BEWITCHED BY BERMUDA
We visited in October half term – only 7 hours from London’s Heathrow (5.5 hours on the way home thanks to the jet stream!). Whilst this is the tail end of hurricane season in the Caribbean, importantly Bermuda is not in the Caribbean and indeed the Bermuda Travel Authority actually say that the best times to visit the island is September and October when it is not as humid as it is in the summer months. We were lucky to have some stunning beach and golf days with a couple of unseasonably showery days but on the whole that didn’t stop us from doing anything,
When it came to choosing hotels, I wanted something traditional and also something which would enable access to some reasonably priced rounds of golf. We had a week to pack in as much as we could and so I chose a 2 centre holiday to ensure we could take in as many sight of the entire island as we could. We based ourselves out of Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa in the West of Bermuda in Sandy’s Parish for the first 3 days. A stunning resort with gorgeous little pink cottages dotted around the resort every single one with a sea view. This hotel was celebrating its 100th year – it was one of the first hotels on the island and the main reception building is like walking back in time to the 20s. Just incredible. And there are 4 beaches to choose from. Watch the sunrise at the pool or Shoreline restaurant overlooking Mangrove Bay or watch the sunset at Breezes Al Fresco Restaurant and Bar overlooking Long Beach. Just perfect!
I am an avid sunset chaser and have seen some gorgeous ones including the sunset in Oia in Santorini which they badge as being one of the best sunsets in the world. I now know that to be a complete fabrication as the best sunsets I have ever seen in my life were my first 2 nights in Bermuda overlooking Long Beach on the West of the island. They were simply breath-taking; at times it looked like the sky was on fire. Our photos all look like they’ve been photoshopped but I can assure you I don’t have the technical ability to do that and all the photos you see here on my blog are originals. Just out of this world!
The nearest golf course to Cambridge Beaches was Port Royal Golf Club; a fantastic golf course which hosts the PGA Tour for the annual Butterfield Bermuda Championship with stunning sea views especially on the back 9. The Royal Naval Dockyard, home to the cruise terminal with its historical buildings, shopping, restaurants, arts and experiences was also nearby which made for an interesting trip out.
The second half of our trip was spent at the Newstead Belmont Hills Hotel & Spa about half way along the island, near to the capital Hamilton, which has its own golf course too and provides a complimentary first round of golf to its guests (not to be snuffed at in one of the world’s most expensive places to holiday). Unexpectedly (but an added bonus) this hotel also had access to the Coco Reef Beach Club on the south shore with complimentary transfers. In addition the hotel also had a complimentary boat shuttle to the capital Hamilton (literally 5 minutes away across the bay) which is handy for going for dinner in the evening for a change of scene and visiting beautiful Front Street.
We took in the sights of St George’s, a UNESCO World heritage site which was the first English settlement on the island (1612). It is full of colonial buildings including the Bermuda Old State House from 1620, the Old Rectory from 1699 and St Peter’s Church and is often described as the oldest continually inhabited British town in the New World. St George’s was definitely worth the visit.
Other sights include the island’s most famous beach at Horseshoe Bay with its salmon coloured sand and teal waters consistently heralded as one of the world’s top beaches. Then there is the Crystal & Fantasy Caves to the East of the island near St George’s which are a natural wonder formed thousands of years ago featuring stunning azure underground pools and incredible formations of every shape and size imaginable.
I think it will take me a while to get Bermuda out of my mind. It truly is a very special place. Want to be bewitched by Bermuda too? Perhaps combine the beach and golf with a city break in New York? Do speak to me first for lots of top tips and hotel and activity recommendations.
