It’s as British as afternoon tea, as Bermudian as walking shorts, and as American as a round of golf! (Bermuda boasts more courses per square mile than anywhere else in the world.) Tony guests head to these top cottage colonies and rarified resorts.
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Pink Beach Club & Cottages (www.pinkbeach.com) is a waterfront estate in exclusive Tucker’s Town. Because Managing Director Michael J. Williams (441-293-1616) is a member of the nearby and private Mid-Ocean Golf Course, guests of the hotel have access to the prestigious course. Contact Sue Shutts ([email protected]; 800-355-6161) for room reservations and tee-times. Shutts recommends rooms in the Ambassador and Governor Cottages for their ocean views, wet bar, dressing room, fireplace, patio and pathway to the ocean. The Surfside, Beach or Sea Cliff Cottages are ideal for families because they sit right on the beach. The new fitness center is in a hilltop cottage where Marline Minks, the favored therapist, provides in-room spa treatments. Chef Concierge Alison Purcell has arranged Gombay dancers and balcony serenades to entertain VIP guests; more often, she plans private dinners on the patio,
yacht charters and taxis. Agents can book golf tee-times, spa treatments or sailing trips via the Online Concierge on the hotel’s website.
Elbow Beach (www.mandarinoriental.com), a luxurious beach resort, is just 10 minutes outside Hamilton, Bermuda’s cultural, political and shopping capital. Reservations Manager Emma Uprichard ([email protected]; 441-236-3535) recommends Bird of Paradise, the new stand-alone beachfront cottage. Built with lovers in mind, it boasts a fireplace, French doors that open onto a private deck, a sunken tub-for-two and state-of-the-art entertainment system with flat-screen televisions and DVD player. The resort’s two-story Penthouse has butler service and a Jacuzzi on a private balcony. The Asian-inspired spa, introduced by General Manager Frank Stocek last August, features six private treatment suites (two are for couples), each with its own soaking tub, shower and private balcony with ocean views. Spa Manager Sharon Holtz oversees the Chinese, Ayurvedic, European, Balinese and Thai-influenced treatments. Call ahead for a scrub that blends Bermuda Honey, E’SPA pink mud and hot stones, and four-hand massages. Contact Clefs d’Or concierge Rochelle Desilva ([email protected]) for VIP requests.
The Reefs (www.thereefs.com), a cluster of pink, low-rise, cliffside buildings on Bermuda’s South Shore, is nestled among limestone cliffs that overlook its own private beach. Patricia Alison ([email protected]), reservations manager, recommends the oceanfront balconies outside Point Suites for the best views. Caroline Bartlett (441-238-0222 ext. 242), supervisor of La Sirena Spa, recommends booking the popular La Sirena Hot Rock Therapy when making room reservations. General Manager Neal Stephens ([email protected]) has one of the highest return-visitor rates of any hotel on the island and oversees three dining options during the season. Front Desk Manager Priya Guha ([email protected]) handles concierge requests including scuba and fishing excursions, as well as a specialty of the house: Dining at tables on the beach just 15 feet from the ocean. For VIP events, request Caso’s Point, a dramatic deck with spectacular views.
Cambridge Beaches (www.cambridgebeaches.com) is a cottage colony on an expansive peninsula with five private beaches located near Dockyard (about 30 minutes from the airport). Guest Services Manager Nadja Talevi recommends Windswept, a three-bedroom, three-bathroom cottage, and Pegum, a two-bedroom,
two-bath abode. Newer contemporary rooms overlook Mangrove Bay; one-bedroom Cambridge Suites have ocean views. (Both feature marble bathrooms with jet-tub and shower stall, walk-in closets and dressing room.) For VIPs, Concierge Perry Brangman books golf at Mid-Ocean Golf Course and arranges Private Island Dining (an exclusive butler-served, torch-lit, dinner-for-two served with Dom Perignon). Ocean Spa, a 10,000-square-foot facility is run by Michael Ternent and features Romanesque columns, a retractable roof, and French doors surrounding the indoor swim-against-the-current exercise pool and whirlpool. Louise Palmer is the most requested masseuse. Hotel Manager Richard Quinn is accessible to agents and guests (441-234-0331).
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Ariel Sands (www.arielsands.com) is a small cottage colony in Devonshire Parish, only seven minutes from Hamilton. As part of the Dill Family ownership, actor Michael Douglas is a shareholder of the property, where some rooms open directly to the private beach. Reservations Manager Valerie Constable (800-468-6610) recommends Sea Breeze and Sea Change, the two-bedroom cottages, for families or couples traveling together. Both are set back on top of the hill and have ocean views. Assistant General Manager Nagma Walker handles VIP requests. The three-room spa (there’s also a small gym in the main building) attracts a local clientele so be sure to reserve hair appointments and massages with Kirsty Tomlinson months in advance. She specializes in La Stone therapy and Balinese massages.