Why does "everyone" like the Reefs?

Old Sep 10th, 1998, 08:23 AM
  #1  
Harold Donahue
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Why does "everyone" like the Reefs?

Have read a number of comments on the Reefs- could someone be more specific? I like a nice room-got to keep my wife happy- by that I mean clean and attractive. What amenities does the property offer? Is the pool bigger than a bathtub? What about the beach? How is the food? Do you tire of eating in the same place the entire week? What is a typical guest-age wise? I read reviews that simply say it is wonderful -let me know if you agree..
 
Old Sep 10th, 1998, 05:10 PM
  #2  
NOREEFS
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Couple thoughts on my most recent REEFs visit:
- food is fine not great (CBeaches and Arial Sands are far superior)
- service was fair to poor, not excellent, our 2 bedroom cottage smelled awful(and it took three days for the superior REEF staff to do anything about it- other guests indicated they had cockroaches),
- and to top it off they failed to send (and lost) a 30 page fax that I gave them for one of my clients. (I am still working with the management of the REEFs to find out how they lost my fax and lied to me that the fax was sent.)

All this for a tidy sum of $450 per night. I cannot recommend the REEFs,unlike the many of the "REEF groupies" you will hear from that have gone to the place for 10+ times.

What should you do if you stay at the REEFS?
1) Do not get a cottage, wait out for a ocean view (and get an updated room)
2) Call in advance to get on the dine around plan - the food is superior at other resorts (esp, CBeaches and Arial Sands)
3)Go to Horseshoe Bay and other public beaches
4) bring lots of cash
5)

But don't expect meeting any active guests - most are east coast or British coach potatoes who think they are James Bond on a put-put scooter (about three tourists were killed on the island during our stay)

Rec: Check out the Princess, Arial Sands or C.Beaches, also Elbow Beach? but may still be under construction.
 
Old Sep 11th, 1998, 08:53 AM
  #3  
Laura
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What sour grapes!!! I wonder why "NOREEFS" doesn't post their real identity. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I will respect this person's, but he/she is truly in the minority. It is hard to believe that these remarks are directed at the hotel that we stayed at. After a year of researching hotels in Bermuda (we wanted something smaller than the Sonesta where we usually stay), we decided to see what all the fuss was about and we booked at the Reefs. We had received nothing but positive reviews about this hotel and now we can add our own. We were not disappointed. I am neither a "groupie" nor a "coach (misspelled) potato" -- and we never even saw a "put-put" (?) scooter. How nasty!
 
Old Sep 11th, 1998, 10:32 AM
  #4  
NOREEFS
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Response to Laura and Added Comments:
Focusing on typos does not change the fact that the REEFS did not meet my expectations for service, nor what I would have expected for the money I paid. I feel I am pretty well calibrated given I travel at least 4 times a year for pleasure and nearly every week for business. (but frequent travel does create in some cases "overly high-expectation consumers", and i quite possibly may resemble that consumer group.)

Second, I am not looking to establish a correspondence via the internet email, I just want to give my 2cents on the REEFs to try to help other people who are trying to make an informed decision.

Third, to convince me your not a groupie, why not provide the individual considering the REEFS with more specific details on the REEFS that would convince someone why REEFs is the best choice, -- beyond your nebulous comments - you even failed to note two of the REEFS strongest points - its beach and and its kid-friendly policies (i.e. room rates more reasonable than C.Beaches surcharge)

The crux of the issue centers on whether you are getting value/service for the money - my answer is a strong no - but you may consider it an extreme aberration if you would like.
(just because "everybody" says a TV show/movie or resort is great doesn't make it true for everyone.)

The person considering the REEFs should go beyond the slew of initial rave or negative reviews to really understand if the resort will meet their needs - I am 100% sure they will be disappointed if they are looking for luxurious accomodations, or in-house activities.

Is REEFs better than Cambridge Beaches or Arial Sands or Elbow Beach etc…Yes? … Based on what criteria, e.g. kid friendly, food, room etc. Be kind and provide some quality observations to help the person make a decision why the REEFS is a great place to stay.

 
Old Sep 12th, 1998, 08:09 AM
  #5  
Harold Donahue
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Hi,
PLease give me some reasons why the Reefs are so special. It is difficult to make a decision based on saying "it is wonderful" We do have high expections! Frankly, for price and the fact it is an anniversary trip for us- I demand alot and feel I have every right to receive it. Descibe the rooms and food. What about the service? We are considering the Caymans as well as Hawaii.
 
Old Sep 12th, 1998, 04:24 PM
  #6  
Laura
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To NOREEFS:

1. Still wondering why you are hiding behind the phoney name -- just call me curious.

2. They weren't typos -- they were misspellings.

3. Believe me when I say that I have no desire to carry on an internet correspondence either, but, like you I will continue to put my 2 cents in since I hate to see people misled -- sorry, but you were very vocal in your disgust with the Reefs and like it or not, you are in the minority. If "Harold" keeps investigating, he will see that most visitors to the Reefs love it and eventually return (as we hope to.) Again, I repeat, you are most certainly entitled to your opinion. I am sorry that you had such a miserable experience. But, having said that, I will continue to sing the praises of this most wonderful hotel.

4. I don't care how extensive your travels are. I could say the same thing having traveled very extensively with my husband on his business. So what? Have you stayed at other properties in Bermuda? I have stayed at only one other property in Bermuda, but it is one of the nicest properties (the Sonesta) so I do feel that I have a basis for comparison.

5. My husband and I are not rich. We have to save for several years to be able to take a trip to Bermuda. You mentioned that if one is going to stay at the Reefs they had better "bring a lot of cash." Well, heck, everyone knows that if you are going to Bermuda, you'd better bring a lot of cash no matter where you stay. My point is that because we have to wait several years between trips to Bermuda and because we have to save, save, save to do it, we always hope for complete satisfaction, quality and a great deal for the money it costs us when we do go. We have received all of this at the Reefs. We are not easily satisfied.

6. I said that I was not a "groupie" -- and at the age of 48, I feel no need to have to convince you (whoever you are) of that.

7. And this is to Harold. Please, at any time, feel free to e-mail me with any and all specific questions about the Reefs, the Sonesta or Bermuda in general (my e-mail address is genuine.) I would be more than happy to answer your questions. Better yet, I will take it upon myself to e-mail you personally to tell you all about this wonderful hotel. You may be sorry - I tend to get carried away with details, but if that is what you want, you've got it. Whether you stay there or not is of no concern to me, but at least I will be able to describe this property and tell you what we loved about it. I will be in touch soon!
 
Old Sep 13th, 1998, 10:29 AM
  #7  
Laura
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Harold -- sent you an extensive e-mail, but it was returned -- some problem with your e-mail address. I think it said that it does not recognize amt.edu. Anyway, if you would like me to re-send the message, let me know if there is a different address.
 
Old Sep 14th, 1998, 05:48 AM
  #8  
Janine
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Harold, the original poster, asked "What is so wonderful about the Reefs?" So far, this question has not been answered (although we have a lot of specifics as to why it is NOT so wonderful).

I have been burned on other trips where "everyone" liked a resort and it was horrendous. SO please, give us specifics about why the service, rooms, etc. at the Reefs are so superior to those of resorts in the Bermuda or in the Caribbean. Thanks for the info.
 
Old Sep 14th, 1998, 07:00 AM
  #9  
Eugene Day
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HI, I have also been thinking of booking the Reefs. Would really like some help. Tell us about the rooms, food, beach and level of service. With this kind of info , we could make a better decision. I have also been to "famous" resorts to be quite disappointed.
 
Old Sep 14th, 1998, 07:57 AM
  #10  
barb
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NOREEFS sounds to me like a travel agent who is ticked off because travel agents don't get a "cut" when it comes to the Reefs. I found about The Reefs from their Website. When my husband and I were considering a trip to Bermuda(we are very well-traveled but have never been to Bermuda)all of the information we received from our travel agent were "tour" type hotels, where they get a cut of the action. When we finally chose The Reefs, our travel agent confessed that they don't "push" it because The Reefs don't "do" tours. We were there in March and I can tell you that it was a wonderful experience for us. We had a room overlooking the beautiful water. I am not going to dignify "NOREEF" and his postings.
 
Old Sep 14th, 1998, 04:38 PM
  #11  
Angela Wilson
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My travel agent is pushing thus place-tell why you like it. What about service, food and the rooms. It doesn't help much to hear every body loves it without knowing why..
 
Old Nov 18th, 1998, 11:56 AM
  #12  
Julia Emerson
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I would like some info on this resort. I have read the discussion but can't find an answer. Please give a recent experience. Will you include the beach,rooms and service in your reply? would you stay there again? Thank you for your kind help.
 
Old Nov 18th, 1998, 12:03 PM
  #13  
Harold Donahue
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My wife and I have been ill but are returning to Fodor's. We may travel to Hawaii instead of Bermuda. Could not get an answer about where to stay in Bermuda. Our travel agent is ready to book any where we chose. She does not offer much advice. Maybe I should find help elsewhere.. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us and I hate to be disappointed. Give us your opinions, please
 
Old Nov 20th, 1998, 05:20 AM
  #14  
Anne
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Harold,
I have been to Bermuda and just got back this month from a first time visit to Hawaii. I loved both islands. Bermuda was absolutely beautiful with its pink sand beaches and miles of unspoiled beauty. We stayed at Elbow Beach and would definitely recommend it to others. As for Hawaii, we visited Maui and it was the closest thing to Paradise. There are so many things to do, the locals are the nicest around and the beaches were stunning. I couldn't compare these islands but I can tell you that you will not go wrong going to either island.
 
Old Nov 20th, 1998, 05:20 AM
  #15  
Anne
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Harold,
I have been to Bermuda and just got back this month from a first time visit to Hawaii. I loved both islands. Bermuda was absolutely beautiful with its pink sand beaches and miles of unspoiled beauty. We stayed at Elbow Beach and would definitely recommend it to others. As for Hawaii, we visited Maui and it was the closest thing to Paradise. There are so many things to do, the locals are the nicest around and the beaches were stunning. I couldn't compare these islands but I can tell you that you will not go wrong going to either island.
 
Old Dec 2nd, 1998, 06:21 AM
  #16  
Tammy
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Personally I do not think that Bermuda compares to Hawaii in beauty or in value. Bermuda is a beautiful island, but Hawaii is AWESOME!!!! If I had one trip of a lifetime I would choose Kauai and Maui. You get tremendous value for the money you spend. It is possible to have a glorious vacation there without breaking the bank. We have stayed at the Hyatt Kauai and the Hyatt Maui and at the Sheraton Maui and they have all been wonderful. We stayed at the Reefs on Bermuda and it was nice, but there is no comparison to Hawaii. This is only our opinion and others may not agree, but our vote would definitely be with Kauai and Maui in Hawaii.
 
Old Dec 2nd, 1998, 06:22 AM
  #17  
Tammy
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Personally I do not think that Bermuda compares to Hawaii in beauty or in value. Bermuda is a beautiful island, but Hawaii is AWESOME!!!! If I had one trip of a lifetime I would choose Kauai and Maui. You get tremendous value for the money you spend. It is possible to have a glorious vacation there without breaking the bank. We have stayed at the Hyatt Kauai and the Hyatt Maui and at the Sheraton Maui and they have all been wonderful. We stayed at the Reefs on Bermuda and it was nice, but there is no comparison to Hawaii. This is only our opinion and others may not agree, but our vote would definitely be with Kauai and Maui in Hawaii.
 
Old Dec 3rd, 1998, 05:18 PM
  #18  
JRD
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Tammy saw your ideas on Hawaii. My husband and I are thinking of a trip there in May . How long ago did you go? Would you suggest we travel alone or with a group? Can you help me figure a way to get a cheap airfare from the East coast? Thanks for your help..
 
Old Dec 3rd, 1998, 05:19 PM
  #19  
JRD
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Tammy saw your ideas on Hawaii. My husband and I are thinking of a trip there in May . How long ago did you go? Would you suggest we travel alone or with a group? Can you help me figure a way to get a cheap airfare from the East coast? Thanks for your help..
 

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