Bermuda is a decidedly proper island when compared to its closest neighbors in the Caribbean. Here, afternoon tea is a daily ritual and jackets are often required for dinner. Nowhere is this chic elegance more emphasized than at Cambridge Beaches Resort, a 30-acre retreat located on the island’s westernmost edge.
This 86-key resort’s sophistication is palpable from the moment you arrive in the reception area, which is comprised of a handful of tastefully furnished connecting rooms that range in decor from old English library (massive gilt-edged books and antique globes), to country manor (vaulted wood-beam post ceilings and comfy wingback chairs), to trendy lounge (a collection of ornate mirrors and funky pink accents). This mishmash of styles continues throughout, whether in the classic Bermudian bar, the pretty salmon-colored formal dining room, the perfectly manicured cricket lawn, the decadent spa and indoor pool complex, or the crisp and colorful rooms.
Like many resorts on the island, Cambridge Beaches has a fascinating history, dating back to the 1600s when a former sea captain and one-time island governor placed this coveted parcel of land along Mangrove Bay for sale. Today, the resort, though modern and even somewhat trendy, has lovingly maintained the former owner’s residence, converting it into one of its most expensive guest units, the two-bedroom Pegem Cottage, which features its own private gardens and traditional Bermudian decor. Most of the remaining units are significantly smaller (and several of them do not have the same stunning ocean views), however, all have marble bathrooms and colorful interiors.
Elegance, charm, and heritage, of course, come at a price, and Cambridge Beaches certainly has a high one. In fact, the resort rivals the newer Rosewood Tucker’s Point for the most expensive rates on the island. Nonetheless, four private beaches, three restaurants, two pools, an on-site marina, and a neighboring nature preserve work hard to justify the wallet-slimming cost. The recently completed main pool is especially alluring with its waterfalls, multi-level decks, sexy slender palm trees, and beachfront location; as is the tranquil 10,000-square-foot Ocean Spa, which features a Roman-style solarium and holistic treatment menu.
If anything, the resort-wide level of relaxation is almost a bit too much, and you might just feel compelled to whisper when you open your mouth. (During breakfast, for instance, the Tamarisk restaurant was full, and yet you could have heard a pin drop). Those looking for something less prim and more energetic might think twice about this isolated and (mostly) kid-free option.
