Known for its pink sand beaches and pastel-hued buildings, Bermuda is small but mighty, withstanding the many hurricanes and tropical storms that have battered the island over the years. Stretching 22 miles, the destination is prime for a comeback, with occupancy hitting 63 percent in November 2019, according to STR, while Visit Bermuda saw an 8.2 percent year-over-year increase of vacation and leisure visitors. Part of the reason for the resurgence is new and renovated properties popping up along the coast. Among those is the redo of the Rosewood Bermuda, where Seattle firm Dawson Design Associates and New York- and London-based Alexander Waterworth Interiors let the lush landscape guide the bright and airy design.
The Beach Club bar at the Rosewood Bermuda nods to the tropical locale
Azura Boutique Hotel and Residences
The Azura Boutique Hotel and Residences features a contemporary island vibe
Perched on the cliffs high above the private beaches in Warwick is the Azura Boutique Hotel and Residences. The former surfside hotel—now home to 90 villas, townhouses, and loft units—has been reimagined by local firm CTX Design Group to maximize its beachside location, as well as “to create a transitional space that remembers the Bermuda of old, but with a more contemporary island feel,” says lead designer Jacob Hocking. Glass windows let light in and take advantage of the sumptuous coastal views, while bright colors, including bed throws that feature local prints, respond to the island’s energy. To help reduce the resort’s footprint, some of the newer units are topped with green roofs that allow vegetation to grow.
St. Regis Bermuda
The St. Regis Bermuda will celebrate Bermudian vernacular architecture
Situated in the town of St. George’s and set in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 122-key St. Regis Bermuda will wrap the coastline when it debuts in 2021. “The standout is the approach to the architecture,” says OBMI associate and lead hospitality designer Andrés Osorio, who was inspired by old Bermudian cottages. Multilevel rooflines and “increased proportions accommodate the contemporary lifestyle of this era,” he adds. For the interiors, Design Duncan Miller Ullmann enriched the property through “purposeful irreverence, saturated colors, and bold geometry,” says Eric Ullmann, president and design principal of the Dallas firm. Indoor-outdoor spaces will expand the connection with nature, while guestrooms with private balconies and outdoor living spaces will offer welcome moments of respite.
Bermudiana Beach Resort
The Bermudiana Beach Resort is slated for a 2020 opening
Hilton’s debut property in Bermuda, the Bermudiana Beach resort, will be nestled on a cliff that overlooks the island’s South Shore. Slated to open this year, the design of the 111-key Tapestry Collection property is led by Asmayda, which wanted to celebrate the island’s natural beauty. “The goal was to achieve a high-quality look and feel on a sensible budget,” says Bruce Engebretson, managing director and partner at the Miami-based firm. Further, the design reinterprets Bermuda’s history through a contemporary lens, with modern materials like pecky cypress wood washed in a white stain wrapping the restaurant and bar area. To be as welcoming to vacationing families as to honeymooning couples, a warm, inviting palette “reflects the natural beauty of the island,” he says.
This article originally appeared in HD’s February 2020 issue.
