a place that EP stayed by cruise directors.

These cheap local marketing tactics were masterminded by late Merv Griffin. In desperate need for cash he promoted celebrity tours around the island. There are even tours where the same house is promoted as owned by Elvis Presley / John Lennon / David Bowie etc. Reminds me of the Colonel.

[Vissie]

I can't find a history of the "Paradise Island Hotel".

Here s some more info: Built in 1969 by by Resorts International (80 % owned by Donald Trump) who sold Resorts Int'l to late Mervyn Griffin for US$400 million (ca. 1988). "Merv" resold Resorts International to Sun Int'l Hotels, owned by Sol Kershner for US$125 million (mid 90's). Sol Kershner invested another US$280 million and created Atlantis / Harborside ( co-owned by Oprah and Starwood)

E-Cat, just curious.. where are you getting this information from? As someone who's been to Paradise Island many times, I'm familiar with the island but do not recall this particular hotel. At least, not by the name "Paradise Island Hotel".

Paradise Island was purchased in the 1980s by Donald Trump for $79 million, then sold to Merv Griffin for $400 million. It was last sold for $125 million to the current owner, Sol Kerzner. The current estimated value of the island is about $2 billion USD. ~ Wiki

That paragraph is referring to Trump selling the entire island to Merv for $400 million.

[E-Cat]

As someone who's been to Paradise Island many times, I'm familiar with the island but do not recall this particular hotel. At least, not by the name "Paradise Island Hotel".

As stated above: Merv" resold Resorts International to Sun Int'l Hotels, owned by Sol Kershner for US$125 million (mid 90's). Sol Kershner invested another US$280 million and created Atlantis / Harborside ( co-owned by Oprah and Starwood)

Paradise Island was purchased in the 1980s by Donald Trump for $79 million, then sold to Merv Griffin for $400 million. It was last sold for $125 million to the current owner, Sol Kerzner. The current estimated value of the island is about $2 billion USD. ~ Wiki - That paragraph is referring to Trump selling the entire island to Merv for $400 million.

the info is not correct - Trump did not own the entire island - Trump sold Resorts Int'l for $400 million.

to stay on topic, back to Elvis at Paradise Island Hotel - Bahamas Oct '69

Witnesses Showband were probably the only Irish showband to welcome Elvis Presley to their show! The King and his entourage, including his wife Priscilla attended their Christmas Show at The Paradise Island Hotel in The Bahamas in 1969, took a bow when introduced to the audience by bandleader and compere Harry “Trixie” Hamilton and later told the lads that he had enjoyed the show. He bought drinks for the band and joined them onstage, though he did not sing.
(Source: http://www.irishshowbands.net/pg_witnesses.htm)

According to G. Mullan:

One afternoon, as the Witnesses were having a rehearsal, who should walk in but the King himself. He complimented the lads on their sound and even said that he might pop into the gig that night. Elvis did add, however, that it might be difficult for him to get into the club. Geordie Mullan misunderstood.
Elvis was worried that he might be mobbed; Geordie interpreted the superstar’s reluctance as (a) Elvis being worried he might not have enough money, or (b) he might be considered an undesirable. The Belfast man immediately sprung to Elvis’s defence and said: “Listen big lad if you have any problems on the door get them to ask for Geordie Mullan.”
(Source: Irish Post : http://www.irishpost.co.uk/news/story/?trs=gbkfsnid)

According to Colm Wilkinson:

Music has been part of Wilkinson's life since growing up in Dublin in a household of 10 children. "I used to steal my father's banjo and play it," he recalls. When Wilkinson joined the Witnesses in 1968, he began working abroad; he met Presley in 1969 while playing the lounge at the Paradise Island Hotel in Nassau. "Elvis sat four tables from the stage," he recalls. "I did 'I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen,' and I could hear him saying, 'Oh yeah, man.'
(Source: http://www.colmwilkinson.com)

[Vissie]

E-Cat, thanks for your sources. However, I'm still sorting this out. As I said, it's confusing to someone who's been there and can not remember the history of this particular hotel.

Firstly, Paradise Island is an island unto itself and is accessed through Nassau. The Kerzner Organization (Sol Kershner) owns approximately 600 acres (almost 70%) of the entire island. My parents, actually, own acres on this island as well. That's why trying to remember this hotel is somewhat confusing to me.

Paradise Island was once owned by Donald Trump. Now, Atlantis (one of the most expensive hotels in the world) has made the island very popular.

Other than the passages you quoted, I can't seem to find any historic reference to the hotel. (I'm not saying there aren't any, just that I can't seem to locate them )

[E-Cat]

Paradise Island was once owned by Donald Trump.

No - perhaps you missed my earlier reply on this subject, but as stated before :
D. Trump never ever owned the island. Yes- he did buy Resorts Int'l which included Paradise Island Hotel - but that is not the same as buying the entire (Paradise) Island.

[Vissie]

Paradise Island was once owned by Donald Trump.

No - perhaps you missed my earlier reply on this subject, but as stated before :
D. Trump never ever owned the island. Yes- he did buy Resorts Int'l which included Paradise Island Hotel - but that is not the same as buying the entire (Paradise) Island.

With all due respect, you're incorrect.

Resorts International owned Paradise Island, a hotel and casino in the Bahamas, and the unfinished Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City. Trump owned 80% of RI, effectively owning the island. You can buy islands in the Bahamas. For example, Johnny Depp owns Little Hall’s Pond Cay and Nic Cage also owns an island in the Exuma Cays. Paradise Island is only about 4 miles long by 1 mile wide.

In 1988 Merv wanted to buy RI. Trump, unaware that Merv was bidding against him, bid $22/share for the remaining outstanding shares of stock. Merv, slyly, bid $35/share and took control of RI. In a brief meeting, Merv and Trump sorted out who owned what. Trump was left with only the Taj Mahal. Merv couldn't make a go of the Paradise Island Resort & Casino property and eventually filed for bankruptcy.

Anyway, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this

[E-Cat]

With all due respect, you're incorrect. Resorts International owned Paradise Island, a hotel and casino in the Bahamas

NO - Resorts did NOT OWN Paradise Island - but OWNED Paradise Island Hotel

Trump owned 80% of RI, effectively owning the island

NO - Resorts did not effectively owned the island as suggested - in fact Trump owned 80 % of Resorts International (who owned 70 % of the Island)
so Trump could never have owned more than 56 % of the Island - which is not the same as effectively owning the Island at all ....

but even if Trump owned 300 % of the Island - he would not have had a controlling stake in the Island...

...spent too much energy on this topic..- pm for more details

[ColinB]

...but even if Trump owned 300 % of the Island - he would not have had a controlling stake in the Island...

he would.............

[Vissie]

With all due respect, you're incorrect. Resorts International owned Paradise Island, a hotel and casino in the Bahamas

NO - Resorts did NOT OWN Paradise Island - but OWNED Paradise Island Hotel

Trump owned 80% of RI, effectively owning the island

NO - Resorts did not effectively owned the island as suggested - in fact Trump owned 80 % of Resorts International (who owned 70 % of the Island)
so Trump could never have owned more than 56 % of the Island - which is not the same as effectively owning the Island at all ....

but even if Trump owned 300 % of the Island - he would not have had a controlling stake in the Island...

...spent too much energy on this topic..- pm for more details

Here are my last words on this (you're right.. too much energy has been spent). Here are some references for you.

Kerzner International
The Bahamas

http://www.hospitalityguild.com/Financial/Casinos/Kerzner.htm

Through certain Bahamian subsidiaries, the Company owns approximately 600 acres or almost 70% of Paradise Island, on some of which the Company owns and operates Atlantis, its flagship property. Atlantis is a 2,317-room, ocean-themed destination casino resort located on Paradise Island, The Bahamas. Atlantis features three interconnected hotel towers, the Royal Tower, the Coral Tower and the Beach Tower, all built around a seven-acre lagoon and a 34-acre marine environment that includes an open-air aquarium. Atlantis also features an entertainment complex containing approximately 1,000 slot machines and 80 table games, 17 restaurants, approximately 100,000 square feet of convention space, a sports center, over 30,000 square feet of high-end retail space and a 63-slip, full service marina. The Company also owns and operates the Ocean Club Resort, a high-end luxury resort hotel with 106 rooms and suites located on Paradise Island, as well as the Ocean Club Golf Course, a water plant, and other improvements on Paradise Island. The Company owns approximately 100 acres of undeveloped land, which is available for sale or development.

When Kerzner purchased Hurricane Hole Marina for $23 million in 2005, it gave him control of nearly all major water access to the island. So not only did he own the island, he controlled who came and went. Since 1993, he has devoted himself to buying up practically every bit of land on Paradise Island.

One thing I did want to mention (which I am not clear on)... there is a difference between these two:

Paradise Island Hotel in Nassau

and

Paradise Island Hotel on Paradise Island.

They are 2 different locations (Paradise Island and Nassau). Perhaps the hotel Elvis visited was in Nassau on the island of New Providence (if there was such a place) (?)

As I said E-Cat, we will just have to agree to disagree on this.

he would.............

As I mentioned, private citizens/companies can own islands in the Bahamas.

[E-Cat]

With all due respect, you're incorrect. Resorts International owned Paradise Island, a hotel and casino in the Bahamas

NO - Resorts did NOT OWN Paradise Island - but OWNED Paradise Island Hotel

Trump owned 80% of RI, effectively owning the island

NO - Resorts did not effectively owned the island as suggested - in fact Trump owned 80 % of Resorts International (who owned 70 % of the Island)
so Trump could never have owned more than 56 % of the Island - which is not the same as effectively owning the Island at all ....

but even if Trump owned 300 % of the Island - he would not have had a controlling stake in the Island...

...spent too much energy on this topic..- pm for more details[/quote]

Here are my last words on this (you're right.. too much energy has been spent). Here are some references for you. Kerzner International The Bahamas : Through certain Bahamian subsidiaries, the Company owns approximately 600 acres or almost 70% of Paradise Island[/b]

Yes and if Donald owned 80 % of Res. Int';s who owned to 70 % of the Island - that just above 50 % - which is totally in contrast to your earlier statements that he owned the entire island. Exaclty as explained in all previous responses. and again: donald Trump never ever owned the entire Island !

When Kerzner purchased Hurricane Hole Marina for $23 million in 2005, it gave him control of nearly all major water access to the island. So not only did he own the island, he controlled who came and went. Since 1993, he has devoted himself to buying up practically every bit of land on Paradise Island.

New owner Sol would not be so dedicated to own the Island if he already owned the Island, now woud he ? - he bought Res. Intl from Grinnfin Company - who bought if from Trump. Trump sold his stake 20 years ago ! At that time Trump owned 56 % of the Island (in absolute numbers) - but he was definitely not in control of the entire island as you keep on insisting, There is only ome person in control these day and that is Sol Kezner.

not sure what you are trying to achieve here. First you asked if Elvis owned a condo - and when we answer that - you bluntly state that he in fact did own a condy (which he did not) Than you ask when he went to Bahamas and once we answered that you need some more info about the history of Paradise Hotel - which we provided into much detail. Then you state that Donald Trump owned the entire Island of which I confirfmed many times that Mr Trump did NOT owned the entire Island. Then you state your parents owns acres of land on Paradise. Island (who could only confirm what I stated) and now, you come up with information that it is not Donald Trump but current owner Sol who controls the Island -- how odd.

I also asked you multiple times to post off-topic coments per pm.

As I said E-Cat, we will just have to agree to disagree on this.

No - you can't disagree with facts

[Little Darlin]

not sure what you are trying to achieve here. First you asked if Elvis owned a condo - and when we answer that - you bluntly state that he in fact did own a condy (which he did not) Than you ask when he went to Bahamas and once we answered that you need some more info about the history of Paradise Hotel - which we provided into much detail. Then you state that Donald Trump owned the entire Island of which I confirfmed many times that Mr Trump did NOT owned the entire Island. Then you state your parents owns acres of land on Paradise. Island (who could only confirm what I stated) and now, you come up with information that it is not Donald Trump but current owner Sol who controls the Island -- how odd.

Sorry to wade in here E-Cat but I fully agree with what you are saying here and I have noticed on a couple of other occasions too.

Vissie ..

This meant in the nicest possible way .. You have had disagreements with the Legend that is Ger Rijff (Tallhair2) and now N8 and E-Cat .. these 3 people are very well respected for their opinions on this Messageboard and I would hate to think that anything posted was going to offend them.

Please remember I mean no disrespect whatsoever .. just pointing something out.

[Melanie1]

THAT house and Elvis, isn't it good PR?

[Vissie]

E-Cat, I will let you have the last word. It's not worth it to me go round and round with this. Also, for the record, I never said that Elvis owned a condo in the Bahamas. I posted photos and asked anyone here if they could confirm or deny if he did actually own one.

Vissie ..

This meant in the nicest possible way .. You have had disagreements with the Legend that is Ger Rijff (Tallhair2) and now N8 and E-Cat .. these 3 people are very well respected for their opinions on this Messageboard and I would hate to think that anything posted was going to offend them.

Please remember I mean no disrespect whatsoever .. just pointing something out.

I was sarcastically addressed by someone named Tallhair2 in a thread of mine. It was unsolicited and unprovoked. I've had discussions with N8 and with E-Cat.

Are you implying that I am not allowed to openly discuss my opinions and viewpoints here? If that is the case, then please have Pep or the owner of this MB contact me, ok?

[Little Darlin]

Are you implying that I am not allowed to openly discuss my opinions and viewpoints here? If that is the case, then please have Pep or the owner of this MB contact me, ok?

Nope .. not at all .. merely pointing out that the afore mentioned People are long standing Members who know what they are talking about... and ''new'' Elvis fans can learn an awful lot from them.

[Vissie]

Are you implying that I am not allowed to openly discuss my opinions and viewpoints here? If that is the case, then please have Pep or the owner of this MB contact me, ok?

Nope .. not at all .. merely pointing out that the afore mentioned People are long standing Members who know what they are talking about... and ''new'' Elvis fans can learn an awful lot from them.

You referred to "Legend that is Ger Rijff (Tallhair2)", N8 and E-Cat . As I said, I was ridiculed by Tallhair2 in an unprovoked, unwarranted post. N8 and E-Cat both discussed non-Elvis related topics (N8 in regards to my autographs and E-Cat in relationship to Paradise Island). I'm sorry, but Elvis had nothing to do with what was being said.

[JEFF d]

Ok, folks enough is enough... can this thread be moved to the Off Topic or Chat section now?

...and NO Elvis did not own a condo in the Bahamas.

JEFF d
EP fan

[E-Cat]

thx BD - much appreciated.

Yes Jeff you are right and have sent a pm to PEP to remove this topic to the off-topic section

[Vissie]

thx BD - much appreciated.

Yes Jeff you are right and have sent a pm to PEP to remove this topic to the off-topic section

Perhaps a better request would be to delete it altogether