anna191

I will be heading to Bermuda for long weekend and wanted to get some input on these 3 properties. I have stayed at the Fairmont Hamilton many years ago but have never stayed at the Grotto or Coco reef. I am looking for a nice hotel preferably ocean front. I would also love any suggestions for any great restaurants. I haven't been to Bermuda in almost 10 years and would love to try some great new places. Thanks.

cmcfong

Hi Anna,
Of the three Coco Reef would be my choice. I prefer small properties. I have never found Grotto Bay appealing and I prefer Coco's location. The beach is not great, but you can walk next door to Elbow which has good beaches and some good restaurants. Since you prefer oceanfront, some other options would be The Reefs, Ariel Sands, Pink Beach Club and Surfside.

I am going to top a thread on restaurants.

Have a wonderful time. Bermuda is a very special place.

anna191

Thanks for the feedback. Because I am booking a vacation in the next few weeks there is very limited availability with hotels. It seems like Grotto, Coco and Hamilton are really the best ones that are available. I also was given the choice of 9 Beaches and Surfside but didn't know enough about those hotels. I have stayed at Elbow and the Hamilton about 10 years ago and loved both so it is quite hard to pick a place you don't know much about. I haven't heard too many things about Coco but it does have a good location.

cmcfong

Take a look at www.tripadvisor.com for some hotel reviews. 9 Beaches is definitely an acquired taste and doesn't work for a lot of people.
The Fairmont Gold Level is fine, but the regular rooms are pretty ordinary and you would have to take the ferry to Southhampton to use the hotel beach.
I think Surfside is a reasonably good choice. Public transportation is readily available, the rooms face the ocean, there is an on site restaurant which is OK, not great, and it is somewhat less expensive than many other beachfront properties. Again, take a look at the tripadvisor ratings they will give you some ideas.
I often stay at Fourways cottages. It is on Middle Road and has no ocean frontage and very limited harbor views. It is small (maybe 12 rooms) and has one spectacularly good restaurant on site. The rates include breakfast (which is elegantly delivered to your room...I reviewed it on ta if you are interested). I walk to the ferry to go shopping or out to dinner, ride my moped to the beach and am very happy there. Just another idea.

anna191

I will be heading to the Coco Reef next week and wanted to know if there were any suggestions on any great places to eat. It has been 7 years since I have been back and would love any ideas. Thanks.

cmcfong

Here are some great restaurants:
Fourways (Sunday brunch is !!!!)
Ascots (reserve even for lunch)
Bleu
Tom Moore's Tavern
Little Venice


For lunch: The Lemon Tree
Lighthouse Tea Room

Have a great trip!

anna191

We had a great dinner at Fourways our last visit to Bermuda. Does Tom Moore have a formal dress code and is it close to Coco Reef? Does anyone know which Swizzle Inn is closest to the resort? Thanks.

penny

Anna the new Swizzle inn on South Rd,
is the closest. Coco Reef is a good choice-they have a much better beach and location than The Grotto. We just got back a few weeks ago. We thought Bleu had the best seafood. We went back to The Waterloo this year and we were disappointed. The menu is limited--
for an exciting chef some of the quality
was disappointing. We also dined at
Coconuts at The Reef--great setting,
food was good. I understand their other
restaurant Ocean Terrace is outstanding
this season. Another spot we enjoy for
lunch is Henry VIII. If by chance you
are renting mopeds--do go to Mrs. Thomas
at Elbow Beach. She has a good fleet
of mopeds, and a good school for the novice. Have a wonderful trip!

cmcfong

Penny, tell us a bit more about Waterloo. The food was really quite good on my last visit in December so I am very disappointed to hear it has gone down in quality.
I liked Bleu, too. Great view.
I am delighted to see your reco of Mrs. Thomas. She is a character but that was teh best safety briefing I have ever gotten in thirty years of moped riding.
Welcome home.

anna191

Thanks for the feedback. We are only going for a long weekend so I wanted to make sure I picked up some great eats and try some new places. The last trip to Bermuda we loved Fourways and Harbourfront.

penny

Hi cmcfong
Waterloo was our favorite spot last year. This season they had a limited menu-3 appetizers, etc. I did not mind the menu as it was interesting. They also did tell us in advance about the new menu. We enjoyed our appetizer,
but our entree was a big disappointment.
The tuna was tough, i could not cut it
with my fish knife.
The disappointment was the quality of the tuna for an outstanding chef,
and restaurant. We did mention it--and they did take it off our bill with an explanation that the chef did not get the tuna he wanted. Yes, we did appreciate they addressed the problem. All in all it was very disappointing. It will not be at the top of my list.

Yes Mrs. Thomas is a character. We liked that that she will pick up the mopedsat our hotel-it gave us a option that Oleander does not. I hope for our next rental she will remember us--and the fact that we are graduates of "her" school!

We had perfect weather, and calm seas!

cmcfong

I can well understand your disappointment in Waterloo, Penny. That's a shame, because they have always been such a reliable place. Glad your weather was good. I am also glad to see you join the Mrs. Thomas fan club. She is amazing. Welcome home.

anna191

Can anyone recommend any casual restaurants close to Coco Reef? I have also heard there might some sort of market of close to the hote.

penny

The Modern Mart is just down the road
from Cocco Reef. Besides food they have
a nice selection of wine and Liquors.