A DARLING GUIDE TO BERMUDA

If there’s one place I’ve been that really represents the word “darling” it’s Bermuda. The entire island is so incredibly charming with sky high palm trees, pastel-colored buildings and the bluest water you’ll ever see… there’s even pink sand! The island is a perfect spot for a girls trips or long weekend jaunt with your significant other. If you do book a ticket to “the rock” here’s a guide to help you get the most out of your trip!

Bermuda is a tiny island (22 miles long) and contrary to popular belief, it isn’t actually part of the Caribbean.  It’s situated in the Atlantic off the coast of North Carolina; it’s closer to NC’s shores than any island in the Caribbean! Because of it’s location it isn’t super hot all year long and the best times to go are in the spring through the summer. The Bermudian dollar is one to one with the US dollar and both currencies are accepted. Another thing to keep in mind is that Bermuda isn’t exactly a budget destination. While you can find good deals on flights, and relatively good deals on hotels, food and drinks are pretty pricy- even if you go off your hotel’s property. Keep this is mind if you’re on a budget and look up restaurants and menus ahead of time to map out the best options for you.

Bermuda seems to be a travel hot spot right now. I’ve been reading about it more in the news and so many people I know have been going there for weekend trips. If you’re a boat fan Bermuda is right up your alley- The 35th America’s Cup sailing race took place in May and the Superyacht Regatta which showcases some of the world’s most impressive boats took place in June. But aside from boats, another reason the island has been in the news is a slew of new hotels and hotel renovations. A major one is the pretty-in-pink Hamilton Princess which underwent a $100 million renovation and got a brand new restaurant from celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson.

Many airlines are flying direct to Bermuda, and it’s a super easy flight! The trip from New York City on JetBlue was under two hours! Once you’re on the island, it’s important to know that rental cars are illegal. Up until recently your only options for getting around the island were taxis or renting a scooter, but thanks to Current Vehicles that’s no longer the case. Current Vehicles brought the Twizy to Bermuda- a small electric car with four wheels, a steering wheel in the center and two seats right behind each other. It’s pretty small which is perfect for navigating the island’s narrow, winding roads. I highly recommend renting one if you’re looking to explore the island.

 

I stayed at the previously mentioned Hamilton Princess hotel which is right in the main downtown area of Hamilton. It just underwent a huge renovation and has cute shops, interesting artwork and a stunning infinity pool on site. I loved the pink exterior and gorgeous grounds, but I’m hesitant to recommend it for a few reasons. We had pretty awful service throughout our stay in every area (restaurants, front desk, doormen, etc), the food was outrageously priced for very small portions and the beach is not located on property. The last point would be fine if you knew to expect this ahead of time, but the hotel’s beach shuttle (which runs on a schedule) was consistently very late. I’d say if you’re doing a girls trip and plan to stay at the hotel pool and in Hamilton this is a good option, but if my boyfriend and I head back to Bermuda we’ll likely stay elsewhere (unless we scored a great deal at the Princess).

I’ve heard great things about the pricey Fairmont Southhampton and a lot of tourists I met on the island were using Homeaway, VRBO and Air B and B.

Of course if you’re in Bermuda you need to hit the beaches! I’ve traveled pretty extensively, especially in tropical destinations, and I was truly blown away by Bermuda’s natural beauty and its beaches.

My absolute favorite beach on Bermuda is Tobacco Bay, located on the eastern end of the island in St. George. Tobacco Bay is a pretty small beach, but the water is so crystal clear- perfect for snorkeling and watching the colorful fish swim by. There’s also a little beach bar there that serves up an excellent frozen dark n stormy!

Jobson’s Cove to Horseshoe Bay Beach Walk

Bermuda is filled with cliffs looking out over sea vistas and coves along the sandy beaches. One of my favorite things we did was take a cab to Jobson’s Cove and walk along the shore hitting a bunch of coves and little private beaches, ending at the very popular (and packed) Horseshoe Bay. Horseshoe Bay is a great beach to go to if you want to see the pink sand Bermuda is famous for!

St. George is on the far east side of Bermuda (you can see town in the same day you visit Tobaccco Bay!) St. George is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filled with history. It’s the town Bermuda’s founders first landed on in the 1600’s and was the island’s capital until 1815. The streets are very narrow (made for horses!) but you can walk along them and admire the brightly colored colonial buildings.

I love being out on the water and one morning we started our day with a sail around the island with Sail Bermuda. I absolutely loved it! Sail Bermuda custom designs sailing trips to meet each customer’s needs and you can work with them to do a snorkeling trip, sunset cruise, or just a relaxing trip through the pretty lake region.

1609– Located at the Hamilton Princess hotel, 1609 is a nice spot for waterfront dining overlooking the harbor.

The Swizzle Inn– The Swizzle Inn is a super popular spot on the island for dark n stormy’s and pub food.

Wahoo’s– Wahoo’s is a fun, casual spot with a great deck in St. George. Highly recommend making a stop here after your visit to Tobacco Bay!

Have you been to Bermuda? What are your island recommendations?