Incentive - June 2008 - (Page 74)

BERMUDA It was February in New York, but Bermuda’s appeal is not just timeless, it’s also seasonless TRAVEL The Fairmont Southampton’s Willow Stream Spa offers its own pool, Jacuzzis and beauty salon Off-Season Island Idyll Even in February, the Fairmont’s Bermuda properties live up to the highest standards By Daniel Corcoran A s I drove to the Newark, N.J., airport in the middle of a February snowstorm, I was extra careful not to speed. Not only was the driving treacherous, but any police officer who saw me wearing shorts and a pastel-colored shortsleeve shirt would probably offer me a complimentary Breathalyzer as well. The truth was, I had been invited down to experience Bermuda in what was traditionally referred to as the off-season, but was now being marketed as the “golf and spa” season. Regardless of what they call this time of year in the islands, it is called “winter” in New Jersey, so I was excited to be going (in spite of the raised eyebrow that my wife gave me when I told her about this “business trip”). Upon landing from the quick, hour-and40-minute flight, I began exiting the plane into 71-degree, no-clouds-in-the-sky weather. Suddenly, my attire was perfect. I grabbed my bags and headed to the curb to meet Tony “Fly” Hodgson, the fiancé of a friend and fellow medical student of my wife’s, who had offered to drive me wherever I might need to go in Bermuda. As we drove away from the airport, Fly pointed out the various hotels that were expanding and renovating to meet the needs of the ever-growing number of groups and individuals who make Bermuda their preferred travel destination. Soon we were motoring up the grand drive of the Fairmont Southampton, past the meticulously maintained golf course to the front entrance. We were warmly welcomed by the bellman and the very friendly staff at the front desk. It was clear that Bermuda had passed the first test: being perfectly staffed to address the arrival and needs of the golf/spa season guests! After checking in and unpacking, I met Fly in the lobby, and he drove me out to the Royal Naval Dockyards and the Keep, a six-acre fortress that is now part of the Bermuda Maritime Museum as well as home to wonderful shops and restaurants. We started with a memorable meal at the Frog & Onion. With the feel and décor of an English castle, right down to the large, stone fireplace bar, the Frog & Onion makes for a must-experience establishment. Be sure to try the Dockyard Fish & Chips, and of course a planter’s punch (the traditional rum swizzle, with an extra shot of Bermuda’s Gosling’s Black Seal rum). It’s a great spot for a group to start or even spend a day, with attractions that include a swim-with-the-dolphins experience at 74 | Incentive | June 2008 | incentivemag.com http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - June 2008

Incentive - June 2008 Contents Editor’s Note In The News Cover Story: Seventh Annual Industry Roundtable Incentive Interview Case Study Soft Incentives Empowerment and Engagement The Incentive Career Incentive Primer Travel News: Where To Go and What To Do The Cook Islands Field Report: Bermuda Potentials: Here and Now 50 Top Motivators: The Best of the Best Electronics: High-end Audio Equipment Gift Cards: Should One Be Enough? Advertiser Index Off The Cuff

Incentive - June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.