Once upon a time, this city girl transformed into an Island Princess at the Fairmont Southampton in a not-so-faraway kingdom called Bermuda. The Fairmont Southampton family resort was any little princess’s dream come true: There were cozy accommodations for my family, a kiddie pool outfitted with a water slide, fantastic kids’ menus at every restaurant, daily programs at the Explorers Camp, a beach club with a water sports center and endless island adventure.
As soon as we checked in, my little sister and I were given beach buckets designed for building sand castles. It was beyond cool! Then this city girl kicked off her shoes and let her bare feet lead the way. These happy feet first ran down the hall to our connecting family rooms. It was Bermuda-ful and just right for my family with plenty of room for everyone. But best of all, waiting for me in my room was my very own Fairmont Southampton stuffed animal turtle and delicious beach-themed cookies. And best for mommy and daddy was the beautiful, ocean view greeting them right out the window. I got one look and was ready for action and exploration!
After grabbing my new beach bucket and hopping on the pink beach shuttle, my bare feet landed in the beautiful, pink sand at the resort’s private, oceanfront beach club. We got settled in our chaise lounges, ordered yummy frozen drinks (with cherries on top) and got the party started. I snorkeled, rowed a boat and borrowed different life-size floats (like dolphins and jet skis) to play with in the ocean. As the sparkling, turquoise ocean splashed my toes, I giggled with delight and ran in to play in the waves. I only paused to admire this most beautiful beach and visit the famous, neighboring Horseshoe Bay Beach where we made footprints in the sand and jumped in the waves.
After building a sandcastle, my happy, little feet landed at the pool. While some grown-ups chose to relax at the resort pool, I kept mommy busy going down the water-slide and splashing in the fountain at the kiddie pool. It was quite the scene. All the kids who were anyone were there. This became my favorite hangout. There was even a poolside restaurant, the Burger Bar at Wickets, so I could play while I waited to eat my yummy lunch. I swam like a mermaid and made lots of friends and never wanted to leave.
After my adventures I worked up an appetite so I got dressed in my fanciest dresses and put on my fancy shoes for our fancy dinners at the Ocean Club and the Waterlot Inn. By the time I got to dinner, though, I already kicked off my shoes to earn the island name my parents gave me, Island Princess Bare Feet. Everything in Bermuda is better without shoes—like pink sand, ocean water, boats, grass, and hotel carpet. For dining, the Fairmont Southampton could even please my particular palate and make mommy and daddy’s taste buds dance, too. Not an easy feat. They totally had it covered with 10 restaurants all right in the resort. Plus, kids under five like me and my little sister eat free and have a great menu. They had all my favorites: turtle-shaped pasta, mac and cheese, fish sticks and chicken fingers! Yum! The large variety of restaurants on property offered variety for Mommy and Daddy, too, like wagyu striploin and tropical ceviche, so they didn’t eat any pasta or mac at all!
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And while this little island princesses played all day, the grown-ups went to golf and spa. Mommy loved to unwind at the Willow Stream Spa. I asked her what the spa was and she said it was a magical place with for grown-ups to relax and rejuvenate. I will definitely visit when I am old enough to go. We treated mommy to the Southampton Signature Massage and she said it was game-changing and everyone should be required to try. The full-body massage blended warm lava shells with Lotus Wei flower essences. Then, surrounded by illuminated seashells and beautiful aromas, she said she melted into the chair. I am so glad she came back!
Our family time in Bermuda was incredibly special. At the Fairmont Southampton, everything is family-friendly and it was great family fun. On property, I golfed at the Turtle Hill Golf Club and loved the turtle landscaping as much as the scenic course. And I enjoyed other special activities like movies at night, campfires and s’mores, and beach BBQs and parties! Off property, I visited turtles at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, got lost in the maze at the Bermuda Botanical Gardens, climbed up all 185 stairs to the top of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse (and the views were worth it!), danced with the Gombey dancers at Harbor Nights, purchased my first Alexandra Mosher pink sand jewelry, explored local crafts and much more.
Every day was Bermuda-ful and jam packed with endless enjoyment. I just wish we could stay forever!
To learn more about the Fairmont Southampton, visit fairmont.com/southampton-bermuda!
Elle Belle is an adorable toddler who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy, dapper dad, and baby sister. She can be reached at ellebellenyc@gmail.com.
