The Reefs hotel has been ranked the top resort in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Bahamas region for 2012 by Travel and Leisure magazine, with Rosewood Tucker’s Point 13th.The four-star Southampton resort now claims a place in the influential publication’s hall of fame after consistently being placed in its top 25 throughout the past decade.And it’s a double victory for owner David Dodwell, whose Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis Island took second place in the chart, which is based on reader surveys.While The Reefs is no stranger to awards, its latest success represents a dramatic climb up the Travel and Leisure rankings, from 23rd place in 2011. Its overall score of 92.71 is thought to make it one of the world’s top 100 hotels.Mr Dodwell told The Royal Gazette yesterday: “These are readers’ surveys; this is not a mystery shopper deciding this. That’s the gratifying thing here. To be number one and two in this whole region is, wow, it’s a real thrill.“I attribute it to the staff’s commitment, dedication and hard work, and the fact we are constantly trying to reinvent ourselves.“To some degree, we are lucky, because there’s lots of other great hotels and we’ve been fortunate enough to get a lot of people say nice things about us.”The former Tourism Minister said The Reefs owed much of its good fortune to its picturesque South Shore location and Bermuda’s relatively easy access from the United States.“It sounds like simple stuff, but to some of our guests who live in New York City or inland somewhere, it’s spectacular,” he said.The resort’s tagline of making people “feel perfectly at ease” also helps guests enjoy their stay to the maximum, he said.The Reefs was ranked number one hotel in the Atlantic region by Conde Nast Traveler in 2011.Tucker’s Point came seventh in the Travel and Leisure list two years ago and was on Conde Nast Traveler’s gold list last year.Reflecting on this year’s placing with Travel and Leisure, managing director Duncan Graham said: “We’re thrilled and honoured to be recognised by Travel and Leisure’s prestigious World’s Best Awards.“I’m so proud of the team we’ve built here since Rosewood began managing the resort and this recognition is a tribute to all they’ve accomplished.“It’s also fantastic for Bermuda as a whole and helps make us a magnet for the discerning traveller.”