To many New Yorkers’ surprise, Bermuda is only a two-hour flight away. While the archipelago is a hop, skip, and a jump away from the fray of the “Big Apple,” it couldn’t be more different: Pastel-hued buildings stock the streets of Bermuda’s numerous parishes, pockets of pink-sand beaches appear then disappear again due to the island’s sinuously craggy coastline, and verdure terrain sans pollution cajoles you to consider moving here, ditching your 9-5 back home.
When it comes to boutique Bermudan hotels, Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa outclasses. It’s a cluster of pretty-in-pink cottages peppered across a 23-acre peninsula boasting private coves and strands.
Originally built a century ago, the hotel just reopened after a massive renovation — and the result is beautiful.
The lobby is a plush slice of upscale tropicality: Pineapple-textured lamps, sun-shaped sconces, green-striped chairs, faded pink sofas, and punchy magenta ottomans fill the space. You will see it all when you check in (of course, with one of their gratuitous welcome drinks in hand).
Cottages feel whimsical and tropical, from their motifs to paint jobs. A mix of Portuguese, Spanish, and British design features embed the aesthetic, serving as a nod to the island’s wealth of residents whose ancestors immigrated here over the last few centuries. Regarding decor, the little touches count: Nightstands framed in light brown wood fluting, ethereal motifs displaying flora- & fauna-patterned headboards, and pastel-green ceilings in many of the rooms seduce you into “island time.” If you’re looking to splurge (and you totally deserve to, don’t think you don’t for a second), the Private Pool Water View Cottage has its own private pool atop a sea-facing bluff (if the private plunge pool doesn’t come with your room, the hotel has one for all guests).
Executive Chef Keith DeShields helms culinary efforts at al fresco restaurant Breezes and poolside eatery Pastel. That said, the hotel’s best haunt for dining & drinking is its Sunken Harbor Club, a moody restaurant & bar with a maritime-infused décor that serves island fare and creative cocktails conjured by illustrious mixologist and restaurateur St. John Frizell (You might have been to its only other location in Brooklyn?).
The spa here is tantalizing — opt for the Soothe the Soul treatment: a fusion of Reiki and a traditional massage. Also attached to the spa are a private Adults-Only beach, aquarian baths, fitness center, and whirlpool.
So, should this article have convinced you to whisk away to Bermuda, opt to go in March-October — when the weather is warmer and skies show more sun.
One last tip for the new year: 2023 will be the storied property’s centennial anniversary, and in celebration, Cambridge Beaches will offer a season full of special guest programming and events to commemorate 100 years of loyal guests, endless memories, unforgettable stories, and unique place in Bermuda’s colorful history.
Top Takeaways
Location: St. George, Bermuda
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: A pretty-in-pink hamlet of seaside cottages that whisks you away from the hustle & bustle you left at home.
Food & Drink: Breezes and Pastel are two restaurants culinarily helmed by Chef Keith DeShields. Additionally, there’s Sunken Harbor Club, which serves island fare and tropical cocktails amidst a dimly lit, maritime-tinged décor.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The Private Pool Water View Cottage. Rumor has it, the Clintons used to stay here. Imagine waking up to a private plunge pool and view of the sea from your bed, made possible by a floor-to-ceiling window that transparently demarcates inside from outside.
Any neighborhood recs?: Other than a nearby convenience store and coffee shop, you can’t walk anywhere, being that the hotel is quite secluded. That said, and this is way more exhilarating than going afoot, opt to rent a scooter for the day at the hotel, then drive thirty minutes to the island’s heartthrob Hamilton (you should spend a morning or afternoon here, exploring all its shops and restaurants — for breakfast, head to Devil’s Isle for pancakes). Anyway, the drive from Cambridge Beaches to the capital is a gorgeous 30-minute trek: colorful houses varying in size, pastel-hued churches, lush landscapes, scattered beaches, and yacht-filled harbors are Bermudan eye-candy you will play witness to while en route.
Amenities: Tennis courts, private beach areas, one bar, three restaurants, two swimming pools, spa, hot tub/jacuzzi
Pricing: Rates start at $227/night during off-season; expect to pay $650+/night during peak-season
Rooms: 86 cottages (our favorites are the villas with private plunge pools).
Closest airport: L.F. Wade International Airport
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