darien52

Just wanted to share that you need to be extra careful when renting a cottage from bermudarentals.com. They are recommended by Fodors in the Bermuda '07 book. You will not get what you expected from the photos/descriptions. We rented a 2 bdrm cottage in Warwick that was filthy, filled with mold & mildew, had been recently robbed and looked nothing like the photos. Neither the cottage owner or rental agent did anything to help us and we were traveling with a 20 month old and I was 7 mos pregnant. We even spoke 3x with the Director of Tourism for Bermuda who tried to help but could not. Just be extra careful...you will not get what you expected nor will you get your $ back. It left a very bad impression of Bermuda for us.

cmcfong

This comes as a total shock. I have rented from them several times and been very pleased. Have you discussed this with Fiona Campbell? If so what was her response? Please identify the cottage specifically, too.

SAnParis

& a first time poster as well...please give more detail...

Tuxedocat

That's terrible that you had to go through that disappointment. I think the problem probably extends from the fact that the agency is not on island. As I recall, they are in Canada or somewhere faraway like that so the booking agent probably could do very little about any problems occurring. IMO, an uncaring, uncooperative owner, is the beginning and end of your woes because noone else is going to be responsive if the owner is not willing to be responsible. We used bermudarentals.com and rented a 3 bedroom house in Somerset one year. It had it's own tiny pocket beach, great views and decent furnishings. It was also a very good price and in a nice quiet neighborhood. Villa rentals are seldom "hotel room" clean, but you should be able to expect a reasonably well-kept home. Unfortunately, most private homes and smaller inns suffer from mold and mildew in that climate. It's very difficult to keep up with it, as the owner (who lived in an adjoining unit but was rarely seen by us) explained. Even though he scrubbed routinely, there were still some vestiges. He was unobtrusive but willing to address any problems. Energy costs are extremely high on island so it's not going to be like a resort with lots of staff and round the clock airconditioning to combat the environment. I would suggest that anyone with special needs (20 month old and 7 mo's pregnant definitely qualifies for special needs and attention in my book) should make sure there is someone local who is accountable for any unexpected issues. That said, you can still be mislead. I think it's very important and helpful for you to alert travel forums such as this of your bad experiences, especially in identifying the specific villa because the owner's the problem. I hope your vacation wasn't a total loss.

darien52

We had such a nice vacation renting a 2bd ctge in Nantucket that we thought that it would be a good idea for a "babymoon" in Bermuda vs everyone in 1 hotel room. We rented the 2-bd Midway cottage in Warwick owned by the Mellos (ironically he works for the Dept of Health). We were very specific in our criteria & conditions with Fiona Campbell (owner of bermudarentals.com) and she highly recommended this cottage for us. The web photos & description looked very nice and Fodors recommended them so as newbies to Bermuda, we thought that we were ok. The "estate" was rundown with trash/broken pipes strewn throughout the yard, neighbors that blasted rap music at all hours, the tub that we specifically asked for when booking (to bathe our toddler) did not hold water (owner disconnected it for conservation), we had no hot water, no heat, the windows would not shut/lock and there were no curtains in the bedrooms for privacy. The owner told us that there was a "sneak thief" in the area and to take the highest precautions as he sneaks in windows day or night. Ironically, all three of us developed upper respiratory infections that led to bronchitis, which the Dr attributed to the exposure to black mold. I sent photos of the conditions directly to the Director of Tourism. He visited the cottage, had them change/update things but Ms. Campbell did nothing to help us remedy the situation. We just don't want anyone else to fall for this trap.

Tuxedocat

WOW! That is horrible! I don't think anyone on the Fodor's board will be recommending that place any more. I can't believe the owner didn't refund at least part of your rental. Absolutely disgusting... and a little 20 month baby subjected to that. It's a tale I won't soon forget. Thanks for caring enough to warn off others.

cmcfong

Hsving previously recommended Ms Campbell's firm in the past, I am very distressed to read your account. I have not been able to identify which property you rented. Could you specify by code number which property it was? Thank you.

darien52

The cottage we rented was: www.bermudarentals.com Enter #C25

Tuxedocat

I just took a look at that cottage and I am astounded that it should be lovingly described as freshly painted and renovated, etc., that the garden club wants to include it on its tour! They should include it on its tour alright...tour of misleading and mishandled. The Campbells need to investigate this incident. I see that they proffer themselves as agents for rentals all over the globe. An agency looses a great deal of credibility (and should) when they refuse to take action (i.e. seek refunds (at least partial) or arranging for alternative accommodations). They should also tighten up their agreements with the owner(s)to enforce responsibility. Afterall, their reputations are on the line. Lastly, poorly maintained or unresponsive owners should be removed from their roster. Of course, that's just my opinion...

whitallen

We have reserveded a property with bermudarentals.com in Sandys Parish for May. For those with good or bad experiences, how long ago did you you use this firm?

Do you have any recommendations for moderately priced properties on the island?

cmcfong

It has been over two years since I last rented from bermudarentals.com My experiences have been good and I am most disappointed to read darien's account. I am also disappointed that Ms Campbell has not addressed her concerns.
Moderate cost alternatives are Salt Kettle House, Greene's Cottages, Watercolours, Rosemont, Granaway. There are listings of most tourist properties and rates at www.bermudatourism.com

Tuxedocat

We used bermudarentals also a while ago, maybe four years? I would suggest that if you are interested in any particular rental, you should ask the agent when was the last time they had reviewed/inspected the property. What recourse you have should you run into a problem.

darien52

We rented the 2bd cottage in Warwick from bermudarentals.com from March 22-28th, 2007. I agree that you need to make sure that what the location/apmt descriptions/photos list are true and what will happen if you have a problem upon arrival or during your stay. I personally would never rent from them again since Ms. Campbell did not respond, offer a solution nor did she apologize. But you may have better luck than we did. Remember, this website is a marketing tool and Ms. Campbell is going to show the best angles for the photos and gushy descriptions that make the properties sell. (I know this b/c I used to be Dir. of Marketing for a major hotel chain) The photos at our rental were about 20% true to life.

clarson

Thank you so much for reporting your distressing experience with bermudarentals.com. I had been researching some of their properties for an upcoming trip but will rethink that now. While I'm afraid that your unhappy living conditions may understandably have colored your opinion of Bermuda, I do hope that you will be able to go back some day and have a proper visit. It is such a lovely island - one of my family's favorite places on earth! There are many nice places to stay. You and your family deserve another go at it.

cmcfong

clarson, did you see my response on Watercolours?

clarson

Hi cmcfong -

I did see your response to Watercolours. Many thanks. We are still considering the Rosedon...but don't know if we want to be in Hamilton. Although it would be convenient to restaurants. We'll keep you posted. Thanks for your help.

cmcfong

Great, clarson. The Rosedon is very nice. Have a great trip and be sure to post a trip report. Always good to see what's new in Bermuda.

bermuda_rentals

It is disappointing to read these reviews on the Fodor’s message board as Bermuda Rentals has been sending hundreds of visitors to Bermuda annually for over 16 years now.

It is important to note that this client never once made a complaint to the homeowners who lived on the property and were available daily for the entire duration of their trip, nor did she place a call to myself, Fiona Campbell, which would have permitted us a chance to move her to a more satisfactory location.

Bermuda is an island which has an ongoing mildew problem which is addressed by either keeping windows open whenever one is in occupation, or using the air conditioner as a dehumidifier. Having grown up in Bermuda, I am well aware of the humidity issues many guests experience. In this climate moisture is a fact of life and does not indicate filth, simply a need for air conditioning to be switched back on or the windows opened.

The point should also be made in regards to Ms. Mello for warning guests that an opportunistic thief was operating in the neighbourhood. It would have been reprehensible for her not to have done so.

The company does in fact have representation on the island. Anyone who wishes reference and recommendations concerning this or any of the other 40 properties we represent has only to email Fiona at [email protected] for references.
There are occasions when things just do not go well and for this we are truly sorry. We make every effort to satisfy our customers, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Fiona T Campbell
[email protected]

cmcfong

I personally have had good experiences with bermudarentals.com and am very glad to see Ms. Campbell's response.

joan

I too am glad to see the representative respond here.

I understand about mildew.
I understand about the warnings regarding a thief in the neighborhood.

But what about the no-hot-water, no heat, and no tub? Don't you think the renter deserves some compensation for this lack of promised amenities?