And the Award Goes To...

Break out the tuxedos and roll out the red carpet because it’s time to hand out a pair of awards—and not just from little old me. Last week Bermuda was named the top island in the Atlantic and Caribbean by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler ahead of verdant St. John, ritzy St. Barts, and the luxurious British Virigin Islands. Even the isles further down the list are contenders for number one: Turks and Caicos with its stunning white sand beaches, St. Lucia with its mighty volcanic peaks, and rollicking Nevis, home of Sunshine’s Beach Bar and the potent Killer Bee cocktail (Looking for a laid-back reggae beach party? Tell Sunshine I sent ya’). Equally high praises went to The Reefs in Southampton (see above; that's sunset from the hotel's patio). The beachfront hotel was voted the best resort in the Atlantic, a bit of a surprise considering two of Bermuda’s most-loved resorts—the Fairmont Southampton and Cambridge Beaches in Somerset—took eighth and tenth place on the list, respectively. But I imagine Condé Nast Traveler’s readers know a thing or two about a thing or two. After all, 25,000 readers can’t be wrong. That and The Reefs just spent millions of dollars renovating two of its three restaurants, building a brand new spa, and adding a fractional ownership wing featuring rooms with private balconies and a jaw-dropping ocean view infinity pool. So you’d like to visit the best island in the Atlantic and Caribbean, you say? And don’t want to spend a fortune? The Fairmont Southampton has rooms for $199 a night for stays through April 15, 2010 (for more go here). And the aforementioned Cambridge Beaches & Spa is offering a fourth night free for four-night stays through December 31, 2009. Considering the weather will be a balmy 70 degrees during winter, it’ll be a perfect time of year to pull out those golf clubs or hit the spa. Hmmm, with all that golf excitement last week I think it's time for a massage.