Paget Parish, Bermuda - Elbow Beach Hotel

I have just returned from a week on one of my favorite islands: Bermuda. Less than two short hours by plane from Boston and NYC, it is the perfect quick getaway for East Coasters. 

My preferred hotel is the Elbow Beach Bermuda (a Mandarin Oriental property), which as the name states, sits right on the pristine and turquoise waters of Elbow Beach. The location is idyllic and only a five minute taxi ride to the shops, bars and restaurants of downtown Hamilton. 

We stayed in a very spacious premier garden room (between the main property and the beach) that had open beamed ceilings,  a patio,  and can sleep up to three people. The room was renovated and modern, with a huge bathroom and all the amenities you could need, from an ipod docking station, to twice daily housekeeping services, free wifi, and all premier movie channels. I do love the plushness of the Mandarin Oriental beds and down pillows!

We filled our days with big breakfasts overlooking the ocean, lots of morning tennis and lazy afternoons lying on the beach with rum swizzle cocktails served right to our lounge chairs.

The best part of the island? The local Bermudians! I was blown away by the friendliness and kindness of everyone I met, from hotel and restaurant staff to taxi drivers. As one taxi driver told us, "It doesn't cost anything to be nice to people." Indeed. 

Over the next few days I will be posting about all my favorite restaurants and watering holes on the island so stay tuned ...