Gadling: Top 5 things to do in Bermuda

Bermuda is a paradise where tourists can have a good time away from the hustle and bustle of urban living.  With various attractions, both natural and man-made all throughout the island, visitors are sure to find myriads of ways to have fun.  In this article from Gadling.com, Melanie Nayer lists five things tourists must do upon their visit to Bermunda.


Few people think to travel to Bermuda but those who do find a charm unknown on many more popular islands. While Bermuda is technically a British overseas territory, the residents of Bermuda consider themselves very much an independent nation. Bermudians are known for their practicality, integrity and simple luxuries - they are fiercely proud of their heritage and it shows in all aspects of their island.

It's hard to find an unattractive place in Bermuda. Thanks to the turquoise waters and multi-million dollar homes, Bermuda is utterly elegant. But like most anywhere, there's a hidden side to Bermuda that will take a tourist past the pink sands and inside the history that makes Bermuda such a great destination spot.

1. Dark and Stormy's
   There's no drink a Bermudian loves more than a good Dark and Stormy, which is why it's known as the national drink of the island. The Dark and Stormy gained popularity in the sailing community along the east coast, thanks to black rum brought home by various sailors who frequented Bermuda. Made with Gosling's® Black Seal rum and ginger beer, the drink is poured over ice and garnished with a lime. Some variations of the dark and stormy include adding gingerale, muddling the lime and decorating the rim of the glass with sugar but in Bermuda, simple is best and the old standby is the best: Pour the rum, add the ginger beer, and enjoy!
   
2. Golf at Tucker's Point
   The Tucker's Point golf course is one of the most talked about courses among golf's elite. In its 2005 World's Best Golf Resorts issue, Travel + Leisure Golf's readers placed the club in the top three in categories of Best Golf Resort and Best Restaurants in the Caribbean, but there's a special place on this course for beginners, too. Grab a lesson with one of the golf pros and tee off amid some of the most breathtaking views of the island, thanks to Tucker Point's perfect position along Castle Harbour and Harrington Sound. I took a turn on the links and while I'm not ready for any upcoming PGA tour, I enjoyed the exercise and scenery from my few hours on the course. The undulations and landscape make this course worth a visit for any traveler. After 18-holes (or nine, or just a few driving rounds), head into the Golf Clubhouse for food and drink in the private club, decorated with an authentic Bermuda in mind. Don't worry if you forget anything, the Golf Pro Shop has everything you could want from golf shorts and shirts to hats and shoes.
   
3. Boat ride to the stars
   The beauty of Bermuda lies in its intimacy, which is why many celebrities look for a home on the island. Hope a boat ride to the outskirts of the island and take a glimpse of the famous homes of the stars including Ross Perot, David Bowie and his wife Iman, and Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones. While you're out and about, tuck into a few of the hidden coves and awe at the homes and boats of Bermuda's wealthiest residents. Why? Because you can.
4. St. George's town
   St George's was Bermuda's original settlement and one-time capital located at the east end of the country. It's a great way to kill a few hours and spot some historic architecture. A walking tour is a good way to explore the museums and shops and if you're lucky, you'll run into the Town Crier along the way, who will reenact some of Bermuda's famous moments in history. The hub of town life is King's Square where you'll find Town Hall and the State House, dating back to the early 1600s. Nearby are art galleries and museums, but the best part of the area are the narrow sidewalks and hidden streets that frame the picturesque homes.
5. Bermuda glassblowing
   While you're here, don't miss a visit to the Bermuda Glassblowing Studio. Watch the artists in action and marvel at how color and shapes are made with hot glass. Bring your wallet because it's likely you'll want to walk out with a treasure from this idyllic island.

John Jefferis and the three birds

Good food, John Jefferis believes, is part of the Coco Reef Resorts experience. Alfresco dining, even more so. So much so that Jefferis himself took responsibility for the design and selection of every interior detail of the hotel, including the dining area. Guests loved the alfresco breakfast setting, but with it also came small birds that would, along with the guests, partake of the seemingly inviting, sumptuous feast.

John Jefferis. Image Credit: Bookingadvisor.com

But Jefferis, ever the innovator, had an idea. Those who know him know that innovation is in his blood. For decades, he has been at the forefront of innovation in every area of hospitality management, and he also had a penchant for marketing. Thus, John Jefferis knew that marketing and innovating worked best hand-in-hand. So, instead of hiring pest exterminators employing nets to catch the errant birds or moving the dining area inside, he hired three birds instead: Coco, Lakshmi, and Starling.

John Jefferis. Image Credit: Panoramio.com

Coco, a five-year-old Harris hawk from England; Lakshmi, a 10-year-old owl from India; and Starling, a nine-year-old black hawk from Tobago were set to work. These three birds, under the watchful eye of Kelton Thomas, who is a noted ornithologist and a professional falconer, kept all the other birds at bay. They were allowed to pose for photographs as well. The guests loved them.

John Jefferis. Image Credit: Luxury-escapes.com

John Jefferis is the highly lauded owner of Coco Reef Resorts in Tobago and Bermuda, both of which have won awards over the years. Jefferis himself was awarded “Premier Hotelier of the Caribbean” in 2006.

John Jefferis. Image Credit: Islandbrides.com

For more information on Jeff Jefferis and Coco Reef Resorts, visit the Coco Reef official homepage.

John Jefferis shares success with his people

Caribbean hotelier John Jefferis gives credit to where it’s due. The owner of the famous Coco Reef resorts in the region, Jefferis knows where success truly comes from. Always exuding that humble persona, he honors the same people that helped him become one of the top hoteliers in the region—his staff.

From John Jefferis

In his acceptance speech during the 2003 World Travel Awards Ceremony where he received the award for having “The Best Resort in the Caribbean,” he said that “the success of Coco Reef is not based on the US $50 million spent on the property, but rather on the friendly, caring, and professional attitude of the staff at the hotel who should share in this award.”


When the Coco Reef Resort and Spa in Tobago won the World Travel Award in 2011, John Jefferis again dedicated the honor to the men and women in his Caribbean properties.

John Jefferis. Image Credit: breakingtravelnews.com

“Our guests continue to tell us that their most memorable experience is [with] our friendly, courteous, and professional staff,” he said.


Valuing the people and recognizing their worth has in fact etched an inspiration to his staff—a sense of respect carved hard in the minds, and interestingly, even posted on the wall.


“When it comes to staff, hire for smile and attitude, train for skills![sic] It has always been Mr. Jefferis’ motto. I have it framed on the wall in my office,” says general manager Eric Feniet. And it does work.


More information about John Jefferis is available at this Twitter page.

From John Jefferis

John Jefferis on expanding hotel empire to exotic Panama

With the unprecedented success of Coco Reef hotels in Tobago and Bermuda, John Jefferis has never been more confident of the continued growth of his hotel brand. After an impressive streak in national and international awards where he received one distinction after another, Mr. Jefferis set his sights to another uncharted territory for the possible expansion of Coco Reef.

John Jefferis. Image Credit: Internationalliving.com

Panama.

Set within the isthmus connecting North and South America, Panama is a canal city that offers a myriad of adventures for the audacious soul. Known for its exotic splendor and fascinating culture, it has enthralled many tourists for many years—a getaway experience par none. Panama can indubitably quench any tourist’s thirst for adventure. No wonder John Jefferis took a great interest in this prime location.

Tourists find Panama to be a tropic paradise, with its virginal beaches and pristine waters that spread out into the indefinite vastness. Nature lovers are also sure to enjoy the rain and cloud forests that serve as home to a surprising biodiversity. With over 1,500 species of trees, 7,000 vascular plants, and nearly 940 species of birds, it is an experience worth cherishing for a lifetime.

John Jefferis. Image Credit: Cocoreefbermuda.com

Faithful customers of Coco Reef Tobago and Bermuda can now experience the same world-class hotel services in an entirely new and revitalizing location.

When asked about the plans for a new Coco Reef development in Panama, John Jefferis gives an assured response. “[We are] still working on the developmental plans,” he said, further noting that the hotel will be built on a private island.

John Jefferis. Image Credit: Islandbrides.com

For more information on John Jefferis, visit this Facebook page or follow this Twitter account.

Caribbean hotel king John Jefferis behind the accolades

An undisputed force in the Caribbean hotel industry, Coco Reef owner John Jefferis is a decorated man. Even before taking over the development of Coco reef Tobago in 1991, he already made a name for himself in the hotel business when he bagged the first Bermuda “Hotelier of the Year” Award back in 1989, proving that, even at such an early time in his career then, he was, and still is, a force to be reckoned with in the business.

John Jefferis Image Credit: Greengirlsglobal.com

From then on, there was nowhere else to go but up. In 1990, he was elected ‘Caribbean Hotelier of the Year’ in recognition of his indispensable efforts to make The Elbow Hotel an exemplar of excellence. In 1991, John Jefferis steered a project that was to become The Coco Reef Tobago, the premier beachfront hotel in the whole of the Caribbean, a paradise resort that would eventually catapult him to the frontiers of the industry. In 1999, The Coco Reef won ‘Caribbean Dream Resort of the Year,’ paving way for the hotel’s imminent success.

John Jefferis Image credit: Cocoreefbermuda.com

The feat carried on to the next millennium. In September of 2000, Jefferis, won the Ernst & Young sponsored ‘Caribbean Entrepreneur of the Year Award.’ During the prestigious 2003 World Travel Awards Ceremony in London, considered by many as the ‘Oscars’ of the global Travel and Tourism industry, Coco Reef Resort received the distinction as ‘The Best Resort in the Caribbean,” affirming the initial recognition accorded a few years back. John Jefferis, in his incessant drive to be on top, made sure Coco Reef never left the list. From 2008- 2012, Coco Reef Tobago never failed to notch the distinction, leaving the award-giving body deeply impressed with its ability to withstand the global economic downturn while consistently providing customer service that is beyond comparison.

John Jefferis Image credit: Breakingtravelnews.com

“[He] is not only a great guy and a passionate hotelier; he is probably the best marketeer in the business,” says award-winning hotelier Robin Hutson about his long-time colleague. “John deserves every bit of his success which he has achieved through hard work, tenacity and humor.”


To know more about John Jefferis, visit this Facebook page or follow this Twitter account.

John Jefferis: Master innovator of Caribbean hospitality

It took one visionary hotelier to leap beyond the bounds of convention and break new ground for world-class hospitality business in the Caribbean—premier hotelier John Jefferis.

John Jefferis. Image credit: Breakingtravelnews.com

While the Caribbean hotel industry is built on the daring entrepreneurial spirit of its pioneer innovators, Jefferis on the other hand is doing a unique facelift of the trade—adding elegance on beach resorts and providing luxurious hotel stays.

John Jefferis. Image credit: Bookingadvisor.com

Back when he was still a modest hotel manager in one of the Caribbean’s tourism hubs, nobody would have thought that Jefferis was cut out of a different cloth. After four decades of hard work, he was able to sew a new fabric of success along the hems of old business tradition for the Caribbean hotel industry.

John Jefferis. Image credit: Islandbrides.com

Always thinking out of the box, John Jefferis is a man who relishes uniqueness. He can still vividly remember the time when he was building the Coco Reef Resort and Spa in Tobago back in the 1990s. He shared his dismay over the design which he described as “just like any other hotel.” Jefferis actually wanted a bar circling over the hotel’s lobby, a suggestion met with expected reservations. “They never could seem to understand that I wanted something theatrical and dramatic,” he said.


A sweet taste of vindication came when Coco Reef was voted as the best resort in the Caribbean World Travel Awards.


Today, John Jefferis plays an active role in supporting efforts to continually lift Bermuda’s tourism industry. Aside from being an owner of a chain of successful resorts and hotels in the Caribbean islands, he is a recipient of many significant awards and recognitions—a true testament for a man who continues to innovate the unique Caribbean hospitality.


Learn more about John Jefferis by visiting this Wordpress blog.

John Jefferis: Indulging you with palate pleasures

To complete your Caribbean vacation, indulge in some of the finest and most delectable flavors at John Jefferis’ Coco Reef Bermuda Resort.

The hotel boasts of its culinary artistry, courtesy of award-winning British chef and restaurant cookbook writer Jason Prangnell. The talented chef has had the honor of serving a wide range of people from the likes of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the Commonwealth Heads of State summit in Trinidad to the equally important locals and guests. Samples of his gastronomic delights are the fusion of international cuisine and Bermudian flavors.

From John Jefferis

Morning delights

Start your day by delighting yourself with the breakfast buffet at the La Vista Bar or Café Coco Restaurant. There’s a wide array of choices from fresh fruits and yogurt to breakfast cereals and eggs in different styles, among others.

John Jefferis has established his career around developing great hotels along the Caribbean.

From John Jefferis

Lunch in or out?

Tamara’s Terrace is a place to enjoy your lunch. It is a semi-outdoor venue of Mediterranean style, overlooking the pool, and with a magnificent view of the South Shore. You can stay a little longer at the Terrace in time for a warm afternoon drink.


Elegant dinner

An elegant dress code is fitting for an elegant restaurant as Café Coco. The Spanish-inspired design enhances your dining experience as you enjoy ambrosial cuisine and tasteful wines from different countries. All these come with a view over one of the best ocean scenes in Bermuda.

From John Jefferis

John Jefferis’ hotel has received recognition and awards for outstanding service and facilities. Visit www.cocoreef.com for more details.