SOMERSET, Bermuda
-- As the oldest cottage colony in Bermuda, Cambridge Beaches has
its traditions. But as the island moves to update its image to
attract more vacationers, the 100-year-old resort is embracing some
eyebrow-raising changes of its own.
For example,
jackets are off in the main dining room. Though still encouraged,
they are no longer required. And a marketing effort is in the works
offering offbeat packages, including one aimed at drawing travelers
from the Northeast to the resort during the upcoming national
political conventions.
Meanwhile, a
romance expert on staff helps guests plan where to pop the question
or how to rekindle the flame, and an innovative Australian is in
the kitchen running the resorts food and beverage
operations.
Were trying to
enhance the guest experience, said Richard Quinn, the Bermuda
native who manages Cambridge Beaches. We want our guests to have an
extensive range of options, from our dining offerings to our
activities.
The resorts food
service has been shaken up by Jason Patterson, who joined Cambridge
Beaches as director of food and beverage in January from
Millenniums Abu Dhabi Hotel in the United Arab Emirates.
In the past few
months, Patterson has introduced romantic dinners for two on a
private island ($500 per couple plus 15% service fee), a six-course
chefs table under the stars at the Star Dock on Wednesdays and
Saturdays (prices vary from $160 to $215 per person) and a buffet
of fresh seafood on Mondays at the Tamarisk restaurant.
Cambridge Beaches
guests also are interested in romance. Thats why this summer the
resort gave Guest Services Manager Nadja Talevi the additional
title of proposal concierge.
Its Talevis job to
create a romantic setting for couples who are courting as well as
those looking for new ways to recharge their relationships. (About
50% of the resorts guests return, often to celebrate
anniversaries.)
Talevi knows all of
the best backdrops for a romantic marriage proposal, both on the
property and around the island. She also can arrange a sunset yacht
cruise or a more adventurous parasailing ride for two.
The dining and
romance options are the latest innovations at Cambridge Beaches,
located on a 30-acre peninsula at the western tip of the island
near Somerset. In the past few years the resort has spent $10
million on renovations, including additions to the Ocean
Spa.
The resort also
added 18 rooms, bringing its total to 94 cottage rooms and
suites.
High-season rates
(April 16 to Oct. 31) range from $475 per night, double, for a
gardenview room to $1,480 for a two-bedroom cottage. Breakfast,
English tea and dinner are included. Guests can also choose a plan
that includes only breakfast and afternoon tea.
The resort offers
traditional as well as offbeat packages. For example, the Escape
the Convention package for those who want to skip the Republican
hoopla is available Aug. 25 to Sept. 7 to anyone flying out of New
York. It includes four nights accommodations, breakfast and dinner
daily, afternoon tea and a $125 resort credit. Rates begin at $950
per person, double. Taxes and gratuities are extra.
Travel agent
commission is 10%. For more information on Cambridge Beaches, call
(800) 468-7300 or visit www.cambridgebeaches.com.
To contact the
reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to [email protected].