Press releases

For the 14th consecutive year, The Reefs has been named among the Top 25 Hotels in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. The Reefs’ La Serena Spa also made its debut on the list, being named among the Top 10 Best Hotels Spas in the Caribbean.

The Reefs was the only Bermuda hotel and resort spa to be honoured in the 2011 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. The Reefs earned a score of 87.93, ranking No. 23 on the list. La Serena Spa earned a score of 92.94, ranking No. 6.

“To be consistently recognized for fourteen years by the discerning Travel + Leisure readers is truly an honour that we are extremely proud of,” says Nagma Walker, General Manager at The Reefs. “While The Reefs has continued to add services and amenities over the years, our dedication to providing exceptional service and a relaxing Bermuda vacation have remained the same.”

“I am also extremely proud of the leadership and staff at La Serena Spa who exemplify The Reefs’ personal service,” adds Ms. Walker. “The recognition by Travel + Leisure is well-deserved.”

The 2011 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards are online now at www.travelandleisure.com and will be in the August issue of the magazine available on newsstands July 22.

Travel + Leisure’s sixteenth annual awards are based upon the results of the World’s Best survey, which asks readers to rate their favourite hotels, cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, car-rental agencies, spas, tour operators and safari outfitters. Hotels are rated based on rooms, facilities, location, service, restaurant, food and value.

The Reefs President Mr. David Dodwell also owns Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis, which was recognized in the 2011 World’s Best Awards as the No. 1 hotel in the Caribbean for the second consecutive year.

Bermudian David Dodwell, a hotel industry veteran and owner of The Reefs in Bermuda and Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis, has just been named the 2010 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year – the highest professional honor given by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association. Recognized for his outstanding achievements at Nisbet Plantation, Dodwell received the award in front of an international audience of hospitality leaders and tourism officials at the 2011 Caribbean Marketplace in Jamaica.

Dodwell, who has more than four decades of hospitality career experience, was honored by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association for excellence in the areas of hotel operations, food and beverage, marketing, property maintenance, staff training and motivation as well as his commitment to the environment and the St. Kitts and Nevis community. He becomes the 33rd recipient of the distinguished golden conch shell and joins an elite list of the most accomplished hotel leaders in the Caribbean.

“I can think of no one who has earned this recognition more than (Dodwell) has,” stated Senator and the Honorable Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport. “He has made a tremendous difference in the hotel sector on St. Kitts and Nevis, and has contributed significantly across the region and in tourism everywhere.”

A graduate of the prestigious Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Dodwell purchased the 36-room Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in 1989. The resort is the Caribbean’s only historic plantation inn located on the beach. Under his leadership and with his dedication to providing exceptional personal service, Nisbet Plantation has gained international attention with many industry awards. In fact, both of Dodwell’s properties have recently earned #1 spots on prestigious lists – Nisbet Plantation debuted on the 2011 Travel + Leisure 500 as the #1 hotel in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas, and The Reefs was the #1 hotel in the Atlantic in the 2010 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for the second year in a row.

During the economic downturn, many hotels were reducing amenities. However, Nisbet Plantation expanded its offerings to include scooters, kayaks, sailboats, Flip digital video cameras, complimentary Wi-Fi and more. Dodwell was also recognized for his focus on the staff and Nevis community.

“David has been extremely proactive in his support and development of the people of Nevis. He is a big believer in investing in his team,” comments Jamie Holmes, General Manager of Nisbet Plantation Beach Club. His standout efforts have also included cross-training the Nisbet Plantation staff at The Reefs in Bermuda, involving the team in decision-making and promoting the local economy by employing Nevisians, utilizing local produce and seafood, and adopting a local primary school.

Mr. Dodwell is actively involved in community service and promoting tourism both on Nevis and Bermuda. He is a Member of the Resort Committee of the American Hospitality & Lodging Association, and has served as President of the Bermuda Hotel Association and Bermuda’s Minister of Tourism among many other leadership roles.

The Reefs Hotel & Club has appointed Nagma Walker to the new position of Resort Manager, overseeing the daily operations of both the acclaimed hotel and new private residence club.

A seasoned hospitality management professional, Nagma joined the property in April 2009 as General Manager of The Reefs Club which opened in July 2009. In that role, she managed The Club's daily operations, services and staff as well as established relationships with owners and guests to ensure a high level of satisfaction. Prior to joining The Reefs Hotel & Club, Nagma served as the General Manager of the Ariel Sands Hotel and Beach Club also on Bermuda.

"With The Club now open and sharing many amenities and services with the hotel, we felt it was important to create a management position to oversee both entities," says Ben Tutt, Managing Director of The Reefs Hotel & Club. "Nagma's dedication to customer satisfaction, keen eye for detail and focus on quality makes her well-suited for the position."

"I'm excited to work more closely with the hotel staff and guests, while continuing to be involved with The Club owners," comments Nagma Walker. "The Reefs Hotel and Club staff are truly world-class and represent the best of Bermuda."

Every room at the intimate 64-room hotel offers a private balcony and stunning ocean and sunset views. The Reefs Hotel & Club carries these views into every bedroom and living room of every residence. For a limited time until all residences are sold, hotel guests may choose to rent a Club residence for a unique Bermuda vacation experience.

The Reefs, widely recognized as Bermuda's best hotel, celebrates the opening of its new La Serena Spa. Created by luxury hotel design firm Vision Design as part of the completion of the new Reefs Club, the new La Serena Spa offers guests a tranquil environment to connect with the ocean and experience total relaxation.

La Serena Spa calms guests with a unique bubbling water globe that opens through a moon gate into the stunning Relaxation Room, which offers endless views of the Atlantic Ocean. More than four times larger than before, the spa features eight treatment rooms, including two dedicated facial skin care rooms, a spa suite for dual massages, and a manicure/pedicure room offering guests spectacular ocean views. La Serena Spa also includes fully equipped men's and women's locker rooms with saunas. A new full-service menu features the luxurious Elemis of London products. This popular skincare line uses both a scientific and a natural formulation of ingredients that contain essential oils, medicinal use of herbs, natural botanicals and organic extracts.

"Unique to La Serena is its holistic approach, which is designed to help guests make the most of their experience here at The Reefs," says Nicolay Kreidler, Director of iSPAD and spa consultant for the new La Serena Spa.

Spa experiences can be enhanced with guided imagery and aromatherapy. With guided imagery, guests can choose from one of seven themes, including serenity, rejuvenating and healing, to meditate to before or after a treatment when their body is relaxed and their mind is more open to receiving messages. Guests can also choose from various island scents to customize their treatments.

"While the new spa is significantly larger, our focus is not on the masses but on the individual," says Sylvia Heinonen, Director of La Serena Spa at The Reefs. "Our team of therapists interacts with each guest to develop a tailored plan built around their style and needs for a truly unique experience."

"Guests have been delighted with the new La Serena Spa," says Ben Tutt, Managing Director of The Reefs. "La Serena perfectly complements The Reefs and The Reefs Club with a design to help our guests feel even more at ease and an approach that delivers exceptional personal service."

Special Spa and Golf Package

In celebration of La Serena Spa's opening and the upcoming PGA Grand Slam of Golf being held October 19 through 21 on Bermuda, The Reefs has announced a special offer for guests who stay five nights or more between now and December 26, 2009. With the Spa and Golf package, guests can choose to indulge in three complimentary 60-minute spa treatments, three complimentary rounds of golf at the nearby Belmont or Riddell's Bay golf courses, or any combination of the two.

The complete package includes ocean view accommodations and daily breakfast, afternoon tea and gourmet dinner. Daily rates start at $369 for a poolside room. The package is available in any room category, but not combinable with any other offer.

Due to the popularity of La Serena Spa with local Bermudians and Reefs Club Owners, guests are encouraged to make appointments in advance of their trip to Bermuda. To schedule a spa visit, please call 1-441-239-0184.