A Quick Getaway to This British Island is Well Worth It

A bout of development for the 2017 America’s Cup race is a boon for travelers looking for a revived, refreshed and refined getaway just two hours from the U.S. mainland. The pink-sand beaches of Bermuda beckon, whether it’s a round-trip cruise from New York or Boston (a bit more economical for families), or one of several boutique and big-name hotels that just gave this island nation a makeover.

As the first new hotel in 40 years, the Loren at Pink Beach opened to much fanfare last March — and for good reason. Each of the 45 rooms at this boutique property have Atlantic-facing views perched over pastel sands and two saltwater pools. Clean lines, light colors and a modern aesthetic are sure to please millennials and babymooners looking for something a bit outside of the tropical décor box. Even for those not staying here, Marée is worth a drive to the more low-key side of this 21-mile island, or get a cabana pass and just try to spot fish in the turquoise waters that lap the shore at the oceanside swimming pools. (Foodies won’t want to miss a three-course Sunday brunch, served outside, complete with mimosas.)

© Carley Wade

Marcus, Chicago chef Samuelsson’s eponymous restaurant at the newly remodeled Fairmont Princess is also worth hitting up for delicious seafood, his signature rum sizzle (with a secret combination of light and dark rums) or simply for checking out the $100 million renovation that added a dock and outdoor pool. Inside, contemporary artworks from Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst and Nelson Mandela are just waiting to be checked out, and visitors can get a glimpse when they stop by the lobby bar for a tipple and free music on most nights for happy hour. (With Bacardi’s world headquarters down the road, it’s easy to raise any glass filled with delicious spirits!)

Just across the street, but a world away, the intimate, family-owned Rosedon offers a completely different experience. The main house here was also renovated in 2017 and the lovely Huckleberry restaurant was introduced, bringing contemporary Bermudian, Southern and Mediterranean fare to both guests and visitors. Don’t miss Tipsy Tea, a new English tradition featuring infused gins served in gorgeous brass pineapples and delicate snacks in the afternoon on the wraparound porch. You’d never know just behind the main house are 40 spacious and quiet rooms overlooking the center courtyard and its heated pool and tropical gardens. It’s a mini escape from some of the island’s larger and punchier properties, despite Rosedon’s location within walking distance to all of the main attractions in the capital of Hamilton.

The newest of all of these hotel gems is Rosewood, reopening in April after a $25 million renovation. The new furnishings showcase Bermudian designers and pay homage to the island’s past and present with beachy hues and contemporary designs. Ninety-two rooms, the spa, beach club and golf clubhouse all got a face-lift, in addition to a lobby bar and lounge, Tucker’s rum bar and two new restaurants.

No matter where you stay or what your age, fun activities abound besides beach-going. You might consider:

• Dolphin Quest at the Royal Naval Dockyard, also filled with shopping experiences, pub dining and the Bermuda National Museum. Check out the dolphin encounters here with group shows, side-by-side swimming and more.
• Glass-bottomed boat tours at Island Tour Centre, also at the Dockyard, are held in the afternoon and illuminated at night. Adults can enjoy free rum cocktails, and kids can gaze down at colorful schools of fish and coral as you venture out to the Bermuda Triangle.
• The Crystal Caves cannot be missed! A clear ocean-fed lake leads to dramatic subterranean formations, and the white-crystal stalactites are worth marveling at. If you can’t make a guided visit, trek over to Grotto Bay Beach Resort for a (free) miniature version.

Twizy electric cars are the newest way to explore (forget all images of those zippy and sometimes-dangerous scooters). You’ll find charging stations at all of the island’s high points to plan your journey, and the best views of azure waters from the open windows, with the wind rushing through your hair.

© Carley Wade