How To Do Bermuda In One Weekend

At 5:45 PM on a summer Friday, a commute out for a Hamptons weekend is most often longer than flights to certain tropical destinations. Once the playlist you created has repeated itself three times and you suddenly realize you’re only two miles out of the Holland Tunnel, your Friday high hits an all-time low.

We’re not saying we don’t love the Hamptons, but we do think everyone could take at least one weekend this summer for a change of pace. In this case, the destination we potatoes are pushing is Bermuda, which, if you didn’t know, is a mere two-hour flight. It’s our new summer three-day weekend go-to.

Bermuda’s Fairmont Hamilton Princess just underwent a $90 million renovation, part of which includes an infinity pool (that we frequented as much as humanly possible during our stay), accommodation facelifts, and a summer pop-up restaurant from Marcus Samuelsson (a tease for the 2015 permanent restaurant opening) called Samuelsson at HP.

1609 Restaurant: The hotel’s harbor-side bar and grill takes waterside dining to the next level. When in need of rosé, hit up 1609. When in need of cocktails, hit up 1609. When in need of insanely fresh seafood, hit up 1609. We recommend it for lunch or drinks and appetizers.

Favorite Items: Grilled Local Wahoo, Spicy Tuna Roll, Roasted Bermuda Carrots, and White Sangria.

Favorite Items: Cornbread Madeleines, Seared Watermelon, Trout Roe Tostadas, Mighty Mac n’ Cheese, and Seared Catch of the Day.

Marina Lounge: An outdoor lounge situated right on the harbor, this is the spot for pre or post dinner drinks. Additionally, every Friday they do something called Marina Nights, a hotel event boasting an awesome DJ, cocktails and tapas. We’re not necessarily ones for hotel functions, but this one felt a little like a night out at Surf Lodge. Girls and guys avoiding exes in the Hamptons, this getaway could be the place for you…

Poinciana Wing: We stayed in the brand new one-bedroom suite that boasts a harbor view and outdoor sitting area. Between that and the Le Labo bath products (which we forced ourselves not to steal) we were sold.

The Takeaway: You never have to leave the hotel.

If you do choose to cease with the drinking, eating and poolside dozing, here are some hot potatoes outside the hotel…

Hidden Gems Of Bermuda Experience: Okay, so we usually don't like tours. We’re not going to sugar coat it: The experience has always been up there with Times Square visits and dentist appointments on our Least-Favorite-Things list. BUT, with this tour we have to say we are officially converts. Enter Ashley Harris, the founder of Hidden Gems and the tour guide who is possibly the cutest person we’ve met…ever. The excursion goes on for half the day and Ashley — a Bermuda-born local — takes you to places that are legitimately the opposite of tourist attractions. We cliff-dove, swam in salty pools in the deepest Bermuda caves and snorkeled on a beautiful beach where not another person could be found. We became adventure-loving converts, and especially if you’re an outdoorsy person, it’s seriously a must.

Black Horse Tavern: This is a local, quintessential Bermuda restaurant that’s been around since 1947.

Favorite Items: Wahoo Nuggets, Hoppin’ John, Johnny Cakes with Bermuda Fish Chowder and Ginger Beer.

Fairmont Southampton: This is a perfect stay for those who want a beach rather than a harbor, as well as a hotel that feels a bit more like a full-scale resort (though we loved the low key charm of Fairmont Hamilton Princess). What we loved most about this hotel was the lounge-like bar, The Dock, and Waterlot Inn, a legendary residence-turned-restaurant (around since 1847) that is Bermuda’s quintessential steakhouse. Both are nestled along a millpond; you should plan to have drinks at The Dock, followed at dinner at Waterlot for a truly special sunset-filled evening (an easy ferry leaves from Hamilton Princess and docks directly outside the bar and restaurant).

Till next time Bermuda,

Your forever-pale potatoes

(AKA, Laura Kosann)