The Loren at Pink Beach review: Contemporary luxury meets tropical island charm in Bermuda

When the sand is pink and the ocean turquoise, you know you're not in Kansas anymore. This is Bermuda, an island with beaches so pristine they meet even this Australian's high standards.

Bermuda style is on trend at the moment - this season saw the heroic comeback of Bermuda shorts on the Spring/Summer 19 catwalks of Prada and Tibi. But trends aside, the British island has got a reputation for style you can only experience first-hand. And it’s catching on.

According to the Bermuda Tourism Authority, 2018 was the second consecutive year of record-breaking numbers in visitors. And just a 90-minute flight from New York, it's little wonder the island is steadily becoming a Hamptons alternative for stylish East Coasters.

Where gelato-coloured cottages neighbour stately mansions and golf courses are the national backyard, Bermuda is Insta-porn for the island dweller that will leave those with a penchant for luxury feeling rather smug.

And there's few places on the island which do luxury better than The Loren at Pink Beach.

The lowdown

After opening in 2017 as the island’s first new-build hotel in 45 years, The Loren at Pink Beach is one of the few boutique hotels in Bermuda. And it oozes sex-appeal.

Built along a hillside on Bermuda’s southeast coast, The Loren was designed around a very special feature: Pink Beach. With all suites sweeping the contours of the coastline, guests have views of the Atlantic ocean at every turn.

Forgetting the 1980s golf resort aesthetic too often associated with Bermuda (pink and green colour palettes and tropical prints have no place here), The Loren's modern architecture prioritises sleek lines and natural light that gives space for neutral interiors and wooden textures.

Unlike the larger luxury hotel chains which dominate the island, The Loren has an exclusive selling point with just 45 suites.

As a consequence, the hotel offers a far more personalised experience, with an incredibly attentive staff to match.

The rooms

Whether you opt for an ocean balcony or garden terrace room, all suites include a furnished private terrace with views out to sea. If you’re travelling with an entourage, you can book The Residence; a private seven-bedroom mansion with its own beach, pool and tennis court.

We stayed in a Garden Terrace room, which offered a little extra privacy and is a lovely and spacious choice for couples. The room was beautifully appointed with a plush king-sized bed and furnishings fusing natural textures with a contemporary European aesthetic.

For me, the real ace card was the marble bathroom, equipped with a freestanding tub, walk-in rain shower and twin sinks, that presented an extra room for leisure with a light dimmer to suit the mood.

The best way to enjoy your room is to put on a robe, make a Nespresso (all rooms have a machine) and watch the ocean from your terrace lounge. Pure bliss.

The food

Priding itself on ‘sea-to-table’ cuisine, Bermuda is a foodie hotspot for fresh seafood with countless offerings at The Loren's two on-site restaurants.

For all-day dining, there’s The Pink Beach Club. With a laid-back al fresco setting, it's become a local favourite for long lunches and its three-course Sunday brunch menu. The signature crab cakes are especially delicious.

For a swankier alternative in the evening, the Marée Lounge’s elegant dining room and bar area offers delicious bites in a slick pool table and lounge area - think lobster spring rolls and tuna tacos.

Things to do

Bermuda isn't short of local gems to explore. To get a full grasp on just how golf-obsessed Bermuda is, the island has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the world. There are plenty of courses dotted around the hotel if you fancy a break from ocean exploring.

And if golf doesn't lure you, the snorkelling will. Horseshoe Bay is widely praised as one of the world’s top beaches and is a lovely escape for a swim and snorkelling. Another popular activity is to swim out to the old shipwreck off of Elbow Beach, where there's also plenty of marine life to spot.

Transport on the island can be unreliable so getting around is best done by renting scooters or using Hitch - Bermuda's Uber equivalent.

If relaxation is more your game, The Loren has got you covered. The hotel's Sisley Spa and fitness centre has four treatment rooms, a 24-hour gym and hair salon, offering everything from luxury facials to a ‘Golfer’s Massage’. My Signature Loren Massage was a divine tension-melting experience using warm salt stones from the Himalayan Mountains.

For a day of horizontal bliss you’ve got two stellar options – both the infinity pools and private beach have sunbeds, or if you really want to spoil yourself; hire a private poolside cabana. A small reef protecting the hotel's beach is another snorkelling spot right on your doorstep.

The seamless transition from sunbed, to ocean, to crab cake doesn't get more satisfying.

How sustainable is it?

All of The Loren’s water is collected on site, based on Bermuda’s 400-year-old roofing system. Due to the island’s lack of water resources, Bermuda’s signature white stepped roofs are designed to conserve rainwater that gets stored in tanks underground. In addition, The Loren’s food mission is based on seasonality, sustainability and, when possible, local, with a zero-waste approach to ingredients.

Rates for The Loren at Pink Peach start from $510 US dollars per night for a Garden Terrace