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Travel + Leisure
2 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Under-the-radar Bermuda Resort Has 4 Pools and a Private Beach on the Island's South Shore
Azura is set at the edge of a cliff, offering spectacular Atlantic vistas at almost every turn. The resort has a private beach and a saltwater infinity pool set right on the shore. A variety of accommodations are available to book, ranging from standard hotel rooms to spacious apartment-style suites with full kitchens and multiple bedrooms. The terrace pool bar makes a mean version of Bermuda's unofficial national cocktail, the rum swizzle: pineapple, orange, and cranberry juice, Angostura bitters, and two types of rum (including Bermuda's own Goslings, of course). I didn't anticipate that my first visit to Bermuda would force me to question my internalized idea of the color blue. There were simply so many shades of it when I visited in March—enough to make me feel like the English lexicon was not sufficient to describe all of them. I saw a vibrant greenish-blue that one might call cyan while boating out to the tiny rocky islets of Mangrove Bay, at the island group's western tip. I saw another in Crystal Cave, an underground complex of millions of years old limestone formations under a lake of still, clear water, which was an electric turquoise when illuminated by the lights under the floating boardwalk. And at Azura Bermuda, the clifftop resort, where I stayed during my long-weekend trip, I saw even more: cobalt, teal, cornflower, cerulean, ice, and everything in between. Regular visitors to Bermuda may remember Azura as the old Surf Side Beach Club, which closed in 2015. Much has changed on the property in the decade since, but the views of the Atlantic certainly have not. You can hardly walk without being stopped in your tracks by the expansive, all-encompassing blue. I stared at the ocean while eating breakfast on the sunny pool deck and during a yoga class on a breezy rooftop. My room, in a blazingly white, clean-lined building at the resort's western end, had a glass wall looking directly out to the waves. From most vantage points in the bedroom, all I could see was sky and bright-turquoise water dotted with Bermuda's distinctive barrel reefs. The first phase of Azura went quietly online in 2020, its grand opening waylaid by the pandemic. But the resort continued to expand in phases, with a collection of modern cottages and three new buildings unveiled in the several years since. The vibe around the property is relaxed and residential. To create a more stable and sustainable model in a place with very high operating costs, Azura was envisioned as a condominium-style resort, and accommodations are individually owned. Residents must leave a suite or a room—which can be seamlessly separated from the rest of the residence, becoming indistinguishable from a standard hotel room—available for booking on a regular basis. In addition to the bright, modern design and secluded atmosphere, one of Azura's greatest assets is its prime location in Warwick Parish, along a central stretch of Bermuda's South Shore. It's just a 15-minute drive to Hamilton, the capital, and some of Bermuda's best spots for swimming and sunning, like Elbow Beach, Jobson's Cove, and the famous Horseshoe Bay. However, I preferred to stay at Azura's own private beach, which has a serene saltwater pool set at the bottom of the cliff. I lingered there for hours every day, looking out at an expanse of sea that blended from aquamarine to sapphire, and a wide, blue sky, powdery and silvery at the edges. The view inspired me to come up with new names to describe the shades of blue I didn't know, but eventually, I decided that some things can't be put into words. Keep reading for an overview of all the offerings at Azura. Azura's 60 rooms and suites are spread across a series of clifftop buildings, the oldest of which are from the renovated Surf Side. Clustered around the main pool, they reflect a more classic Bermudian style, complete with the iconic stepped roofs (which help collect rainwater) common in the country's vernacular architecture. The three newer buildings have a more contemporary look. However, the interiors are fresh and sunny, no matter where you're staying, clad in a palette of bright white and blond wood with subtle pops of color, usually blue. A final construction phase, anticipated to be completed in 2026, will add 20 additional rooms. I stayed in an Oceanfront Guest Room, a room category that offers unobstructed ocean views; other guest rooms also have ocean views, though less direct. There are one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, which include washers and dryers, as well as fully equipped kitchens. Oceanfront Jacuzzi Suites, the highest category, have larger terraces complete with hot tubs and run up to 2,500 square feet. Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at SURF. Azura's new main restaurant, SURF, is designed as an homage to the spirit of old Surf Side. Opened in late 2024, the intimate, thoughtfully designed space offers a wide view of the water and features works by local artists, including Chris Duperreault, who creates gyotaku prints using whole fish he catches himself. The surf and turf dinner menu is united by a running Mediterranean theme, seen in dishes like charred octopus and Moroccan lamb meatballs. The restaurant also hosts monthly wine dinners and occasional pop-ups. Al fresco seaside dining at AZURA Restaurant & Bar. The main pool terrace also includes Azura Restaurant & Bar, which offers fairly classic resort fare for breakfast and lunch (avocado toast, crudo, sandwiches, pasta) as well as cocktails. During the summer season, the outdoor tables are also available for dinner. Another bar in the beach area, next to the saltwater pool, serves beer and wine. The Best Times of Year to Visit Bermuda The Best Bermuda Beaches Azura has a secluded private beach and four swimming pools, including the beach-level saltwater pool, fed directly from the Atlantic. On the walk down to the beach from the lobby, a series of sandy platforms are set up with lounge chairs that look over the water. There is also a main pool by the lobby; a rooftop pool and an adjacent infrared sauna; a smaller pool in a quiet corner near the gym that you're likely to have all to yourself. The small fitness center has weights and cardio machines (including a Peloton bike). Ocean-view rooftop yoga classes are offered up to six times a week, depending on the season. The hotel's concierge can help arrange island activities, such as guided tours, golf, tennis, and water activities like boat rentals, fishing, or snorkeling. There is no dedicated spa, but one hotel suite is set aside for treatments. In-room massages are also available. Currently, the resort does not have guest rooms designed for guests using wheelchairs and other assistive devices; however, four will be added during the final stage of construction, which is slated for completion in 2026. Contact the resort directly to discuss your specific needs. The lobby, main pool, and outdoor dining space are all accessible. Buildings in Bermuda must be designed to catch and store rainwater, and Azura is no different—in fact, water harvesting provides all the water for the hotel, including both guest rooms and public spaces. Aerial view of the beach and Ocean Pool. Azura is located in the middle of Bermuda's South Shore, about a 25-minute drive from the only commercial airport, L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA). At just over 20 square miles, the country is quite small, so most sites can be reached within about half an hour. It is possible to rent a car in Bermuda, but tourists can only book mini electric vehicles that seat a maximum of two people. Taxis are readily available and offer hourly rates if you wish to hire them for sightseeing. Although it's an associate member of the Caribbean Community, Bermuda is actually located in the North Atlantic and is closer to the tip of North Carolina than it is to the islands of the Caribbean. Nonstop flights to Bermuda are available from many major cities on the East Coast; most take between two and three hours. My flight from New York City touched down in around 90 minutes. The resort is not part of any loyalty program. Check its website for the latest offers and discounts. Nightly rates at Azura start from $629 for an Ocean View Room. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
A TSA officer sent me back to the airline check-in counter for a simple mistake. Here's how to avoid it
I travel regularly for my job as a travel writer. I've become a pro at navigating long security lines utilizing programs like TSA PreCheck, Clear, and even my frequent flier status. I was expecting to breeze through the TSA checkpoint as usual on a recent trip with my boyfriend, but things didn't go exactly as planned. I was traveling from Reno-Tahoe International Airport, which doesn't have Clear. I physically handed the officer my ID when I reached the booth at the front of the line. I watched him look at it several times, as he switched his gaze between the screen and my identification. Then he said, 'Your birthday is wrong. You'll have to go back to the check-in counter to get it fixed.' I was dumbfounded. My boyfriend purchased my ticket, and apparently, he'd misentered my birthday in the airline's booking system. Now, I would be unable to fly unless it was fixed, and my flight was about to board. The officer handed me a laminated card and said I could use it to cut to the front of the line once the issue was fixed. It was a busy travel day, and there was a short line at the check-in counter. It only took the agent a few seconds to make the change, and I quickly walked-trotted back to security. I felt a little sheepish using the card to claim a spot at the front of the line, but I was short on time. Luckily, no one around me seemed to mind. I made my flight, but I was lucky. The incident has changed the way I fly. Since then, I've observed numerous passengers get turned away at the security booth because their birthday was incorrectly entered in the ticketing system. I always shoot them a look of sympathy as someone who has been there. Travel is stressful enough; don't let a tiny mistake ruin your plans. My airport mishap taught me a crucial lesson: When another party books your ticket, always double-check details like your birthdate before arriving at the airport.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Travelling Aussies issued driver's licence warning for often overlooked rule
Aussies travelling to one of the region's most popular destinations are being reminded to organise one simple bit of paperwork before they go, or risk getting into trouble when joining a common activity on the ground. Authorities in Bali have long been cracking down on tourists behaving badly and flouting certain rules. And the easiest way for travellers to find themselves in trouble is when jumping on a hire scooter or motorbike commonly used to get around the island. Most tourists are allowed to rent vehicles from local providers but police have been targeting travellers who don't comply with certain expectations and licensing laws. One Aussie traveller, who guys by Jetlag Nathan online, sought to remind others of the dangers after being targeted recently. "A police officer just pulled me over because he could tell I was a foreigner," he explained in an online video. "Now an Australian licence or your passport, if you show him that it doesn't mean you can drive here. You need to get an international licence ... that is something to sort out before you come here." After racking up more than 50,000 views this month, many others shared similar stories with many sharing how police officers sought to solicit a bribe from them. "Found this out the hard way yesterday had to pay $100 AUD for no international license and no helmet," one person commented. Gary, the owner of Bali Legals which provides advice and legal services for travellers and expats in Indonesia, said there are several important factors to remember when visiting Bali. "You need a licence to ride a bike, you need an international licence, and travel insurance. That's it," he told Yahoo News recently. Despite seeming obvious, Gary, who has lived in Bali for more than 15 years, said it was often overlooked by tourists. "People just want to come and hop on a bike and they think it's easy," he said, but warned police do conduct "blitzes" on road rules where licences and insurance are examined. "A lot of people" don't do these simple things, he added. "People get on the bikes and think they can ride them with no experience." In Australia, a regular driver's licence only allows you to ride a scooter or motorbike in select states and territories. Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia are the only states that allow drivers to use certain scooters. In New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and NT, you are required to undergo specific training and have a separate bike licence. The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) is the only authorised body to sell International Driving Permits (IDP) in Australia, but they can be bought through your state's automotive club. In NSW, the NRMA is an authorised sales agent of the AAA. You'll need a current full Australian driver's licence, a passport-style photo and a completed application form. The cost is around $50. This can be done either online or at your local branch. The licences are used overseas for several reasons, including by local authorities to verify credentials, by car rental agencies, and insurance companies. NRMA warns Aussies to beware of fake and fraudulent websites and use only authorised distributors. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
