It's
Tee Time Winter in Bermuda is a golfer's
paradise.
By
Diana Mehl
The Fairmont Southampton golf course.
Mild temperatures, breathtaking views and more golf courses
per square mile than any place on earth make Bermuda the perfect
golf escape for the holidays.
Since the 19th century, this unique island oasis has been
enchanting visitors. Unequaled natural beauty – pristine
pink beaches, sparkling turquoise waters and manicured gardens
– combined with luxurious private accommodations, state-of-the-art
recreational facilities, sophisticated cuisine, a hospitable
local population and close proximity to the U.S. East Coast
continue to make Bermuda a popular destination for the affluent
traveler. Yet savvy golfers know that the best time to visit
the island is November through March during its off-season,
when the average temperatures dip to the mid 60s and the breathtaking
fairways of the island's eight golf courses are less
crowded. Each course is designed by one of the games's
most renowned course architects and is distinguished by its
own signature blend of challenging tracks and spectacular
vistas.
An aerial view of the Fairmont Southampton.
Where
to Play
Private Courses
Unlike the U.S., private clubs in Bermuda will welcome visitors
on certain days. Tee times can be arranged by a hotel concierge.
Mid Ocean Golf Club,
441.293.0330
Course architect: Charles Blair Macdonald
Layout: 18-hole, 6,520-yard par-71 Riddell's Bay Golf &
Country Club, 441.238.1060
Course architect: Devereux Emmett
Layout: 18-hole, 5,800-yard par-70 Tucker's Point Golf Club,
441.298.6970
Course architect: Robert Trent Jones
Layout: 18-hole, 6,361-yard par-70
Public Courses Belmont Hills Golf Club,
441.236.6400
Course architect: Algie M. Pulley Jr.
Layout: 18-hole, 6,017-yard par-70 Fairmont Southampton Golf Club,
441.239.6952
Course architect: Theodore Robinson
Layout: 18-hole, 2,684-yard par-54 Ocean View Golf Course,
441.295.9093
Layout: 9-hole, 2,940-yard par-35 Port Royal Golf Course,
441.234.0974
Course architect: Robert Trent Jones
Layout: 18-hole, 6,561-yard par-71 St. George's Golf Course,
441.297.8353
Course architect: Robert Trent Jones
Layout: 18-hole, 4,043-yard par-62
Golfing Events November 27 – December
1
Gosling's Invitational Golf Tournament
Belmont Hills Golf Club www.belmonthills.com December 4 – 9
Bermuda Goodwill Tournament
Various venues www.bermudagoodwill.org
>The Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
Where to Stay
Situated on the southern shore of Bermuda – on the island's
highest point – is the 100-acre Fairmont
Southampton. Long considered the island's
premier luxury resort, the 593-room hotel completed a $64-million
renovation in 2002. Each of the 593 spacious and newly decorated
guest rooms comes with a private balcony and a spectacular
view of the ocean, the harbor or the golf course. Fairmont
Gold rooms offer another dimension of service with a private
check-in desk, complimentary continental breakfast, soft drinks
and afternoon tea, and a Library Den offering laptops with
Internet access, magazines, CDs and a games area.
With ten dining options, you don't need to venture from
the hotel premises to seek culinary gratification. Start the
day with a fabulous buffet breakfast at Windows on the Sound,
an enormous light-filled restaurant off the main lobby with
glorious water views. Luncheon options include the charming
poolside Wickets and the conveniently located Golf Hut. For
dinner consider The Newport Room, one of the island's
most elegant restaurants featuring the exquisite French cuisine
of award-winning chef Michael Scott. You'll find the
best steaks in Bermuda at the 320-year-old Waterlot Inn along
with impeccable service, an award-winning wine list and a
romantic dockside setting. Located on a cliff-top overlooking
the Fairmont's magnificent beach, the Whaler Inn offers
the best in local seafood paired with spectacular scenic sunsets.
In addition to a challenging 18-hole golf course, an outdoor
pool and six tennis courts, the resort also includes the spectacular
31,000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa. Offering a full range
of treatments for both men and women at its 15 treatment rooms,
the spa also features a secluded heated indoor pool with waterfalls,
terraced gardens, two Jacuzzis overlooking the ocean and a
state-of-the-art fitness center with panoramic golf course
views.
For those seeking close proximity to the island's best
shops, galleries and restaurants, the Fairmont
Hamilton Princess – the Southampton's
sister hotel in the city of Hamilton – is an stylish
alternative. Named for Princess Louise, the daughter of Queen
Victoria who was a frequent visitor to the island, the pink-hued
hotel is celebrating its 120th anniversary and still exudes
an old-world elegance. Located on eight acres overlooking
spectacular Hamilton Harbor, the hotel offers private docking
facilities for guests arriving by yacht, an on-site putting
green and two harborside pools (saltwater and heated freshwater)
set amid luxuriant gardens featuring the island's subtropical
flora. A daily ferry to the Fairmont Southampton allows guests
to take advantage of the resort's recreational facilities.
All 410 guest rooms offer either harbor or garden views, and
the tasteful traditional décor reflects the hotel's
Victorian heritage.
Dining options here are some of the best on the island. A
highlight is the formal four-course afternoon tea –
served daily from 2:30 to 5:30 at the Heritage Court located
in the hotel's grand lobby – where the breads,
scones, pastries and sorbet are all handmade by pastry chef
Serge Leibowitch, and the 14 varieties of tea are served from
sterling-silver teapots. Offering both indoor and outdoor
dining, Harley's Restaurant is famous for its sumptuous
breakfast buffets as well as for its fine prime aged beef.
The Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
