The best hotels in Bermuda

Overlooking its own private patch of pink sandy beach and infinity pool, the suitably pink-painted Reefs Resort is in a handy spot for the beautiful beaches of the South Shore. All of its 62 pastel-coloured rooms have balconies or patios with Atlantic vistas from their lofty clifftop vantage point, and there’s a spa with soothing sea views. You’ve got four restaurants to choose from, including exceptionally good Sunday brunch at Ocean Echo and the romantic, toes-in-the-sand casual dining at Coconuts right on the beach.

In a change from Bermuda’s more traditional luxury hotels, the Loren – one of the island’s newest – is a study in polished, contemporary design. All of its 45 neutral-toned, understated rooms have terraces with ocean views, and they’re only a stone’s throw from the soft sands of the aptly named Pink Beach as well as the outdoor pool. Try the refined European-influenced dining at Marée or the relaxed Pink Beach Club – both of which have sublime views of the Atlantic.

Lording it over Hamilton harbour since 1885, the Hamilton Princess – nicknamed the Pink Palace – is the grande dame of Bermuda’s hotels. But behind its Victorian façade is a smart, modern hotel with chic, airy rooms. Many of its 170 rooms have balconies with ocean views and private balconies. Soak up harbour views from the hotel’s two outdoor pools, or try out the watersports on offer at the marina. A free shuttle takes you to the hotel’s private beach club at Sinky Bay, where you can hire kayaks, paddleboards or private cabanas.

One of the area’s most unique hotels, Watercolours is privately and lovingly managed by a couple who love to share their knowledge of the locale with visitors. The hotel itself is a treasure trove of individually-decorated rooms, all of which have great views of the Bermudian sunsets each evening. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous painted furniture which appears throughout the building.

A short drive from the airport across the causeway takes you to family-friendly, all-inclusive Grotto Bay, which covers 21 flower-filled acres and includes three private beaches and a children’s club. The style is firmly Bermudian: its 201 rooms are set in brightly coloured cottages with trademark white rooftops, and most have ocean views from their balconies. What makes Grotto Bay stand out are the two caves that came with the property: one used for swimming and the other transformed into a stunning subterranean spa.

Two 19th-century manor houses combine to form the cosy, family-run Royal Palms in the leafy streets above Hamilton harbour. Its 31 rooms are delightfully old-fashioned, with antique-style furniture and lots of chintz. If you’re not in a room with its own balcony or terrace, then flop in the luxuriant gardens surrounding the pool. Don’t miss out on the free wine hour every day in the late afternoon, or a meal at the hotel’s popular Acorn Restaurant, which has a more casual off-shoot in an enclosed patio.

There’s a certain timeless feeling to this collection of 17th-century cottages covering 30 acres of a peninsula in Bermuda’s western side. Part of Cambridge Beaches Resort’s tranquillity comes from the fact that children under 13 aren’t allowed, leaving adults (and the occasional bored teenager) to wallow in the resort’s lush tropical gardens, infinity pool, four private beaches and nature reserve. The decor in the 87 pink cottages is a pleasing mix of traditional and modern, and you’ll get some of the best sunsets on the island.