The Spa at the Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda

Julie Register, Your Guide to Spas, visited this spa in Bermuda in August 2002.  

Photo Index Click HERE for photos of the Spa at Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda Click HERE for photos of a perfect romantic day - sail and snorkel, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, a romantic spa experience and Paradise Dining at the Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda    Click HERE for photos of the Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda  Click HERE for photos of things to do in Bermuda Click HERE for information on traditional healing plants of Bermuda Contact Sonesta Beach Resort  Bermuda • Address:  No. 6 Sonesta Drive Southampton SN02 P.O. Box HM1070 Hamilton HMEX Bermuda • Phone:  (441) 238-8122 • Fax:  (441) 238-1245 • Email • Web Site More Spas in Bermuda • Spas in Bermuda Related Resources • Bermuda Department of Tourism • Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute • Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo • Ocean Wind Sail Charters Mike Voegeli PO Box HM 1699 Hamilton HMGX, Bermuda 441-238-0825 • Crystal Caves Wilkinson Avenue 441-293-0640 Books About Bermuda Images of Bermuda Bermuda Gardens & Houses Diving Bermuda Frommer's Bermuda 2003 Fodor's Bermuda 2002 Music in Bersalon Spa Natural Massage Therapy

Bermuda 

It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that I was writing about my anniversary trip to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania and Enchantment Resort in Arizona before that. In fact, another year has quickly passed. I have just returned from my latest anniversary trip to a very different location...Bermuda. Jeff and I celebrated both our anniversary and Jeff's birthday at the Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda. Everything I had heard about this wonderful island was true: 

• The entire island looks like a well-tended garden - no litter, pretty houses, hibiscus hedges, and flowering plants in abundance; 
• Men wore shorts, knee socks, dress shirts, ties and jackets all at the same time; 
• The beaches were beautiful - interesting rock formations, extraordinarily fine, soft pink sand and brilliant blue and aqua water; 
• The weather was great - in the 80's and no rain; 
• The people were pleasant - we did not run into the "hard sell" that I have experienced on other islands;
• And things were a bit expensive - almost everything is imported, after all. 

Sonesta Beach Resort 

The Sonesta Beach Resort offers just about everything you could want in the way beaches, activities, and dining. The resort sits on a 25 acre peninsula surrounded by three protected beaches. Westernmost Boat Bay Beach seemed to attract families, Easternmost Crossbay Beach seemed to attract a party crowd, and between these was the quiet, peaceful Sinky Bay Beach. Jeff and I found Sinky Bay Beach just right for us and spent quit a bit of time climbing around on the cliffs that separated Sinky Bay from the ocean. The views were stunning. There was one area where we were about 60' above the water and could see large brilliant neon blue fish (parrot fish?) swimming around.

Food at the resort was fabulous. Award-winning Executive Chef, Stephan Juliusburger (who, at one point in his career, was the chef for the Grateful Dead) has created an imaginative and flavorful menu. We particularly enjoyed the "evolved" cuisine at Lillian's, a combination of Japanese and Italian ingredients and techniques. Perhaps our favorite dishes were those we had at lunch in the Longtail Café - Bermuda Fish Chowder and Crab Quesadillas. Outstanding!

Our room had a lovely view overlooking Sinky Bay. We didn't spend a lot of time in it, though! 

Things to Do

One day, we rented a scooter at the resort and explored the island. It's only 20-some miles long, and there are many interesting sites to see. We stopped at the Gibb's Hill Lighthouse and climbed to the top for a wonderful view of the island. We also stopped at the Crystal Caves and enjoyed the tour. The speed limit is only 35 kph, but the roads are narrow and winding. There were more than a few times I was happy Jeff was driving and not me. It gave me many opportunities to hug Jeff (for dear life!). I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it (both renting a scooter and hugging someone special)!

Another day, we went on a chartered sailboat and snorkeled around the reefs near a secluded beach. The water was warm, and we saw a great variety of colorful fish and coral.

Romantic Spa Treatment

The highlight of the trip was, however, a romantic spa treatment. Bersalon Spa does not have this on its menu of spa services but was happy to accommodate the request. I made the request before arriving in Bermuda but did not know exactly what the spa would do to make our anniversary celebration special. All I knew was that our appointment was at 5 p.m.. We arrived at the spa at 4:30 in order to have time to use the whirlpool bath, steam and sauna. These are in separate men's and women's locker rooms, so we parted company. After relaxing a bit, we were escorted back out to the reception desk. From there, we were led outside and around the building to the the cliffs in front of the original part of the resort. There, we passed through an Oriental Moongate. Legend claims everlasting happiness for lovers who step hand-in-hand through the Moongate. We walked down past Honeymoon Point, a beautiful area overlooking a waterfall and the ocean - often used for wedding ceremonies and receptions. We continued down until we reached a private, secluded beach surrounded on three sides by tall cliffs and the ocean on the fourth side. There, waiting for us in the shade of a cliff, were two massage tables and two massage therapists, Tyson and Bianca. Tyson gave me a massage, and Bianca gave Jeff a massage. We both thought the massages were outstanding. (Tyson was trained in Canada and Bianca was trained in the UK. Both places require extensive training.) During the massage, all I could hear was the sound of the surf and the occasional wave crashing over the rocks separating the private beach from the ocean. If I had a chance to design the perfect place to have a massage, I'm not sure I could improve on this beach. It was utterly fantastic. 

Bersalon Spa 

The 7,000 square-foot Bersalon Spa was opened in 1984. It has separate men's and women's locker rooms - each with lockers, showers, whirlpool bath, steam room, sauna and relaxation area where tea and water are available. There is one wet treatment room and three dry treatment rooms located between the locker rooms that can be used by either men or women. There are seven treatment rooms for women only. The women-only treatment rooms have lovely views of Sinky Bay. 

Treatments offered on the spa menu include cathiodermie facials, Guinot facials, CACI non-surgical face and body lifts, salt glow skin polish, paraffin body treatment, massage (Swedish, stress, back, jet lag, energizing, Indian head, duet, deep tissue, aromatherapy), reflexology, craniosacral therapy, Hydradermie Bust Treatment, Phytomer self-heating ocean mud treatments, cellulite treatment, G-5 toning, manicures, pedicures, waxing, electrolysis, makeup and hair services among many others. 

Robes, towels and amenities are provided but apparently not slippers/sandals. We were given sandals to wear because we went outside. It did not appear that the other clients of the spa were given anything to wear on their feet.

Gratuities are not included in the listed price of spa services and treatments. 

According to Bersalon President, Michael Ternent, the spa will undergo a refurbishment this winter. The whirlpool tubs, steam rooms and saunas will be replaced. The current gang shower in the men's locker room will be replaced with individual shower stalls. The treatment rooms will be updated, and pedicure stations will be added to the salon. 

There are also an aerobics studio and fitness center located in the spa. Hopefully, they will consider the the addition of sound insulation to the wall between the men's relaxation lounge and the aerobics studio in the upcoming spa renovations. The fitness center has a separate entrance and is open at 6 a.m.. It overlooks Sinky Bay and was well-utilized during our visit. A few additional treadmills and a couple of elliptical machines would be a nice addition to the good selection of equipment currently available. 

Next Time 

Jeff and I both had a wonderful time at the Sonesta Beach Resort and Bermuda. There are many things we did not get a chance to do - kayaking around the rock formations, visiting other beaches such as the one at Horseshoe Bay, riding bikes on the Railway Trail, going "On the Gomba Trail" (a guided hike along a historic nature trail where visitors learn about culinary and medicinal uses of the plants they saw), and extended shopping at the Royal Navy Dockyard to name a few. We look forward to returning some day.

Sonesta Packages 

The Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda offers two packages that would interest those looking for a romantic and/or spa experience on Bermuda:

Note: The following quoted rates are per night and the packages are available only for a minimum 3-night stay

Bermuda's Best Romance Package 2002/2003

- Luxurious accommodations in a Waterview, Oceanfront or Beachfront Junior Suite for two, four days/three nights
- Round-trip airport transfers in Bermuda for two people
- One massage per person, including gratuities
- Picnic Basket for two
- Paradise Dining (A private romantic dinner for two set directly on the beach)
 (gratuities of $30.00 per person to be paid at hotel)
- Use of a two-seat motor scooter throughout your stay, including damage waiver fee
- Extra nights available at package rates, including motor scooter and dinner for two at Lillian's finest Italian restaurant with an exceptional Sushi Bar. Meals are exclusive of gratuities and beverage

 

Romance Rates  (minimum 3-night stay at a nightly rate, Double Occupancy)
Daily & Nightly Rate Room Category	4-1-02 thru  4-30-02, and  9-1-02 thru 11-15-02	5-1-02  thru 8-31-02	11-15-02 to 3-31-03
Beach Front Junior Suite	$615	$655	$420
Oceanfront	$550	$590	$380
Waterview	$495	$525	$360

 

Spa Sampler Package 2002/2003

The "ONE/TWO" inclusions of the below package apply to the spa client only - wherever specified

- Luxurious accommodations in an Islandview, Waterview or Oceanfront Room for two, four days/three nights
- Round-trip airport transfers in Bermuda for two people
- European Facial Treatment for ONE/TWO people
- Daily use of spa facilities, sauna, steam bath, whirlpool, fitness room, bathrobes, towels, lockers and relaxation lounge for ONE/TWO people
- Self-heating Ocean Mud Treatment for ONE/TWO people
- Relaxation and Tranquility Massage for ONE/TWO people
- AromaSpa Pedicure Therapy for ONE/TWO people
- All applicable gratuities, taxes & resort levy for two people     
- Available for one or two spas per room
- Extra nights at package rates with choice of Facial or Massage Treatment for ONE/TWO people

 

Spa Rates for ONE/TWO  (minimum 3-night stay at a nightly rate, Double Occupancy)
Daily & Nightly Rate Room Category	4-1-02 thru 4-30-02 and 9-1-02 thru 11-15-02	5-1-02  thru 8-31-02	11-15-02 to 3-31-03
One Spa Client in Room
Oceanfront	$565	$605	$395
Waterview	$510	$540	$375
Islandview	$475	$510	$365
Two Spa Clients in Room
Oceanfront	$730	$770	$560
Waterview	$675	$705	$540
Islandview	$640	$660	$530

Package rates subject to change

Photos copyright 2002, Julie Register
Licensed to About.com  
unless marked * which are courtesy of the Sonesta Beach Resort Bermuda

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