Off-Season Bermuda Idyll
June 09, 2008
Even in February, the Fairmont's Bermuda properties live up to the highest standards
By Daniel Corcoran
As I drove to the Newark, N.J., airport in the middle of a February snowstorm, I was extra careful not to speed. Not only was the driving treacherous, but any police officer who saw me wearing shorts and a pastel-colored short-sleeve shirt would probably offer me a complimentary Breathalyzer as well. The truth was, I had been invited down to experience Bermuda in what was traditionally referred to as the off-season, but was now being marketed as the "golf and spa" season. Regardless of what they call this time of year in the islands, it is called "winter" in New Jersey, so I was excited to be going (in spite of the raised eyebrow that my wife gave me when I told her about this "business trip").
Upon landing from the quick, hour-and-40-minute flight, I began exiting the plane into 71-degree, no-clouds-in-the-sky weather. Suddenly, my attire was perfect. I grabbed my bags and headed to the curb to meet Tony "Fly" Hodgson, the fiancé of a friend and fellow medical student of my wife's, who had offered to drive me wherever I might need to go in Bermuda. As we drove away from the airport, Fly pointed out the various hotels that were expanding and renovating to meet the needs of the ever-growing number of groups and individuals who make Bermuda their preferred travel destination.
Soon we were motoring up the grand drive of the Fairmont Southampton, past the meticulously maintained golf course to the front entrance. We were warmly welcomed by the bellman and the very friendly staff at the front desk. It was clear that Bermuda had passed the first test: being perfectly staffed to address the arrival and needs of the golf/spa season guests!
After checking in and unpacking, I met Fly in the lobby, and he drove me out to the Royal Naval Dockyards and the Keep, a six-acre fortress that is now part of the Bermuda Maritime Museum as well as home to wonderful shops and restaurants. We started with a memorable meal at the Frog & Onion. With the feel and décor of an English castle, right down to the large, stone fireplace bar, the Frog & Onion makes for a must-experience establishment. Be sure to try the Dockyard Fish & Chips, and of course a planter's punch (the traditional rum swizzle, with an extra shot of Bermuda's Gosling's Black Seal rum). It's a great spot for a group to start or even spend a day, with attractions that include a swim-with-the-dolphins experience at Dolphin Quest, the Bermuda Arts Centre and lots of special-event venues. It's also a good spot to rent a boat or a scooter (in Bermuda, visitors can't rent cars).
The next day, we explored the island by car and on foot, enjoying beautiful walking trails at Horseshoe Bay along the South Shore. We continued our exploration by moving on to St. George's, the original capital of Bermuda. St. George's offers an abundance of history throughout its museums, houses and buildings—dating back to 1612 when the city was first settled. From there our journey took us to today's capital of Bermuda, Hamilton.
Hamilton is located on Hamilton Harbour (no surprise there) and offers breathtaking views and a bounty of wonderful experiences in its restaurants, pubs and shops. The U.S. dollar is of equal value and interchangeable with the Bermudian dollar, so shopping is easy and convenient.
Of course there was another "walking" experience I had been looking forward to: a world-class par-3 executive golf course, located on the grounds of the Fairmont Southampton. Guests of both this property and its sister Fairmont, the Hamilton Princess, can enjoy the executive course as well as have access to the par-70 championship course at Riddells' Bay Golf & Country Club. In addition to these, Bermuda has seven other courses spread across the island.
If it's an indoor experience your group craves, go no further than the Southampton's 31,000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa and Fitness Centre. The spa offers its own pool, Jacuzzis and other water features as well as a beauty salon. For the accuracy of this story, I committed myself to exper- iencing the spa's offerings firsthand—suffice it to say, I'll definitely be back.
 I ended the day with Fly's future in-laws at the hotel's 320-year-old Waterlot Inn, and it was one of the finest meals I've ever eaten. Maitre d'hotel Barry Cohen and his staff have earned their AAA Four Diamond and Wine Spectator awards, and deserve inclusion in any dine-around—and so has its sister restaurant, the Newport Room, the first AAA Five Diamond restaurant in Bermuda and the Caribbean.
The Fairmont Southampton has eight other restaurants and bars to feed the guests in its 593 rooms and suites, each of which has a private terrace or balcony. The property has a private beach and pool, along with plenty of watersports equipment available on site—Jet Skis, snorkeling and scuba gear and sailing. The property's 50,000 square feet of meeting space includes the nearly 12,000-square-foot Poinciana Ballroom, the largest in Bermuda, which can accommodate as many as 1,500 guests for a reception.
The following morning I toured the Southampton with Peter Frith, the director of sales and a 26-year veteran at the Southampton. As we walked the property, it was clear from the quality and appearance of the guest rooms, the food service and technology available in the various meeting rooms, as well as its many travel awards, that Peter and his team know how to cater to groups. Among the features that will interest planners is the Explorers Camp for children, so family-friendly incentive groups will be able to get the most out of a Fairmont Bermuda experience.
While the Fairmont Southampton is a beachfront property, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, which overlooks Hamilton Harbour, is right in the heart of town. There is a ferry between the Southampton and the "Pink Palace," which dates to 1885. Guests at either Fairmont property have access to the facilities of both. The Hamilton Princess is renowned for its high tea service at the Heritage Court restaurant. The elegant, old-world property recently underwent a $30 million renovation. It has 367 rooms and 43 suites, as well as 30,000 square feet of meeting space (the ballroom can accommodate 1,000 for a reception). And, of course, there is the location overlooking Hamilton Harbour: simply breathtaking. My last day was spent enjoying the mild, mid-70s weather by trekking up to the Gibbs Lighthouse, which offers a stunning bird's-eye view of all that I had seen and done on this beautiful island.
A Fairmont representative had promised me that "experiencing Bermuda in the non-traditional season" would live up to "every expectation that [I] could imagine." Call it what you want: The golf and spa season, meeting season, off-season—regardless, one thing's for sure: It did indeed surpass my expectations.
Planner Resources
The Fairmont Hamilton Princess
rehanna.palumbo@fairmont.com
www.fairmont.com/hamilton
The Fairmont Southampton
peter.frith@fairmont.com
www.fairmont.com/southampton
Bermuda Maritime Museum
www.bmm.bm
Dolphin Quest
www.dolphinquest.org/destinations/bermuda
The Frog & Onion Pub
www.frogandonion.bm
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