Live Exquisite at the St. Regis Bermuda

Earlier this month I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the beautiful island of Bermuda! It was my first time in Bermuda and it certainly won’t be my last.

I stayed at the exquisite St. Regis Bermuda Resort located in St. George’s which is just a short drive away from the airport. In true St. Regis tradition the hotel staff are warm, welcoming and treat every guest like family. The service at this resort was impeccable which made the breathtaking ocean views that much sweater.

The Rooms

The St. Regis Bermuda offers many different room types ranging from limited ocean views, partial ocean views and ocean front rooms and suites. I had the privilege of staying in a beautiful ocean view king room with sweeping vistas of the Atlantic ocean, the hotel pool and the historic Fort St. Catherine’s.

One thing I loved about my room was the bathroom. If you’ve been following me for a while you know that I’m pretty picky when it comes to hotel rooms and bathrooms and this one did not disappoint. The bathroom was huge with double sinks, a rain shower, a large soaker tub and generous closet space!

I loved listening to the sound of the ocean as I was falling asleep at night and waking up to a gorgeous sea view in the morning.

Dining

The hotel offers many different dining options from Lina Restaurant for breakfast and lunch, BLT Steak NY for dinner and the St. Regis Bar which opens at 4pm every day. I especially enjoyed the creative cocktails at the bar and the beautiful views from Lina at breakfast.

In addition to these dining options guests at the St. Regis are treated to a Champagne sabouring ceremony every evening as the staff celebrate the transition from day to night. I had the opportunity to experience this during my stay and it was a lovely way to kick off the evening. Guests are invited to the terrace where they are told the history of the St. Regis brand and how the sabrage came to be part of the St. Regis experience. It is said that the art of sabrage was popularized by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte who allegedly used his sword to open bottles of champagne and is quoted as famously saying “Always carry champagne! In victory you deserve it & in defeat you need it!”

Alexandra Mosher Collection

During my time at the St. Regis I was invited to attend a beautiful afternoon tea celebrating international women’s day and the launch of Bermudian jewellery designer Alexandra Mosher’s newest collection inspired by the St. Regis. This was Alexandra’s second collection in collaboration with the St. Regis Bermuda and was an homage to Caroline Astor; the mother of John Jacob Astor IV the founder fo the St. Regis brand.

The collection features jewellery that will take you from day to night. For example for  breakfast you can wear a delicate pair of studs and add on an intricate pendant for an afternoon by the pool. For evening sabrage add a beautiful bracelet and accent piece to your pendant. The studs also convert to hanging earrings for dancing the night away at the St. Regis bar. This is such a versatile collection influenced by the victorian era.

I truly enjoyed the afternoon tea as I got to meet Alexandra along with so many other lovely ladies. One of my favourite things about Bermuda is the people, they made me feel so welcome and at ease.

Excursions

Walk through St. George’s

 

The resort is located in the picturesque city of St. George’s. Everywhere you look is just so beautiful! The city centre is just a short walk from the hotel and features quaint shops, the town hall and many restaurants and dining options. I took a small trip into St. George’s and enjoyed walking through the city.

Crystal and Fantasy Caves

One of the hidden treasure of Bermuda and a must-do in St. George’s is a visit to the fantasy and crystal caves. You can take a short taxi ride from the hotel and purchase tour tickets to cover both caves. These caves are stunning and they truly are a natural wonder.

Lili Bermuda

I love perfume so a stop at Lili Bermuda was a must for me. This adorable perfumery is run by master perfumer Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone who is also Canada’s Honorary Consul in Bermuda and so the property doubles as the Canadian Consulate. Isabelle was gracious enough to give me a tour of her perfumery and I was pleased to learn they also offer classes where you can make your own scent. I enjoyed a walk through the charming gardens at Lili Bermuda and I was thrilled to hear they frequently host tea parties onsite as well. It’s such a lovely spot for a girl’s day out or even a bridal shower.

Day trip to Hamilton

Hamilton is the capital of Bermuda and is located about 40 mins away from the hotel. A trip into town is a must when you’re staying at the St. Regis. Hamilton was so lively and colourful. I enjoyed walking through Queen Elizabeth Park and stopping by the Bermuda sign for a mandatory photo! When you go into Hamilton be sure to stop in at Flying Colours for some souvenirs and the English Sports Shop to pick up a pair of Bermuda shorts. I picked up a pair for my husband and there were so many colours and designs to choose from. Pro-tip: gentlemen make sure you size up and go up 2 sizes from your pants size as the shorts do fit a bit snug.

I also popped in at Alexandra Mosher’s flagship store in Hamilton and it was a pretty pink dreamland! If you know me you know that pink is my favourite colour so I was literally in heaven in this store. Be sure to check out her pink sand pieces and other jewellery inspired by the textures of Bermuda.

I truly enjoyed my time in Bermuda and I can’t wait to visit again. A huge thank you to the St. Regis Bermuda for hosting me and inviting me to be a part of such a lovely weekend!

 

The Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach

I’m back with another fun hotel review that I’m excited to share with you! Last month I visited Miami, Florida and stayed at the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach. This was my second collaboration with Sonesta Hotels, if you recall I visited the beautiful Yorkville Royal Sonesta last year.

The Hotel

The Nautilus hotel is conveniently located on Collins Ave, a trendy street in Miami Beach. It’s close to restaurants, shopping and night life. The hotel has a wonderful vintage tropical vibe to it. As you walk into the lobby you’ll notice lush greenery, wicker furniture and lots of tropical prints. I love anything tropical so I immediately loved the aesthetic of this lobby.

At the end of the lobby is the elegant bar which seamlessly pairs vintage charm with trendy libations. The gold flamingos in the the centre of the bar really give the place a tropical vintage vibe. I really liked the colour scheme in this area too. They also offer a daily happy hour from 5-7pm, I’d highly recommend checking this out.

The Nautilus also boasts a vibrant collection of Art by notable artists like Any Warhol. The hotel regularly hosts an event called Whiskey, Wine and Warhol featuring a live jazz band paying tribute to the Gatsby Era of sound and lots of creative cocktails. Admission to the event is free and guest get to experience the hotel’s exclusive art collection.

The Rooms

The Nautilus is housed in a historic building on Collins avenue and has undergone an extensive renovation. The rooms offer views of the ocean or city but are a little on the smaller side. Our room had generous space in the sleeping and lounging area but the bathroom was a little small for my liking. I would recommend booking a junior suite or suite at this hotel, as they look lovely and spacious. Oceanfront balcony rooms sell out fast so it’s best to book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dining + Beach Access

The hotel offers ample choices for dining, there is a coffee shop located in the lobby, the lobby bar and the Nautilus Cabana Club which offers indoor and outdoor seating. We liked having breakfast outside each morning. The seating area was lovely with views of the pool, lawn and lots of tropical chic decor. Since the weather in Miami is hot I opted for an iced coffee each morning to start the day off.

One thing we loved about this hotel is the direct access to the beach. You can take the hotel’s famous walkway right down to the beach. Hotel guests have access to loungers and towels. You can also order drinks at the beach. If the ocean is not your thing the hotel also offers an outdoor pool with loungers and cabanas. You can rent a cabana for the day for approx. $250. This is a great option for groups, families and couples. I love being near the water so I enjoyed spending the day in the cabana and working by the pool. There’s also amazing music to listen to while you relax.

If you’re looking for a hotel that mixes retro style with modern luxury and is centrally located then the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach is the hotel for you! There’s so much to see at the hotel and surrounding areas you will certainly enjoy your stay at this hotel. Thank you to the staff at the Nautilus Miami for hosting us.