4 Hotels That Are Redefining Caribbean Luxury - AFAR
"The St. Regis Bermuda Resort, the first branded resort on the island, doesn’t take this distinction lightly—in fact, it makes the most of its storied location, paying tribute to it in charmingly creative ways. History buffs and all guests alike get the exclusive experience of not just visiting historic St. Catherine’s Beach and Fort, at the northeastern tip of St. George’s (a UNESCO World Heritage Site itself, renowned for its calm water and soft, white sand); they spend their days and nights there for a deeper, more immersive vacation. The resort is located steps from Gates Bay, the spot where Bermuda’s first settlers, the privateer Sir George Somers and his party, washed ashore in 1609 after their vessel the Sea Venture was shipwrecked. Their story is said to have inspired Shakespeare in writing The Tempest. And so, the mural behind The St. Regis Bar depicts the waves that swallowed the ships of fact and fiction. It’s the work of Brooklyn-based artist Johanna Burke, who added little hands to the bottom of her composition (a reference to Prospero concluding The Tempest by asking the groundlings to clap him off the stage). This kind of attention to detail throughout the hotel is what makes moments like sipping the must-try cocktail The Gates Bay Mary—an inspired variant of The St. Regis signature Bloody Mary that blends Gosling’s Black Seal Rum with local island spices—all the more enjoyable. Another thoughtful element making this resort such a special destination is afternoon tea, a beloved ritual of both The St. Regis and Bermuda. Guests may enjoy their favorite brew—Earl Grey, herbal, whatever they fancy—in The Drawing Room, along with scones and candy-colored macarons, a tradition inspired by The St. Regis founder’s mother Caroline Astor and perfected over 100 years. You’ll discover a chic approach to design here too. In guest rooms, bright white walls maximize the light flooding in from windows that open onto brilliant ocean views, several with spacious balconies. The décor deliberately doesn’t try to compete with the magnificent, multi-colored sunsets Bermuda is known for. A premium has been placed on relaxation and rejuvenation everywhere here. On the ground floor, The St. Regis Spa uses local ingredients and offers various healing and restorative massages. And the guest bathrooms throughout the resort are soothing spa retreats unto themselves, with custom bathtubs made for the resort by Claybrook Interiors of natural stone and cladding. The resort offers manmade waters as calmly inviting as the sea at St. Catherine’s beach: two outdoor infinity pools, one strictly for adults and one for families. Lounge between laps on inviting chaises, and from the vantage point in a private cabana, take in the glorious views in every direction. Or bask in Bermuda’s brilliant blue space from a farther, greener distance: the lush links of the Five Forts Golf Club offer enchanting vistas from every hole. Continue the communion with the sea at Lina, a casual eatery, and BLT Steak, where oysters and shrimp, Branzino, and local Snapper, satisfy the seafood-lover’s palate. And why not try one’s luck at the hotel’s classic casino? The very first for The St. Regis brand, it’s on par with the world’s most glamorous seaside destinations for gaming."
