Bermuda wins 'Best Island' in travel mag

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17: Bermuda excelled in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards by nabbing the top spot in the Best Island in the Caribbean/Atlantic region.

It also placed five local hotels in the top 12 in the Atlantic region.

The Reefs was again voted favourite resort in the Atlantic. Other Bermuda properties among the “Top 12 Resorts in The Atlantic” were: Pink Beach Club (3rd), Rosewood Tucker’s Point (5th), Cambridge Beaches (8th), and Fairmont Southampton (10th).

Wayne Furbert, Minister of Business Development and Tourism, said in a press release: “It is a tremendous honour for Bermuda to be selected by Condé Nast Traveler’s discerning readers as the number one travel destination among all of the Atlantic and Caribbean islands.

“The magazine’s readers are known to be frequent and highly sophisticated travellers and their award shows that Bermuda indeed has so much more to offer. It is a testament to our wonderful Bermudian people and our fantastic resort partners that our island is considered so favourably.”

One reader cited Bermuda for its, “…endless activities: historical sites, golf, scooters, superb shopping and dining, museums, gardens, perfumeries and aquariums, too!” while others noted the island’s “fun blend of British, American, and Caribbean Culture,” and “pink sand beaches and aqua blue waters.”

Below are the scores and comments for the hotels:

The Reefs received a Readers’ Choice Rating of 95.1.

Conde Nast Traveler said: “There just aren’t enough accolades to go around” for this salmon limestone cabana-style resort built on the ruins of a 1680 farmhouse, on a cliff overlooking a private beach. Rooms are “small but beautiful,” with warm tropical woods and cool blues and greens. “Top-shelf staff are like family.”

• Rooms: 91.0
• Service: 96.2
• Food: 96.4
• Location: 98.1
• Design: 95.8
• Activties: 92.9

Pink Beach Club received a Readers’ Choice Rating of 92.5.

David Phelps of Virginia posted on Conde Nast’s website: “Everyone goes out of their way to provide outstanding service.”

• Rooms: 96.3
• Service: 96.3
• Food: 88.9
• Location: 92.6
• Design: 88.9
• Activities: 92.0

Rosewood Tucker’s Point received a Readers’ Choice Rating of 89.4.

Conde Nast Traveler said: “This three-year-old “little-known jewel” with cottage colony architecture has a palm-tree-lined pool and “a stunning, pristine beach.” Rooms in classic British seaside style have stone and wood finishes, marble bathrooms with double pedestal sinks, and “spectacular views” of Castle Harbour and Harrington Sound. “Staff couldn’t be more helpful, especially the doorman.”

• Rooms: 96.7
• Service: 81.3
• Food: 83.3
• Location: 92.3
• Design: 93.4
• Activities: 89.7

Cambridge Beaches received a Readers’ Choice Rating of 85.7.

One reader told Conde Nast: “This was the first time that I had been to Bermuda. I spent the entire time (8 days) at Cambridge Beaches. There didn't seem to be any reason to go or to see anywhere else.”

• Rooms: 92.7
• Service: 87.8
• Food: 75.6
• Location: 80.5
• Design: 92.7
• Activities: 84.6

Fairmont Southampton received a Readers’ Choice Award of 84.0.

One "Beautiful resort and beach. Service was good except for the beach area, where the laid back island attitude and their socializing among themselves left us taking care of our food and beverage orders. Fortunately, the other restaurants on the property were very professional. Excellent food."

• Rooms: 81.8
• Service: 86.1
• Food: 82.4
• Location: 83.6
• Design: 83.0
• Activities: 87.4