2012 Holiday schedule

The holidays at The Reefs are always a magical affair. Excitement fills the air as we put the finishing touches on our schedule of holiday activities. There's something to please everyone!

Bring an ornament to adorn The Reefs’ tree while singing along to carols during our Christmas Eve tree trimming party, toast marshmallows and sip hot cocoa at our beach bonfire and enjoy a special dinner Christmas Day.

Monday, December 24

10:30 a.m. – Lighthouse tour with Glenn or Clarkson. Meet at the front desk.
2:30 p.m. – Sail boat race with Glenn or Clarkston. Meet at The Reefs Club pool.
5:30 p.m. – Christmas cheer, tree trimming and egg nog in the lounge.

Tuesday, December 25

11 a.m. – Christmas egg nog drinks with Santa in the lounge.
12 to 3 p.m. – Christmas Brunch in Ocean Echo.

Wednesday, December 26

7:30 a.m. – Morning walk with Glenn or Clarkston. Meet at the front desk.
2 p.m. – Sand castle competition on the beach.
4:30 p.m. – Bingo with Glenn in the lounge.

Thursday, December 27

10:30 a.m. – Lighthouse tour with Glenn or Clarkston.
2 p.m. – Golf putting competition at the putting green at The Reefs Club.
5 p.m. – Blind wine tasting in the lounge.

Friday, December 28

7:30 a.m. – Morning walk with Glenn or Clarkston. Meet at the front desk.
2 p.m. – Golf chipping competition on the beach.
5 p.m. – Tour of hotel and wine tasting in the Wine Room. Meet at the front desk.
6 p.m. to 11 a.m. – Latin Night

Saturday, December 29

10:30 a.m. – Lighthouse tour with Glenn or Clarkston. Meet at the front desk.
2 p.m. – Cocktail competition in the lounge.

Sunday, December 30

4:30 p.m. – Bingo with Glenn in the lounge.

Monday, December 31

8 a.m. – Cool Dip with David Jr. on the beach. Meet at the beach — we provide towels and coffee and a little courage if needed!
2 p.m. – Pool competition in the Club house at The Reefs Club.
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Wine, champagne cocktails and canapés in the lounge.
7:30 to 10 p.m. – Special 5-course New Year's Eve Menu at Ocean Echo.
10 p.m. to 1 a.m. – Musical entertainment by Working Title
11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. – Cocktails in the lounge.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Year's Day Swim at the Beach.
11 a.m. – Bull Pups and Bloody Marys in the lounge.
2 p.m. to midnight – College Bowl games on big screen in the Wine Room.

Around the World in Five Wines

Take a journey around the world at our new International Wine Dinner Series.

The five-course wine pairing dinner starts off in the sunny climes of South Australia. We then jet quietly to the US to taste a rich Napa Valley Chardonnay. This is followed by a hop over to France to taste some aromatic Alsace Riesling. Seatbelts are then firmly fastened as we head to Italy and taste a robust Nebbiolo. Finally arriving in Chile, we taste an exquisite late harvest Sauvignon Blanc. Petit fours & snifters of Hennessy V.S.O.P Cognac will then be served in the departure lounge, to cap off a truly magical night of food and wine.

This intimate affair is limited to only 40 guests, and includes a reception in the lounge before and after your dinner at Royston's. Our chefs will prepare all your meals right in front of you in at the show kitchen, while Gosling's very own wine aficionado showcases the perfect wine to accompany each dish.

Reservations & schedule

Seating for these dinners are limited to 40 guests and are $175 per person. Please make your reservation in advance by calling (441) 238-0222 or e-mailing FBCoord@TheReefs.bm.

• Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 7 p.m.

Menu

Australia

Hot & Cold Hors d'oeuvres
Greg Norman Sparkling Brut, Australia, Non-Vintage

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United States of America

Scallop "Feuillantine" Baby Fennel, Micro Herbs, Lemon Grass Cream Sauce
Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay, Napa Valley, USA, 2010

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France

Mussels en Croustade with Leeks and White Wine
Domaine Weinbach "Cuvee Theo" Riesling, Alsace, France, 2008

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Lemon and Ginger Sorbet in Limoncello

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Italy

Grilled Garlic and Coriander Marinated Lamb Loin
Pea and Mint Puree, Haricots Verts, Sambal Oelek Aioli
Angelo Gaja 'Sito Moresco' Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy, 2010

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Chile

Orange "Panna Cotta" Honey Roasted Fig
Errazuriz Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley, Chile, 2010

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Petit Fours

Hennessy V.S.O.P. Cognac
Coffee or Tea

Why exfoliate?

The benefits of exfoliation are endless and is the key to keeping your skin in tip-top condition.

The outer layer of your skin, the epidermis, is made up of 5 layers. Skin cells are produced in the bottom layer and travel to the top over a period of time to form what we see and feel on the surface. This process is called the skin cell renewal cycle.

At its peak, which is between the ages of 16-20, it takes a mere 14 days for the cells to renew themselves. Each year beyond the age of 20 you can add at least a day on to the cycle: at age 30, 24 days, age 40, 30 days and age 50, 44 days. The longer the cells take to get to the surface, the worse they look when they get there, especially if you don’t take good care of them along their journey!

When their life begins in the bottom layer of your skin the cells are like plump grapes; exposure to toxins internally and externally, UV light and the elements leaves them looking like shriveled raisins once they reach the surface.

This is where exfoliation comes in. By regularly sloughing off the dull, dead cells on the surface you stimulate your skin to produce new fresh cells in the bottom layer to enhance the skin cell renewal cycle. This also removes the barrier between the dead cells and more active cells. Even the best or most expensive products won’t work by simply sitting on top of dead cells.

Benefits of regular exfoliation

• Smoother 
• More hydrated
• Less fine lines and wrinkles
• Fewer blackheads
• Clearer complexion
• Simulate collagen production

Ways to exfoliate

There are two main options when it comes to exfoliation: physical exfoliation and peels.

Physical exfoliation utilizes particles to scrub away dead cells. When choosing a scrub it is important to choose the particles that are right for the job. Many exfoliating products contain inexpensive large particles that are too abrasive and can cause micro tears on the surface of your skin. Rather than the glowing complexion you are hoping for, you will have blotchy, irritated skin that is prone to breakouts and more susceptible to pigmentation.

Peels dissolve the surface cells and encourage the production of newer cells in the bottom layer of your skin. Some more effective peels will even open up pathways to the middle layers of the skin that allow post-peel products to penetrate deeper. A well formulated fruit peel is the most effect gentle exfoliation there is.

My advice: If you like to physically exfoliate, trade in your apricot, nut and plastic scrubs for gentle seaweed particles that will buff your skin to perfection with Skin Buff by Elemis. For a peel with acids that really work, try the Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Gel Mask by Elemis or the ever popular Papaya Enzyme Peel by Elemis.

Happy exfoliating!

The Reefs is Honored by Condé Nast Traveler Readers

Our most heartfelt gratitude to you, our loyal fans, and the other Condé Nast Traveler readers. In the Condé Nast Traveler 2012 Readers' Choice Awards announced this week, The Reefs was honored as the #1 resort in the Atlantic for the fourth year in a row.

The Reefs earned a total score of 95.1, earning a spot among the Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World.

A record 46,746 readers participated in the 25th annual survey, which ranks hotels based on rooms, service, food, location, design and activities.

While it is always nice to be recognized by the travel industry, our biggest joy comes from creating a memorable Bermuda vacation for our guests and welcoming you back to our pink sand beach home.

Thank you for your ongoing support. We hope to see you soon!

La Serena Spa Honored by Travel + Leisure

La Serena Spa at The Reefs has been recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the "World's Best Spas" for 2012.

In its debut on the prestigious World's Best Spas list, our intimate Bermuda spa is ranked No. 3 among the top five hotel spas in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas. With a score of 92.60, The Reefs was also the top-ranked Bermuda hotel spa.

For its annual World’s Best Spas award, Travel + Leisure readers evaluated hotel spas based on ambience, treatments, service and value. This is the second award for La Serena Spa this year.

You may view the awards online and in the October 2012 issue of the magazine.