The Reefs - one of Bermuda's Best Hotels

Employee of the Year

2009-11-04T13:26:00.005-04:00

We are proud to announce our Employee of the Year

Vivien Bulford

Here she is pictured with Ben Tutt and Perry Robinson

Vivien was selected as the winner out of all the front- and back-of-the-house Employees of the Month for the year.

One of our hard-working staff members who you usually don't see, Vivien is the leader in the Laundry department and takes much pride in her work. Having been at The Reefs since 1987, Vivien has previously won the VIP Back-of-the-house award in 2005. Her positive attitude makes everyone smile.

As The Reefs Employee of the Year, Vivien has won $1,000, two relaxing nights nights in one of our newest residences at The Reefs Club and spa treatments!

Please join us in congratulating Vivien. Thank you for all your hard work.

Bermuda's Best Hotel!

2009-10-16T10:55:00.002-03:00

Condé Nast Traveler just announced the results of its 22nd annual Readers' Choice Awards ranking the best cities, cruise lines, airlines, hotels and resorts worldwide.

This year, more than 25,000 travel enthusiasts submitted their votes on more than 10,000 properties and the results are in:

The Reefs was ranked the #1 Resort in the Atlantic!

And in addition to that, Bermuda was ranked the #1 Island in the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean for the third year in a row!

So, when you stay at The Reefs, you will know why travelers worldwide think so highly of The Reefs and beautiful Bermuda.

La Serena Spa Tour

2009-09-17T16:06:00.003-03:00

Enjoy a tour of the luxurious new spa, La Serena. We look forward welcoming you and making you feel perfectly at ease. Visit the spa page for a complete treatment menu and book today!

Good News after Hurricane Bill

2009-08-24T13:48:00.003-03:00

Thanks for all your calls and emails over the weekend wishing us the best as Hurricane Bill churned toward Bermuda. It is heart-warming to know we have so many dear friends.

Hurricane Bill was a Category 2 storm as it passed some 170 miles to the west of Bermuda on Saturday morning. We received gale force winds, plenty of rain and waves as high as 25 feet at times.

The Reefs received minimal damage as a result of the storm, as these photos taken on Sunday afternoon can attest. The waves did take out some of the railings and flooring at Coconuts on the Beach. Consequently, Coconuts is currently closed for repairs and expected to reopen tomorrow.

As typical during storms, Mother Nature did take away some of our beach. Here in Bermuda we have learned that Mother Nature removes our pink sand to give it a good cleaning and will replenish the beach soon. The extra seaweed left from the storm will soon be raked and removed by our beach crew.

While Hurricane Bill had the potential to be a dangerous storm, we are very pleased to report that we are doing well at The Reefs and should be back to normal when Coconuts reopens tomorrow.

Thanks again for all your support!

Ocean Echo & The Reefs Club - Umbrellas are up on the beach and at The Reefs Club's infinity pool. Sunny and normal.

The Infinity Pool at The Reefs - This is one of the favourite views at The Reefs.

The Infinity Pool at The Reefs Club - Looks as though this will be one of the favourite views at The Reefs Club as well.

Bermuda's a "Best," Too!

2009-07-20T14:33:00.002-03:00

In addition to The Reefs being the only Bermuda property to be named in the 2009 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards, Bermuda was ranked the #2 island in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas!

Our tiny island consistenly ranks among the top, as Bermuda was ranked #2 in 2008, too.

To view the entire list of top islands click here.

A Travel + Leisure World's Best!

2009-07-17T14:05:00.003-03:00

The Reefs was just named one of the top 25 Best Hotels in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas in Travel+Leisure’s 2009 World’s Best Awards and was the only Bermuda hotel to make the list!

This is the 14th annual poll where T+L readers have named their favorite hotels, spas, airlines, cruise lines, outfitters, cities and islands.

You can view the full list by clicking here.

We thank you for enjoying The Reefs and our wonderful staff who continue to make sure you feel perfectly at ease. If you have any staff members to thank, post a comment here!

Chef Philippe Joins The Reefs

2009-06-29T12:49:00.003-03:00

Philippe Haddad, most recently of Atlanta’s Country Club of the South, will lead the culinary team at The Reefs as Executive Chef, infusing the dining options with international flair.

Originally from Belgium, Haddad has garnered a following from food & wine events across the U.S. His extensive background includes stints at St. James Club Resort Antigua, L’Escoffier Restaurant of The Beverly Hilton Hotel, the Abbey Restaurant in Atlanta, and his own namesake, Philippe’s Bistro, also of Atlanta.

Haddad began his culinary journey in his native Belgium where he trained with Master Chef Eddie Van Maele. He then cooked in various restaurants in Belgium, France and England before moving to the United States in 1983. Since that time he has worked with restaurants from coast to coast.

Please join us in welcoming Chef Philippe to The Reefs. We hope your taste buds will be tantalized beyond your expectations when dining at The Reefs with Chef Philippe's new creations.

Bon Appetit!

The Story of the Sandcastle

2009-05-19T17:31:00.005-03:00

The Bogus family of Williamsburg, Va recently stayed at The Reefs and built an impressively large sandcastle on the beach just beneath Coconuts Restaurant. For 20 years it has been their family tradition to build a sandcastle on each beach vacation.

It was the family’s first ever visit to Bermuda. They had such a wonderful time they are already planning a return visit to The Reefs in October. History buffs, the Bogus’s enjoyed learning more about Bermuda’s 400th Anniversary and the linkages between the island and their home in the Historic Triangle of Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.

You can see Don’s sandcastle in the making in this video. Impressive, isn't it? Share your thoughts!

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Say Cheese!

2009-05-14T16:22:00.008-03:00

Jamison (Jamie) Munno, the snorkel-pro you see pictured below, recently visited The Reefs with her parents and younger brother, her grandparents and her Aunt Becky Osborne. A true multi-generational family vacation!

Becky, a teacher from New York, wanted to vacation at The Reefs during her spring break and her family decided to join her. The entire Osborne family has vacationed at The Reefs 5 times as a group and a handful of times separately.

This was Jamie's second visit to The Reefs and her younger 3-year-old brother Zach's first visit. Jamie and Zach loved waking up every morning and going down to the beach and running around and playing in the ocean!

Ostrich and Alligator at The Reefs?

2009-05-12T16:05:00.000-03:00

A recent wine tasting dinner at The Reefs on May 1st featured some rather exotic menu items including ostrich and alligator!

Matt Lane, the Penfolds director of wine education was in Bermuda to promote the Penfolds Grange winery in Australia.

The menu was organized after the winemakers were on island for the event. That just shows that the chefs at The Reefs sure are ready to prepare an unusual menu with their very innovative ideas!

Read more about the wine tasting in the Royal Gazette article.

Would you be daring enough to try either ostrich or alligator if it was on the menu at The Reefs? What are some other exotic foods you've had while on vacation? Let us know by posting a comment here!

Junior Chefs visit The Reefs

2009-04-30T10:56:00.000-03:00

On Saturday, April 4th, more than 150 young people ages 10-15 came together to share their common interest in cooking at the Jr. Chef Kids Culinary Conference. The only event of its kind in the world, the Kids Culinary Conference promotes the practice and importance of making healthy food choices. Presented in a kid-focused environment, these sessions are designed to:

Help kids make smart food choices
Teach them independence and self-sufficiency
Build their confidence
Advance their culinary knowledge

Jr. Chef Central is a non-profit culinary program for young people that uses food to excite, educate and connect kids to their family, peers & community.

Three junior chefs visited The Reefs. Here are Master Jr. Chef Allison, Elite Jr. Chef Miyel and Master Jr. Chef Andrew pictured with Reefs chefs JR Perera (our Pastry Chef), Derryk Marshall (Sous Chef) and Didier Li Tsi Tsat (Sous Chef).

New Ocean Echo Menu

2009-03-31T15:11:00.011-03:00

When we recently introduced our new menu for Ocean Echo, the staff was very excited to taste the new menu items. So far the menu has been well received by guests.

Here are the managers and staff at the Ocean Echo menu tasting:

Some of Ocean Echo's new menu items include:

Warm Chocolate Gateau with
Red Wine Cinnamon Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream

Traditional Bermuda Fishcake

Reefs Seafood Platter

Prosciutto Ham Cornets

If you have visited The Reefs and tasted our new Ocean Echo menu, leave your comments here to let others know how you liked the dishes!

The Dissipated Eight Sing for Their Supper

2009-03-26T11:15:00.006-03:00

To the delight of guests, The Dissipated Eight, Middlebury College’s premier all-male a cappella group, stopped by for an evening of entertainment at The Reefs. This is part of a traditional spring time ritual in Bermuda where a cappella groups from many of the most prestigious colleges and universities descend upon Bermuda for a little fun and entertainment.

Group members generally stay in homes of Bermuda residents and sing at local hotels and restaurants in exchange for meals. It’s a great vacation for members of the a cappella groups and a unique experience for Bermuda visitors.

Guests at The Reefs give each group a rousing round of applause!

Delta Reduces Rates from LGA

2009-03-19T14:56:00.005-03:00

Beginning May 22, 2009, Delta is resuming daily non-stop flights from New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Bermuda.

Delta has lowered its one-way introductory fare from $129 per person to only $99 per person! This reduced rate is valid for travel from May 22 to July 15, 2009.

Your tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, April 1, 2009 and there are no restrictions on the days you travel.

Just imagine - if you take advantage of this deal you could be relaxing at The Reefs in just a few months!

Find out all the details to reserve your flight to Bermuda. We'll see you soon!

JetBlue Extends Discounted Airfare

2009-03-19T10:11:00.003-03:00

Your escape to the island paradise of Bermuda is even easier this year as we celebrate our 400th anniversary.

JetBlue has extended its discounted airfare from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Bermuda!

One-way fares are only $99 per person for travel between May 1, 2009 and June 17, 2009. Travel must take place on Tuesday or Wednesday and requires a 7-day advance purchase.

And check out our 400th Anniversary Special - you can receive a $400 resort credit on stays of 4 nights or more!

Call 1-800-742-2008 and plan your vacation at The Reefs today!

Limited Time Bermuda Airfare Deals

2009-02-17T15:55:00.013-04:00

Ready to book your vacation at The Reefs? JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta and Continental Airlines are having fantastic sales on airfare from New York to Bermuda!

JetBlue is offering one-way tickets between New York's JFK airport and Bermuda (BDA) for only $97 per person. This rate is good for travel on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays now through April 8, 2009.

American Airlines is also having a $97 per person one-way airfare sale. This is available for travel from New York's JFK airport to Bermuda on flights leaving between 2/25/09 - 2/27/09 and returning between 3/2/09 - 3/4/09.

Delta will bring back daily non-stop flights from New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Bermuda (BDA) beginning May 22. This flight complements Delta’s nonstop service to Bermuda from Boston and Atlanta.

Delta is offering a special one-way introductory fare of $129 per person for travel between LaGuardia and Bermuda from May 22 through July 15, 2009. A round-trip ticket purchase is required and tickets must be purchased by February 23, 2009.

Continental Airlines has round-trip airfare as low as $194 per person for travel now through early May between New York/Newark, NJ (EWR) and Bermuda (BDA). The Newark airport is very easy to get to from Central & Northern New Jersey and North Central &
Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Hurry and book your airfare soon to receive these deals!

Bermuda is 400

2009-01-15T13:04:00.000-04:00

This year marks Bermuda's 400th anniversary. Visit The Reefs and enjoy celebrations all year long!

The festivities began Saturday, January 3 in Hamilton with acrobatics, Japanese drumming, fire-eating, food and of course fireworks!

Throughout the year enjoy film festivals, historical exhibitions and Bermudian cultural celebrations. And once again, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf will return to Bermuda and this year will be played at the newly renovated Port Royal Golf Course.

View the entire list of activities

The Cool Dip Club

2009-01-13T15:59:00.001-04:00

Each year on December 31, those who are brave enough jump into the ocean for one last dip.

This year a total of 15 people were up for the challenge. There was even a canine participant, Director of Rooms David Dodwell Jr.'s dog, Logan.

2009 T+L 500 Award

2008-12-30T13:21:00.005-04:00

In their seventh annual "T+L 500", Travel + Leisure’s international team of reporters and editors checked out the 500 highest-rated hotels, resorts, inns, and lodges in their World’s Best survey and identified what makes them special.

The Reefs was ranked the #3 hotel in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas, up from #9 last year.

The entire list of 500 hotels is published in the January 2009 issue of Travel + Leisure on newsstands now.

Bermuda's Best Makes the Gold List

2008-12-23T12:08:00.006-04:00

The editors of Condé Nast Traveler have named The Reefs as one of the World’s Best Places to Stay for its fifth year in a row on their 2009 Gold List in the January issue on newsstands now.

Of more than 700 hotels worldwide selected from the 2008 readers’ survey results, The Reefs was the only Bermuda hotel to make the list.

More than 32,000 readers tested the top hotels and resorts around the world and named their favorites in the Readers' Choice Awards in November 2008. The Reefs was named the #3 Resort in the Atlantic!

What did Condé Nast Traveler readers have to say about The Reefs?

"Staff welcome you and they mean it."

And that's exactly what you will get when you stay at The Reefs ... superior service and the perfectly luxurious experience you are looking for.

Our Youngest Repeaters

2008-12-11T11:01:00.001-04:00

The Fatta family of Gloucester, MA enjoys The Reefs so much, they return each year and have for the past 15.

Joe and Carol Fatta bring their twin sons, Nick and Kyle, with them every time. Having been to The Reefs each year since first grade, Nick and Kyle Fatta just may be our youngest multiple repeaters yet!

As all Reefs guests know, we offer wonderful family vacations. A few years ago the Fatta's even invited Joe's family to join them at The Reefs to help celebrate Joe's birthday.

Carol says The Reefs is "soooooo easy to get to from Boston Logan Airport." Less than a 2 hour flight and you're in sunny Bermuda. Perhaps that’s part of the reason they return year after year.

How long have you been coming to The Reefs? Let us know!

JetBlue Upgrades Plane for New York Flight

2008-12-08T13:38:00.000-04:00

Here's some good news for Bermuda fans from New York - JetBlue Airways will increase its seat capacity by 50 percent between Bermuda and New York for part of the first quarter of 2009.

The added capacity for the Bermuda-JFK route takes place from February 12 and will run until April, when JetBlue Airways will fly an Airbus 320 instead of the Embraer 190.

The Airbus 320 aircraft carries 150 passengers; the Embraer 190 carries 100 passengers. In total it will make an extra 3,500 seats available over the course of the initiative.

So, escape the cold and head to Bermuda. We have some very enticing specials to make your vacation at The Reefs even better whether you prefer a short break from the cold or a romantic escape.

New Currency for 2009

2008-12-01T16:15:00.003-04:00

In early 2009, the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) will release $1 million worth of bank notes with a whole new look and feel - the first redesign of the Bermudian currency since the Bermuda dollar was issued in 1970.

The new bank notes will use of bold colors and local scenes, flora and fauna. Click here to see the new bank notes.

The notes also will carry new security features including:

a watermark of a hibiscus flower and an electrolyte in the shape of a sail boat
see-through features which will be unique to each denomination
serial numbers increasing in size
an iridescent band on the $20, $50 and $100 bills
a latent image

No longer will the Queen's portrait be the main image on the notes - it will be moved to the front left corner of the notes after the BMA was given approval by Buckingham Palace and the UK Post Office.

When you come to Bermuda next year you will be able to see the new Bermudian currency for yourself!

Beyoncé in Bermuda

2008-11-26T15:09:00.000-04:00

If you missed Beyoncé at the Bermuda Music Festival this October, you can follow her around Bermuda in this clip online here.

Watch this talented artist in her photo shoot for her upcoming album "I am ... Sasha Fierce."

Our Famous Ocean Echo Team

2008-11-21T17:27:00.000-04:00

Want to know why The Reefs staff is so special? It's because they work so well as a team to ensure each guest receives excellent service.

This teamwork was never so evident as when a photographer stopped by to take a picture of Derek Bean, Assistant Maitre d' of Ocean Echo to put on the hotel's web site.

When the photographer explained what he wanted, Derek looked around and called the entire staff over saying, "Come on! We're going to be famous!" He insisted everyone be included as each staff member works hard to create a wonderful dining experience.

Along with Derek in this photo are (from left to right) Glynis Harney, Maria Cuachon, Tracy Outerbridge, Judy Hughes and Judy Claxton.

How about a big round of applause for the Ocean Echo team?