Luxury in Bermuda at The Fairmont Southampton

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Bermuda — known for its pink sand beaches, sparkling cerulean waters and knee length shorts … oh and let’s not forget the infamous Bermuda triangle (dun, dun dun!) — is a group of islands located 640 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, NC.

Though technically part of the Caribbean, Bermuda’s position in the mid-Atlantic, along with its subtropical climate, make it the perfect getaway for east coast families almost any time of year — Did you know that flights are less than 2 hours from both Boston and NYC, and only 2 1/2 hours from Atlanta!?

I recently traveled to Bermuda, as an invited guest of the Bermuda Department of Tourism, to discover what makes the destination so awesome. What I thought would be just a beach trip, turned out to be so much more. And it all started with my stay at the luxurious Fairmont Southampton hotel.

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The Location

When it comes to location in Bermuda, The Fairmont Southampton is hard to compete with. Located in Southampton, approximately 35 minutes from L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA),  the hotel sits atop a hill overlooking the Atlantic. The resort property covers a massive 100 acres of lush landscape making it a true vacation destination with all of the amenities you could want or need.

Activities

The Fairmont Southampton features a beach club with a private beach (complimentary towels and chaise lounges!), an 18-hole Par-3 golf course, six beach front tennis courts, multiple pools, a spa and fitness center, kids’ club with daily children’s programs, and an on-site PADI certified dive shop with rentals for snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking.

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What really made the location stand out for me was the close proximity to Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda’s most famous pink sand beach. Even with a private beach for Fairmont resort guests, Horseshoe bay is literally footsteps away and it’s not to be missed! A complimentary trolley takes guests from the hotel down to the beach.

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For guests who wish to visit the city of Hamilton, a complimentary ferry runs from The Fairmont Southampton through the harbor to The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, its sister property. The ferries run on a schedule throughout the day and take approx. 25 minutes each way.

Dining

While I didn’t dine at any of the restaurants at The Fairmont Southampton (I noshed a little bit too much in the Gold lounge; see below), there are plethora of options on-site, from casual eats poolside at Wickets to fresh local seafood surfside at the Ocean Club.

Fairmont Gold

The Fairmont Southampton is one of Fairmont’s signature properties that feature Fairmont Goldan “exclusive lifestyle hotel experience, designed to fulfill the needs of the discerning business executive and leisure traveler”.

Basically, Fairmont Gold is concierge level accommodations with private check in and a lounge with complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon tea, early evening canapés and after-dinner snacks. Fairmont Gold is an absolutely fabulous upgrade for any stay at Fairmont Southampton, and I utilized the amenities from the moment I checked in. If you can swing it, go for the Gold!

My two favorite times of the day in the Gold lounge were at breakfast and afternoon tea. The healthy continental breakfast includes all of the typical offerings — cereals, muffins, fruit and bagels — along with two hot dishes, which rotate daily. It’s quite a spread and a great way to start mornings in Bermuda.

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Afternoon tea is served at 3:00 p.m. in the lounge for Gold level guests and includes hot tea, fresh made scones with butter, cream and/or local Gombey Pepper Jam (delicious!), and an assortment of tea cakes. Afternoon tea is just one of the British traditions that Bermuda continues to honor.

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Tip: If you’re traveling with your family, seriously consider upgrading to Fairmont Gold. The lounge is open to children, so families can enjoy breakfast every morning as well as quick bites throughout the day. Meals in Bermuda are on the pricier side, so having the convenience of the Gold lounge may be worth the additional cost … especially after you factor in breakfast, afternoon tea, snacks and bottles of water during your visit.

The Rooms

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I was pleasantly surprised at how spacious the rooms were at the Fairmont Southampton, and as an unexpected bonus, each room has a balcony with either a view of the Atlantic, the Great Sound or the resort’s golf course. The decor is described as “British colonial with a splash of the tropics” and I couldn’t agree more. My king bed was super comfy and I loved waking up to a view of Gibb’s Lighthouse.

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My bathroom was also very spacious with a separate dressing area decked with marble counter tops and apothecary jars filled with cotton balls and q-tips. 

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And because I love great bath amenities, I was really excited about the selection of toiletries from Le Labo in Rose 31 — you can leave your travel-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner at home!

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My Mama Moment

I experienced my Mama Moment at the Waterlot Inn, where I had my first Dark and Stormy — Bermuda’s signature cocktail made with Gosling’s rum and ginger beer. The sun was setting and live music was playing. I toasted to the new friends I had just met and let Bermuda soak in.  If Bermuda isn’t paradise, I don’t know what is!

Conclusion

The Fairmont Southampton is the perfect hotel in Bermuda for families, couples and girlfriend getaways. There’s an abundance of activities right on property and the staff at the Fairmont couldn’t be nicer. Other than taking the complimentary ferry to downtown Hamilton, you could realistically spend your whole vacation on-site.

All things considered, The Fairmont Southampton was a great introduction to both the beautiful country of Bermuda and the Fairmont brand of resorts. I can’t wait to return with my family!

Special thanks to Bermuda Tourism and The Fairmont Southampton for hosting my visit and stay in Bermuda. All opinions are my own.

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