The Reefs Hotel & Club

Forget Florida. Forget Mexico. Americans looking to escape their harried lives should consider hopping on a direct 2-hour flight from the East Coast to Bermuda (Jet Blue frequently has flights from JFK for under $300) to enjoy the island's pink sand beaches, turquoise waters and shallow reefs, which are perfect for snorkeling. There, you'll find all the distinctive touches that have made Bermuda a popular vacation spot for decades: the long shorts and high dark socks on men, the dark 'n' stormies and the white lime rooftops.

I recently spent a week in Bermuda checking out the resorts and spas and fell in love with The Reefs Hotel & Club, one of Bermuda's most-beloved resorts and a fixture on the "best lists" of the leading travel industry publications including Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler.

Keep in mind Bermuda is known as a honeymoon destination and a great vacation spot for families. It's not the best island for singles. If you are looking for a quiet girlfriend getaway, The Reefs and Bermuda won't disappoint, but if you are looking for a fun, party scene, try elsewhere.

You won't find better views or a more perfect private beach in Bermuda, but the key to enjoying a 5-star experience at The Reefs Hotel & Club is to score the right room.

Accommodations at The Reefs range from rooms with private sun decks (perfect for couples), to cottages with up to 4 bedrooms (perfect for families or groups), to the luxurious, Club Residences which were created as fractional ownerships but for the time being are used as part of the hotel.

I stayed in a Club Residence and the experience was overwhelmingly luxurious. The suite came with a sweeping wrap-around terrace, its own private hot tub overlooking the Club's infinity pool and the Atlantic Ocean, 2 master bedrooms and bathrooms, a full kitchen, a living room, dining room, extra half-bath, laundry facilities and 3 flat-screen TVs (which I never turned on) -- the perfect home away from home. The bathrooms each had a soaking tub and a state-of-the-art shower stocked with L'OCCITANE products, thick bathrobes and fluffy, expensive towels.

The Club Residences are ideal for two couples or a family of up to six, but is likely too much space for a couple on a romantic getaway.

If you opt for a guest room, I strongly recommend requesting a room that's undergone recent renovations -- these are the most desirable rooms and are worth the extra cost. All rooms come with ocean views, private sun decks and king-sized beds (fair warning: the king beds are sometimes two twins pushed together). If you can afford a Pointe Suite, go for it -- you'll get outstanding views, more privacy and a private hot tub.

My best friend Laura and I enjoyed every meal we had at The Reefs, which boasts three separate restaurants with three3 entirely different experiences. You'll want to make reservations in advance of your trip to ensure you get the best seating possible.

Each morning we took advantage of the huge breakfast buffet (part of the cost of our stay) at Ocean Echoes and dined on the terrace overlooking the beach. We had fresh juices and decent coffee (I'm particular about my coffee) and choose from every kind of breakfast food imaginable. I enjoyed omelettes crafted at a special omelette station, savory hashbrowns, waffles -- which most mornings were "to die for" -- and a variety of fresh fruits. The breakfast filled us up so much that we were able to skip lunch, which is not part of the hotel's MAP meal program (breakfast, traditional English tea and dinner).

The dinner we enjoyed on the terrace at Ocean Echoes was exquisite. I had lobster bisque which was so divine my server brought out the chef, Philippe Haddad, to explain to me his secret ingredients. The Atlantic rockfish -- one of Bermuda's specialities -- was sauteed in a butter truffle sauce. Each bite was exquisite and savory. Laura is a vegetarian and usually finds the vegetarian options on menus to be an afterthought of the chef, but she was more than pleased with her Ravioli Trio in sundried tomato pesto sauce. For desserts, we loved the chocolate souffle, the traditional Austrian strudel and The Reef's signature bread pudding, which was so good, we forced ourselves to finish it even though we were stuffed.

Coconuts is a favorite restaurant among hotel guests and books up the fastest because you feel as if you're dining on the beach while sitting on the restaurant's decks, just yards from the surf. You can also arrange (for an extra $100) to eat at one of the select tables on the beach. This is a must for honeymooners and couples celebrating an anniversary.

When reserving a table at Coconuts, make sure to request a table with a view. The Reefs has many repeat customers and they know to arrange the best tables in advance. I caught sight of the hostess's reservation pad and it was full of notes with special requests for scenic seats.

Somehow the concierge mixed up our dinner reservation on our last night at The Reefs and the hostess at Coconuts didn't have us on her list. Although it was a busy night, Manny, the wonderful bartender, kept us occupied for more than an hour with drinks and his great company as we waited for a table. We ended up at perhaps the worst table in Coconuts located near the hostess station, which was heavily trafficked and spotlit with harsh lighting. We learned our lesson: request the best in advance and then confirm the reservation, and then if things fall through, adopt the relaxed attitude of the local Bermudans.

Aside from the MAP dining program, the Reefs also offers a "Dine Around" program, which allows you to eat at Cambridge Beaches or Pompano resorts. Keep in mind that dining outside the resort can be costly due to expensive cab fares.

Laura and I tried out Bermuda's famed public beaches, but we quickly realized that the private beach at The Reefs was far superior and it's no wonder -- The Reefs is acclaimed for having one of the best private beaches in Bermuda.

In between sunning and napping in the beach chairs, we bobbed in the water and I snorkeled around the reefs, which are located just yards off the beach. One morning we took kayaks out for an hour, paddling around to a secluded beach where I stopped to snorkel some more. Staff members brought fresh fruit and ice cold washcloths around every couple hours and we ordered drinks delivered right to our chairs.

I'm a beauty writer so of course I had to check out La Serena Spa, which was only a year old at the time of my visit. I'm a firm believer in taking time out for the spa on vacations and I enjoyed a wonderful wrap and massage one day and the best facial of my life another day (read my full review of La Serena Spa).

Other amenities offered at The Reefs include infinity pools, tennis courts and a fitness center.

Laura and I enjoyed a few daily excursions into the cities of Hamilton and St. George's and took a private snorkeling tour with Jessie James Cruises, which I highly recommend. We snorkeled near shipwrecks and saw schools of fish through the glass-bottom boat (a must for your trip). Next time I'm in Bermuda I plan to rent a scooter from the resort so I can explore the island without paying for cabs.