"Start us off with an overview. Bermuda is home to a handful of boutique hotels where you’ll get a strong water view—without any beach or sand. On the shores of Hamilton Harbour, where boats routinely make way for dozens of islets and cays, Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort & Spa is one of them. If its wordy nomenclature is any indication, there’s a lot more going on at this uniquely modern hotel than meets the eye, so walk through the chic, glassed-in lobby, grab your complimentary Bermuda rum swizzle at the bar, and enjoy the view. What's the story behind it? This is one of a handful of Bermudian properties that was built in the last decade, and everything here still feels new. The hotel is also quite stylish, and its architects took great steps to preserve the very thing you’ve likely come here for: that stunning harbor view. Everything faces the water, including the sexy infinity pool, the avant-garde guest rooms, and the French restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If sea breezes are your thing, you’ve come to the right place. Tell us all about the accommodations. Rooms here are some of the most modern in Bermuda; for a real treat, though, book a suite. For starters, you’ll have a full kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and granite-topped counters, sisal rugs on hardwood floors, heavenly bathrooms with huge whirlpool tubs. All rooms—suites and non-suites alike—have private balconies. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? There's complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Are there any good restaurant and bar options on site? Sure, you can grab a meal in Hamilton by hopping aboard the resort’s complimentary ferry (which makes multiple runs to town daily), but you don’t have to. In addition to Zanzibar, a casual burger bar, Newstead also has Beau Rivage , a French-inspired restaurant where award-winning chef Jean Claude Garzia whips up Provençal-style favorites and continental classics. On the breezy outdoor patio, every table has a view of the water. And the service? Did we mention that free rum swizzle upon arrival? It’s just one of many perks. There’s also a complimentary airport shuttle, plus a free round of golf at the 6,100-yard ocean-view course. What type of travelers will you find here? Golfers eager to play a free round, families who enjoy the space of the suites, and couples who can’t get enough of that harbor view. What will we find nearby, if anything? Because Newstead is located on narrow Harbour Road, there’s little nearby within safe walking distance, so you’ll need to take a taxi or hop on a scooter to get anywhere (unless, of course, you’re headed to Hamilton, in which case you can jump on that aforementioned ferry). That includes Bermuda’s beaches—the closest is about 10 minutes away. Any other hotel features worth noting? With only four private treatment rooms, the spa that’s so prevalently in this hotel’s name is sadly pretty small. Still, its massages, facials, and holistic body treatments keep locals coming back again and again—so be sure to book well in advance. Golf is the other big draw here and Belmont is a beaut. Designed in 2002 by renowned golf architect Algie M. Pulley Jr., the course features 18 challenging holes, many with water views. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Those seeking large rooms with a water view will be quite happy here, as will folks who want to spend part of their vacation on the links: The 18-hole course is among Bermuda’s best." - David LaHuta
