The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2017
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Current

Employment History

• The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas; One&Only Ocean Club, Paradise Island, Bahamas; Minor Hotel Group, Anantara Phuket Mai Khao Villas and Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Residences; various Marriott & Starwood properties worldwide

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, University of Lund, Sweden

Birthplace

• Lund, Sweden

Languages Spoken

• English, Swedish, Danish, German, Spanish

Bright and energetic, Viktoria Riley, Director of Marketing for The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, is like a warm ray of Bahamian sunshine. Her vibrant, welcoming personality and big vision have set the stage for The Ocean Club’s successes during her tenure with the legendary Caribbean resort, which had banner years in 2021 and 2022. Riley spearheaded much of the Resort’s growth, including reopening post-renovation and the Resort’s one-of-a-kind 60th anniversary celebration.

The Resort’s 60th festivities in February 2023 consisted of a three-day affair complete with a diamond-theme outdoor cocktail party under the moonlight, a Bal du Paradis formal gala inspired by the original 1960s grand opening party in the Resort’s Versailles Gardens, and a lavish beachside brunch. Sixty years of glamour is worthy of a grand celebration, and with Riley’s marketing prowess as the driving force behind the festivities, the events were the talk of the town. Leveraging partnerships with brands including Champagne Bollinger and Moët & Chandon, the events also spotlighted the new Four Seasons Private Residences debuting in spring 2023.

“I truly love what I do, representing this iconic resort,” says Riley. “The nostalgia, the glamour, and the incredible history of The Ocean Club set it apart. There is so much more to do as every day brings something new and we continue to write our own story.”

The Ocean Club’s premier location on 35 acres (14 hecatres) makes it a rare gem in the Caribbean, and a coveted location for the Hollywood jet-set to vacation in a private setting. The Resort was prominently featured in the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale — with scenes filmed on the Resort’s front drive, in the Martini Bar, in the four-bedroom Villa and by the Versailles Pool. For a marketing leader, exposure does not get much better than being featured in a blockbuster movie. “Fans love to take a photo in The Martini Bar with a Vesper Martini in hand,” notes Riley.

Riley is proud of collaborating with esteemed publishing house Assouline on the Resort’s first-ever custom coffee table book, The Ocean Club. A gorgeous commemorative book and marketing showpiece, it makes the perfect souvenir for those who are fond of the Resort and its storied past. “It was the first book ever produced in the Resort's 60 years,” notes Riley. “The pages inspire and delight, while sharing the history of our beloved Resort. Our entire team is honoured to collaborate with Assouline on this keepsake."  

A travel industry and luxury hotel specialist, Riley brings more than 25 years of leisure and hospitality experience. She has headed the Marketing Division of The Ocean Club since November 2017, when the Resort transitioned from One&Only, where Riley was Director of Sales & Marketing since June 2016. Previously, Riley opened the North American Global Sales Office for Minor Hotel Group, and before moving to the United States, she served as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing for Anantara Phuket Mai Khao Villas and Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Residences, two luxury boutique resorts in Thailand affiliated with Virtuoso, among others. She has held leadership positions with Marriott International Inc., Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Meliá International among others in Europe, North America, Asia and the Caribbean. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work with people of different cultures from around the world, including esteemed dignitaries, celebrities, royal families and other distinguished world leaders.

Riley was born and raised in Sweden, where her family still lives, and keeps her heritage close by staying active with the local Swedish American Chamber of Commerce (SACC) and the non-profit Swedish Women’s Educational Association (SWEA). Riley has served as President for the SWEA Florida Chapter since 2020, and as a member since 2005. In 2022, Riley hosted the global SWEA World Meeting, welcoming 200 SWEA chapters. In 2023, Riley stepped down from the SWEA board and took on the role of Vice President for SACC-Florida.

Riley and her husband Robert reside in Wellington, Florida along with their beloved rescue dogs, Jackie, a Chihuahua Corgi mix and Mindy, a Chihuahua Poodle mix. In her spare time, Riley loves to support Big Dog Ranch Rescue; travel; cook; shop, and visit daughter Alyssa and grandson Carsten, who live in Arizona. She and Robert also love to entertain and host parties. When she’s not cooking, shopping, or hosting guests, Riley is likely traveling to The Ocean Club or visiting her homeland of Sweden.

An avid shoe and purse collector, Riley has a strong love of fashion and is always dressed to impress. Suffice to say, for Riley, as Director of Marketing of The Ocean Club, the shoe fits and she wears it well.