BLISSFUL IN BERMUDAAn experience my mind and body will never forgetby Madelyn Miller
Next I ask everyone I know for recommendations. And of course I check the Internet before I leave. Bermuda was no exception. I had carefully planned excursions and probably had enough background material to lead tours of the island. So what did I do?
And my body never wanted to leave the spa again. So if you want to hear about the history, sights, adventures and scenic views, you will have to buy a guidebook yourself. Because all I can tell you about is the spa. One treatment and I was hooked. JET LAG MASSAGE; Using a peppermint aromatic oil, my nurturing therapist massaged me until I was relaxed and almost tension free. It was hard to believe this treatment was only 25 minutes ($45) because even though I had traveled through three time zones, I felt rejuvenated. It was a great antidote to jet lag. Try this treatment if you are suffering any symptoms of air travel fatigue. As soon as my treatment was over, I leisurely meandered over to the spa reception area and signed up for a treatment for almost every spare moment. After all, I know how to have a good time. The next morning I had a SPA REVITALIZING TREATMENT. This indulgent treatment combines a massage and facial. Using lemon essential oil, which refreshes and uplifts, the back, shoulders, face, hands and feet are massaged. Also included are a facial cleanse, gentle peel, masque and moisturizer as well as hand and foot mitt hydration. ($95 for 80 minutes) Then I got more adventurous. I signed up for The Alternative Treatment. It is a combination of massage and holistic therapy. Reflexology is followed by subtle aromatherapy using flower absolutes, during which the therapist channels Reiki energy to balance chakras and promote healing. A typical reaction to this soothing and restful treatment is a sense of inner calm and peace. Afterwards, I relaxed is the spa lounge with a cup of herbal tea. Even the tea had an English influence, there were flavor blends I had never seen before. I loved the Banana cinnamon tea and the apple mango tea. The last day was the best. My all-time favorite treatment is reflexology. So I was really looking forward to it. Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet which correspond to every part of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes the treatment stimulates the body's own natural healing systems to overcome a wide variety of health problems. The treatment ends with a relaxing footbath, exfoliating scrub and foot paraffin treatment. But the amazing thing about this treatment is that skilled practitioners can actually diagnosis problems in the body. Although she had known me less than an hour, and we had hardly spoken, my therapist asked if there was something wrong with my brain. To me, that would normally be a risky thing to ask someone. But I had fallen on my head the month before in Greece and had a concussion. I was amazed that she picked that up. The Spa at the Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda offers several interesting packages. They have a morning of beauty called "Golf Widows Delight." So while he's toiling around local golf courses, breaking records or clubs, the spouse can relax and enjoy the soothing and pampering treatments and lunch in the Boat Bay Club. ($193) But my spouse loved the spa as much as I did. He had an Indian Head Massage. Head massage has been practiced in India for over a thousand years and has many therapeutic benefits, It stimulates and improves scalp circulation, relaxes the scalp and helps relieve headaches and eye strain. The overall result was a feeling of peace and tranquility. ($45) I almost wish we had tried the MASSAGE A DEUX. This is a massage duet in which a therapist demonstrates to you and your partner how to give a basic massage. You each receive a full back massage and leave with an instruction leaflet. But I decided the therapists were so wonderful that I would leave my body in their capable hands.($70) On the morning before we left, I tried a new treatment that included Twina, Shiatsu and accupressure. Wendy, my highly recommended therapist used a special oil called Oriental Wisdom that is made from Chinese herbs. I didn't feel any smarter when it was over, but I did feel better. In all my travels, having my body rubbed all over the world, I have never had an opportunity to experience this treatment. The Spa at Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda is operated by BerSalon. It combines European treatments with the fitness emphasis of North America. All of my therapists had charming British accents and they explained to me that to be licensed in Britain you need almost as much training as a nurse. It has been recognized as one of the top ten spas in the world by numerous publications. And they can have my vote, too. Okay, so I left the spa occasionally. One morning I swam in the indoor pool before the spa opened. My only disappointment on the trip was that the spa did not open until 9 am. Nobody's perfect. Best time to go to Bermuda? I think the off season. Thanks to El Nino or La Nina (I'm not sure who gets credit for the glorious weather when we were there in December) we enjoyed temperatures in the mid-70's and had no problems getting reservations in even the best restaurants or at the spa. RESTAURANTS Bermuda deserves its reputation for excellent food.
Waterlot was our most memorable meal.. Located in a dockside cottage that was established in 1670, this charming restaurant was our most expensive meal and worth every penny. The food is Mediterranean and the impressive menu and wine list makes it one of Bermuda's special restaurants. Be sure to make reservations and ask for a table by the window. It was busy even in the off-season.(238-2555)
Another fun casual bistro-style restaurant is the Beach Boat Club at the Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda. They have the best Bermuda fish chowder in town. Coincidentally, Stephan Juliusburger, the chef, is famous for his fish chowder, earning two stars from the New York Times with it when he was 20. But when he joined Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda as their executive chef, he stuck with their original recipe instead because it was so popular. No wonder Juliusburger is a wizard with fish. He lives on a sailboat and sails on his day off. What a lifestyle! Almost as good as living in a spa. Who lives in Bermuda? Some famous faces you might see are Ross Perot, David Bowie and his wife Iman. Many other famous people appreciate the low key, relaxed atmosphere in Bermuda while enjoying the sophisticated dining.
If you want to eat right on the beach, try Café Lido Restaurant in the Elbow Beach Hotel.
And although the meals are VERY expensive (everyone keeps reminding you that it is an island and they have to fly all the food in) the hotels have good off-season packages. Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda has an Islandfest package that starts at $130 per night and gives you a fourth night free.
I am not the only one that loves Bermuda. Tony Curtis has visited the spa and hotel. Recently, the band Chicago stayed at The Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda. Michael Douglas is an owner of the Ariel Sands Hotel. And the ultimate compliment to the spa is that I did not buy one thing in Bermuda. No souvenirs, no postcards, no presents for the family. I was simply too busy. SONESTA BEACH RESORT BERMUDA Southampton, Bermuda Spa Information courtesy of The Bermuda Department of Tourism and Sonesta Resorts -Updated 1-4-99- UPDATE: The property was devastated by hurricanes and is being renovated by Wyndham |
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TM
Whenever I plan a trip, the research journalist in me takes over. I obsessively get every guidebook I can get my hands on, and then compulsively cross-reference and check them. 
Spent five blissful days in the spa at The Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda. I was weary when we arrived from airport delays and when I looked over the activity guides in the room, I noticed they had a jet lag massage. Sounded like a good idea to me. It was
Henry VIII has been voted the best restaurant by tourists several years in a row. But I think the chef must have been off that night. Some things were wonderful, like the beef satay appetizer made with tender prime beef. But our waiter seemed surprised when we asked for the palate cleanser sorbet that was listed on the menu as part the 5-course $42 dinner. Didn't he read the menu? He said he would bring it with dessert. And actually he never really even brought us the menu. He merely handed us a card with the prix-fixed choices. But that is the best choice and value. Maybe we would have enjoyed the dinner more if our waiter had been off that evening. (238-1977)
When we went into the city of Hamilton, we had a wonderful lunch at Monte Carlo. (295-5453) Right in the center of town, it has an upscale bistro feel to it. Order the pumpkin ravioli
I had lunch at the Beach Boat Club twice and ordered the Bermuda fish chowder both times. Another dish that I will remember is the pan roasted Salmon in a thai crust served over soba noodles and vegetables with a mild coconut-curry sauce. The menu indicates the "apple a day" healthy items with an apple and more than half of them are good choices. I thought the Swedish pancakes with pink peppercorn ice cream were a good choice. But they did not have an apple indicator on the menu.
Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine al fresco right at the beach level. The warm ocean breezes and gentle waves compliment the food. Its not surprising that seafood is a specialty. (297-1270)
The Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda is the only major resort on the island that is nestled directly on the beach, in fact it has 3 different beaches on the property's private 25-acre peninsula. And most of the rooms have private balconies and picturesque water views perfect for beach lovers.