Travel: Putting Bermuda Hotels Back On The Map

Bermuda is having a renaissance of new hotels for ocean-front, contemporary vacations – and as a World Travel & Tourism Council ‘Safe Travels’ destination the islands are definitely open for business. We’ve been lucky enough to spend some time there, cast away in the western North Atlantic Ocean, safe from the global pandemic.

As at June 2021, immunised visitors must quarantine at their accommodation until they receive a negative result from their arrival test at the airport (typically less than 24 hours) and then test on days 4, 8 and 14. The full regulations are here https://www.gov.bm/applying-bermuda-travel-authorisation.

Only a few of the gem hotels are mentioned here – the StRegis Bermuda Resort which opened in summer 2021, Rosewood Tucker’s Town, the Hamilton Princess and the very stylish The Loren.



These hotels are a world away from the monolith that hideously disfigured Bermuda in the shape of the 593-room Fairmont Southampton – now closed for a much needed $100m refurbishment, and the charming, but tired, colony cottages at Coral Beach Club.


The 120-room St. Regis Bermuda Resort tucked away at the north of the island is perched perilously close to one of the five historic forts and with barely a nod to colourful St. George’s UNESCO status. One of the ways to reach it is via a narrow, winding road through the revived golf course – dotted with GPS-enabled golf carts.


Alongwith Bermuda’s shiny new airport, the St Regis’s proposed  5,500 sq. ft. gaming floor casino is the great hope to put Bermuda back on the jet set map.



Here’s a shot we took of the resort while we were yachting by whale watching  – it’s big, but spread out and has a great beach and infinite views with nearest landfall over one thousand kilometers away. It’s exposed for hurricane season although direct hits are rare, so we’ll see how it fares.


 

Just steps from the white sands of Bermuda’s famed St. Catherine’s Beach, in the town of St. George’s, adjacent to the historical site of St. Catherine’s Fort and only 8 minutes away from the airport.

 

Marble bathroom includes dual vanities, a standalone bathtub with a separate shower at St Regis Bermuda



A must try is the Gates Bay Mary, a twist on the Bloody Mary. The Gates Bay Mary is named for the turquoise bay of the resort and infuses native fennel, Goslings Gold Seal Rum, Outerbridge’s Original Sherry Peppers Sauce, and a special spice mix created on the island – yours for 18 bucks. Or the Champagne Sabering signature ceremony of the St. Regis Evening Rituals series and is celebrated daily at 6:00 pm.

The jury’s still out on the St Regis, but we do know it’s pricey!

To the east is the 91-rooms and suites Rosewood Tucker’s Point hotel which is approached through impressive gates astride rolling golf course fairways enveloping you in this 240-acre coastal estate with touches of Bermuda’s British colonial heritage. You’ll find four freshwater swimming pools, a croquet lawn, a beach club and watersports centre, as well as tennis and a full service spa. The Italian restaurant, Sul Verde, in the golf Clubhouse has the best meat balls and focaccia this side of Naples. For an immersive olfactory experience like no other, the Perfumery Masterclass at Lili Bermuda is one of Rosewood’sTimeless Traveler offerings at this celebrated 90-year-old fragrance house in the historic town of St. George’s. A good bet for a real getaway.


The Loren, which opened in 2017, has already put Bermuda back on the map remaking the Pink Beach Club into contemporary modern, low-slung stylish hotel. The Reception building wouldn’t look out of place in Palm Springs or Miami. Built along the coastline and into the cliffs the five acre property is a stunning seaside escape which Conde Nast Traveller called ‘one of the finest places to open on the island in years’. Dining at the Pink Beach Club is quite an experience, almost at sea level you can sometimes be sprayed by the waves while tucking into interesting food on weekly themed-nights or $55 weekend brunch menu with scrambled eggs & caviar, lobster hash and Key lime pie.


You’ll also be doing good with The Loren Roots Initiative, a reforestation non-profit, as a voluntary 1.5% contribution will be added to your bill – a small amount towards helping make a difference.


The Loren reminded me of this great spot in Turkey – Dinner at Maca Kizi Bodrum Turkey


The Loren Bermuda – ‘non invasive’ design

Elements like a glass-enclosed spiral staircase give the beachy Loren a contemporary feel

 

Inside The Loren Bermuda


The Loren’s collection of international modern art feels like a private gallery with some notable pieces commissioned specifically for the resort. Among the pieces that grace both the communal areas as well as accommodations, are sculptures, paintings, and mixed-media from artists that include Brazil’s Vik Muniz and Cuba’s creative collective, Los Carpinteros.


Although the art at The Loren is not a patch on the Green family’s art collection at the Hamilton Princess,   This 458-room business hotel, harbour and beach club is still one of the jewels of Bermuda. It’s central location in Hamilton means it fits the bill for most stays – business during the week and weekend style getaways. The lobby is wall-to-wall art from some of the great names of modern art: Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, René Magritte and more recently Julian Opie, Ai Weiwei, Andy Warhol, David Hockney and, of course, Banksy. It’s well worth a look, and you can book a guided tour with the concierge.


Miffy by Tom Sachs in the lobby of the Hamilton Princess Bermuda

The grounds of the Hamilton Princess hotel feature a moon gate, one of the island’s national symbols.

 

As there are no hire cars, getting around Bermuda for visitors is typically via “Twizy”, 2-passenger electric vehicle rentals, electric minicar Hummers or by scooter.


You’ll find daily and seasonal nonstop flights to Bermuda from the U.S., Canada and the U.K. It is just a 90-minute non-stop flight from NYC.  From London, it’s about a 7-hour flight with British Airways from London Heathrow.


And if you’ve ever wondered why the beaches are pink – and they really are, it’s actually a combination of crushed coral, calcium carbonate and the shells of tiny single-celled animals called Foraminifera.


Bermuda is Open. You are Welcome.


www.gotobermuda.com