Bermuda Trip Report
Jul 20th, 2004, 05:48 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bermuda Trip Report
Hi everyone- after SO many questions to you about Bermuda, I thought I would share my trip experience. First of all, as many of you might guess would happen, we fell in LOVE with Bermuda. It is so beautiful, words do not do it justice. I have never seen water that blue.
The people of the island are wonderful--so friendly, so helpful and so polite. I felt very welcomed there.
We stayed at the Farimont Southampton and we really loved it. The number one plus was the service there. Everyone was wonderful. People went out of their way to help. The front desk staff was SO gracious and helpful. We would run into staff during our stay who always remembered our names and were so nice. Although most of the rooms are not Four Seasons quality, they were large and fine and the views were spectacular. (we were upgraded to an oceanfront room and then later upgraded to one of their premier suites- which WAS 5 star quality).
As for food, well, I was a littled disppointed, but I was prepared for good not great, so that was OK. We ate dinner at whaler Inn- which was good, but a little too casual for us; waterlot- very good; La Coquille- I didn't like it, and Coconuts-the food to me at coconuts was average but the view- dinner on the beach, not to be missed! My H and I are foodies, so we might be pickier than most. No meal was horrendous. I wanted to go to Aqua, but someone convimced us to go to La coquille instead- which I completely regret.
BTW, we had lunch at the Fairmont hamilton in their bar area- which is lovely- and that was the best meal we had on the island next to waterlot.
we spent our days on the beach or at the spa doing lots of nothing. I am usually a pool person, but I couldn't get enough of the beautiful Bermuda beaches. I thought the trolley system that the FS has would bother me, but it was so effficient it really didn't.
To answer some questions others readers and I had , although some people don't like the huge resort feel of the FS, we preferred it. we like to have all the ameneties at our reach as well as that beaufitul spa. also, for readers who don't want to be surrounded by kids, the kids generally tended to be by the main pool, which we avoided. we were either at the beach or the spa pool, which were wonderful and relaxing.LOVED taking walks through horseshoe Bay.
Oh, and BTW, weather.com said rain for everyday we would be there and it rained for exactly 3 minutes one day when we were in hamilton. Otherwise it was beautiful!
Thank you to everyone for your help, especially ElaineSB and 1scs1.
The people of the island are wonderful--so friendly, so helpful and so polite. I felt very welcomed there.
We stayed at the Farimont Southampton and we really loved it. The number one plus was the service there. Everyone was wonderful. People went out of their way to help. The front desk staff was SO gracious and helpful. We would run into staff during our stay who always remembered our names and were so nice. Although most of the rooms are not Four Seasons quality, they were large and fine and the views were spectacular. (we were upgraded to an oceanfront room and then later upgraded to one of their premier suites- which WAS 5 star quality).
As for food, well, I was a littled disppointed, but I was prepared for good not great, so that was OK. We ate dinner at whaler Inn- which was good, but a little too casual for us; waterlot- very good; La Coquille- I didn't like it, and Coconuts-the food to me at coconuts was average but the view- dinner on the beach, not to be missed! My H and I are foodies, so we might be pickier than most. No meal was horrendous. I wanted to go to Aqua, but someone convimced us to go to La coquille instead- which I completely regret.
BTW, we had lunch at the Fairmont hamilton in their bar area- which is lovely- and that was the best meal we had on the island next to waterlot.
we spent our days on the beach or at the spa doing lots of nothing. I am usually a pool person, but I couldn't get enough of the beautiful Bermuda beaches. I thought the trolley system that the FS has would bother me, but it was so effficient it really didn't.
To answer some questions others readers and I had , although some people don't like the huge resort feel of the FS, we preferred it. we like to have all the ameneties at our reach as well as that beaufitul spa. also, for readers who don't want to be surrounded by kids, the kids generally tended to be by the main pool, which we avoided. we were either at the beach or the spa pool, which were wonderful and relaxing.LOVED taking walks through horseshoe Bay.
Oh, and BTW, weather.com said rain for everyday we would be there and it rained for exactly 3 minutes one day when we were in hamilton. Otherwise it was beautiful!
Thank you to everyone for your help, especially ElaineSB and 1scs1.
Jul 21st, 2004, 08:06 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 729
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for sharing! Bermuda is one of my favorite places. It really is a little gem! I was going to go back to La Coquille, its been a number of years since we had lunch there, never dinner. Now its off my list. Yes, Aqua is great, so is Frescos. We are Foodies too, and Bermuda has had fine dining for years. Actually we are off to the island tomorrow!
Jul 21st, 2004, 10:18 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm so glad that you had a wonderful time in Bermuda! It is an absolutely beautiful place. Also glad you like the Southampton - it must have been so nice in the premier suite. Thanks for the trip report!
Jul 21st, 2004, 04:53 PM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm staying in a club floor suite at the Fairmont Southampton this week, so I was interested to read your report.
I'd add the following comments:
I think Bermuda's big positives are its multi-hued waters (which are 82-84 degrees this week), very nice/soft beaches, lush enough to be green and pretty though not like St. John or St. Lucia, people are very nice in general (though more reserved than some places, I don't think that should be construed as snobbiness as some people have suggested), people I've met seem very polite and educated relative to many of the Caribbean islands, crime fcator is minimal, standard of living is quite high comparatively.
The food is generally good but not memorable anyplace I've been.
The Fairmont Southampton is a well run hotel, and rooms are nicer than a typical Hyatt or Marriott. Not in the same league as a typical Four Seasons. Very much overpiced for the quality IMO. My room is paid for, but a standard club level room (with tax) this week is almost $700. Not out of line with great resorts of the Caribbean, but the rooms aren't as nice as some of my favorites in the Caribbean. On the other hand, the resort offers a lot of amenities that some of the best Caribbean resorts don't offer (nice golf course, for one).
I'd add the following comments:
I think Bermuda's big positives are its multi-hued waters (which are 82-84 degrees this week), very nice/soft beaches, lush enough to be green and pretty though not like St. John or St. Lucia, people are very nice in general (though more reserved than some places, I don't think that should be construed as snobbiness as some people have suggested), people I've met seem very polite and educated relative to many of the Caribbean islands, crime fcator is minimal, standard of living is quite high comparatively.
The food is generally good but not memorable anyplace I've been.
The Fairmont Southampton is a well run hotel, and rooms are nicer than a typical Hyatt or Marriott. Not in the same league as a typical Four Seasons. Very much overpiced for the quality IMO. My room is paid for, but a standard club level room (with tax) this week is almost $700. Not out of line with great resorts of the Caribbean, but the rooms aren't as nice as some of my favorites in the Caribbean. On the other hand, the resort offers a lot of amenities that some of the best Caribbean resorts don't offer (nice golf course, for one).
Jul 23rd, 2004, 05:19 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have to say what did suprise me was that you had to pay for drinks on the club level. We've stayed at other club levels and drinks were always complimentary. I think for the extra $100 per night you pay for club level, the drinks should be complimentary.
I agree with travlis about the pluses of Bermuda. I didn't find any of the people to be at all snobbish or even standoffish- people were friendly and helpful. I also agree that the rooms are overpriced, but so is everything in bermuda!
I didn't see the rooms at the Reefs, we just had dinner there, but from what we saw, I still think we would stay at the FS next trip b/c of all amenities the hotel had to offer.
I agree with travlis about the pluses of Bermuda. I didn't find any of the people to be at all snobbish or even standoffish- people were friendly and helpful. I also agree that the rooms are overpriced, but so is everything in bermuda!
I didn't see the rooms at the Reefs, we just had dinner there, but from what we saw, I still think we would stay at the FS next trip b/c of all amenities the hotel had to offer.
Jul 25th, 2004, 04:07 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mamby...just returned from Bermuda this afternoon. We were at the Fairmont Southampton from 7/16 thru 7/22 then switched to the Hamilton Princess thru today. We'd never stayed at the SHP before and it's now become our favorite. Don't even know if we'll switch over to the HP next year.
We had a room with a million dollar view overlooking the Great Sound. My cousin wanted to upgrade us, but I said with this view...was he kidding! We're really lucky as we get a discounted rate through him or we'd never be able to stay at the Fairmont properties.
My only complaint was too many misbehaving children...four of them were running through the Jasmine lounge at 10PM and one little girl doing cartwheels in the lobby. I wanted to say this is not a playground. Of course, the parents were oblivious. There were more kids at the pool then the beach which was fine with us...we went to the beach...only spent one early morning at the pool. We went to the indoor pool two evenings...not many people and the views were fantastic.
Most of my trip was spent visiting with family and friends and just relaxing. There really is no other island as special as Bermuda and I'm glad you fell in love with her. I always say, the best day of my vacation is arriving at the Bermuda airport and the worst day of my vacation is arriving at the Bermuda airport and today was that awful day for the trip back to the States. Right now I'm just depressed to be back
If you're interested, I'll post a list of places we ate later in the week...although we really didn't do anything too big this trip.
We had a room with a million dollar view overlooking the Great Sound. My cousin wanted to upgrade us, but I said with this view...was he kidding! We're really lucky as we get a discounted rate through him or we'd never be able to stay at the Fairmont properties.
My only complaint was too many misbehaving children...four of them were running through the Jasmine lounge at 10PM and one little girl doing cartwheels in the lobby. I wanted to say this is not a playground. Of course, the parents were oblivious. There were more kids at the pool then the beach which was fine with us...we went to the beach...only spent one early morning at the pool. We went to the indoor pool two evenings...not many people and the views were fantastic.
Most of my trip was spent visiting with family and friends and just relaxing. There really is no other island as special as Bermuda and I'm glad you fell in love with her. I always say, the best day of my vacation is arriving at the Bermuda airport and the worst day of my vacation is arriving at the Bermuda airport and today was that awful day for the trip back to the States. Right now I'm just depressed to be back
If you're interested, I'll post a list of places we ate later in the week...although we really didn't do anything too big this trip.
Jul 26th, 2004, 03:45 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ElaineSB- so glad you had a great time. I think it is so great that everyone in this site is so helpful. It is so funny as well that we probably passed eachother a dozen times in the lobby or at the beach.
I do agree with you re the kids- that's why arfter our first day there at lunch at wickets, we said no pool, no wickets for the rest of the trip- not to be a jerk, but we don't have kids yet and still want peace and quiet while on vacation.
Would love to hear your restaurant reports for future reference.
I do agree with you re the kids- that's why arfter our first day there at lunch at wickets, we said no pool, no wickets for the rest of the trip- not to be a jerk, but we don't have kids yet and still want peace and quiet while on vacation.
Would love to hear your restaurant reports for future reference.
Jul 28th, 2004, 05:59 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mamby...here's a not so brief run down of places we ate and a few things we did. Mainly just relaxed this trip.
Day 1...Cousin picked us up at airport to drive us to Fairmont Southampton. Wickets for lunch $66 for 3. Beach. Went to Happy Hour at the HP at night, a young cousin took us to Paget Ice Queen for take out (we just wanted to get back to the room & crash). The cost was $21 for 2 cheeseburgers, 2 orders of dries, 1 order of hot wings and 3 drinks. Now you can't beat that price in Bermuda! Also the food was very good. There is also a branch in Hamilton.
Day 2...Wickets for breakfast...$69 for 3. Beach. Tio Pepi's for dinner. The three of us agreed it was the best Fettuccini Alfredo (with mushrooms) any of us have ever had anywhere...$70 for 3. We didn't have a reservation but went early with no problem, however, others arriving from the hotel were turned away. Place is small and fills up fast. We ate outside overlooking South Rd.
Day 3...Sunday Brunch at Windows on the Sound...excellent and I finally got to have Cassava Pie which I haven't had since I was a child...yummy along with my codfish and potatoes. Price was $22 per person plus 15% tip. Went to Smatt's in town to get our scooters. Drove to White's supermarket on Middle Rd in Warwick for breakfast foods and munchies. At night family & friends came to visit...we ordered pizza from 4 star and then we all converged on the Jasmine lounge for drinks
Day 4...visited my girlfriend and her husband at Dockyard...had lunch on their boat. Drove in to Hamilton & had dinner on the balcony at Flanagans. Cost for 3...$68.
Day 5. Beach...Hamilton, then dinner at Whaler Inn...gorgeous evening, watched the sun go down...dinner for three was $149...swim at night at the indoor pool.
Day 6...Went to Gibbs Hill for photo op, then back to hotel...friend picked us up to go to St. Catherine's beach in St. George. Tobacco Bay was mobbed with boat people, not as many at St. Catherine's. There's a DJ spinning tunes, bathrooms and a lunch stand where we grabbed 2 chicken sandwiches and 2 orders of chicken fingers. All came with fries...cost approx. $14/pp. At night, my cousins picked us up, went into Hamilton as it was Harbour Nights which none of us did (have done it numberous times before), we were all starving and most places were at least an hour wait...ended up at Spring Gardens (Bahamian food) in Washington Mall. Four of us had curried chicken with rice and beans...one had pasta. Don't know how much bill was as we didn't pay! After my oldest went with young cousin to Flanagans & Docksiders while we went back to hotel for swim at indoor pool.
Day 7...checked out of Southampton and into Hamilton Princess. Had lunch at Monty's on Pitts Bay Rd...$40 for 3. A swim in the salt water pool, then another cousin picked us up to take us to a cookout at his home on Langdon Hill.
Day 8...Biked out to the Perfumery in Bailey's Bay, then drove up to Somerset to ride the railroad trail there. Stopped at the Fairmont Southampton for refreshments at Jasmine Lounge with cousins. Lunch at Harley's on the terrance. At night, met up with more family for Happy Hour at the HP. Then 4 of us went to La Trattoria for dinner.
Day 9...Shopping in Hamilton, beach in afternoon...it poured while we were there...most people ran for cover...why, you're already wet! It was warmer in the water then standing in the rain A friend came over at night and we walked to Portofino for dinner. Always get their Fettuccini Portofino...great. More friends stopped by the hotel as it was our last night...bummer.
Day 10...breakfast on the terrace at Harley's...check out and then my cousin drove us to airport...not a happy time for any of us As usual...I can't wait to return.
Day 1...Cousin picked us up at airport to drive us to Fairmont Southampton. Wickets for lunch $66 for 3. Beach. Went to Happy Hour at the HP at night, a young cousin took us to Paget Ice Queen for take out (we just wanted to get back to the room & crash). The cost was $21 for 2 cheeseburgers, 2 orders of dries, 1 order of hot wings and 3 drinks. Now you can't beat that price in Bermuda! Also the food was very good. There is also a branch in Hamilton.
Day 2...Wickets for breakfast...$69 for 3. Beach. Tio Pepi's for dinner. The three of us agreed it was the best Fettuccini Alfredo (with mushrooms) any of us have ever had anywhere...$70 for 3. We didn't have a reservation but went early with no problem, however, others arriving from the hotel were turned away. Place is small and fills up fast. We ate outside overlooking South Rd.
Day 3...Sunday Brunch at Windows on the Sound...excellent and I finally got to have Cassava Pie which I haven't had since I was a child...yummy along with my codfish and potatoes. Price was $22 per person plus 15% tip. Went to Smatt's in town to get our scooters. Drove to White's supermarket on Middle Rd in Warwick for breakfast foods and munchies. At night family & friends came to visit...we ordered pizza from 4 star and then we all converged on the Jasmine lounge for drinks
Day 4...visited my girlfriend and her husband at Dockyard...had lunch on their boat. Drove in to Hamilton & had dinner on the balcony at Flanagans. Cost for 3...$68.
Day 5. Beach...Hamilton, then dinner at Whaler Inn...gorgeous evening, watched the sun go down...dinner for three was $149...swim at night at the indoor pool.
Day 6...Went to Gibbs Hill for photo op, then back to hotel...friend picked us up to go to St. Catherine's beach in St. George. Tobacco Bay was mobbed with boat people, not as many at St. Catherine's. There's a DJ spinning tunes, bathrooms and a lunch stand where we grabbed 2 chicken sandwiches and 2 orders of chicken fingers. All came with fries...cost approx. $14/pp. At night, my cousins picked us up, went into Hamilton as it was Harbour Nights which none of us did (have done it numberous times before), we were all starving and most places were at least an hour wait...ended up at Spring Gardens (Bahamian food) in Washington Mall. Four of us had curried chicken with rice and beans...one had pasta. Don't know how much bill was as we didn't pay! After my oldest went with young cousin to Flanagans & Docksiders while we went back to hotel for swim at indoor pool.
Day 7...checked out of Southampton and into Hamilton Princess. Had lunch at Monty's on Pitts Bay Rd...$40 for 3. A swim in the salt water pool, then another cousin picked us up to take us to a cookout at his home on Langdon Hill.
Day 8...Biked out to the Perfumery in Bailey's Bay, then drove up to Somerset to ride the railroad trail there. Stopped at the Fairmont Southampton for refreshments at Jasmine Lounge with cousins. Lunch at Harley's on the terrance. At night, met up with more family for Happy Hour at the HP. Then 4 of us went to La Trattoria for dinner.
Day 9...Shopping in Hamilton, beach in afternoon...it poured while we were there...most people ran for cover...why, you're already wet! It was warmer in the water then standing in the rain
A friend came over at night and we walked to Portofino for dinner. Always get their Fettuccini Portofino...great. More friends stopped by the hotel as it was our last night...bummer.Day 10...breakfast on the terrace at Harley's...check out and then my cousin drove us to airport...not a happy time for any of us
As usual...I can't wait to return.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Callaloo
Caribbean Islands
14
Nov 29th, 2008 01:01 PM
