AxelF

Wife and I are planning a trip to Bermuda (first time) out of Boston for sometime in September (first/second week?) at Pompano and wondered what the latest on the resort is?

Also, what IS the best time of year to visit Bermuda? We can go anytime (no kids) with a few days notice.

Thank you,
Axel

luvsun

We have been to Bermuda at least 12 times over the years. We stayed there in July, August, and early September. There is always the chance of hurricanes going later in the season although I don't think the threat is as high as in the Caribbean. Last time we were there, we went in the middle of August and on the day of our departure, a hurricane was about to arrive. We were there in early September many years ago on our honeymoon and it was perfect weather. You can also get rainy weather in July so I think it comes down to the luck of the draw. We like to go later in the season because the water is warmer then and we love to swim in the ocean. (It is one of the few places that I will swim in the ocean, but the water is warm, crystal clear (as long as there are no storms out to sea) and beautiful!)

We have never stayed at Pompano Beach, but have stayed at the Southhampton Princess, the old Marriott Castle Harbor and the Reefs. For a small hotel, we like the Reefs very much. Great location right on the beach, but the rooms could have used some additional updating, especially the lower priced ones. If you want to splurge, they just built some ownership condos which they were renting out since some had not been sold. They were absolutely lovely, but I don't know what the up to date status is on them.

Bermuda is one of my favorite places in the world--the beaches, the scenery, the people are lovely. I think you will really enjoy it. There are quite a few sights to see for being a little island such as the aquarium, numerous forts, the Royal Dockyard, Hamilton, etc. We usually rent motorbikes (which can be dangerous--I don't particularly recommend it) or they have a good system of public busses to get around.

Have fun--I think it will be a place you will want to return!

AxelF

Thank you for the info LuvSun. It does now look like a mid September trip, just got the time off.

Anyone else?

Can you check the weather a week before and predict how it may be? Or should I not waste my time waiting until the last minute and get the 150.00 each? Yikes. Insurance? Which doesn't even seem to cover just Tropical Storms. Plus the air fare is probably more if I wait.

I have a motorcycle, so have some experience getting around an island on a moped. But will have to see. I remember a trip to Nantucket where I made it up this steep, ROUGH shape, cobblestone street with my wife on the back of a moped. Figured if I can do that... ;-)

Axel

txgirlinbda

Sept is still storm season - I wouldn't risk it without travel insurance. As long as there are no hurricanes, it's a great month to be there, weather-wise. Also, afternoon thundershowers can pop up any day, so if you look at a 5-7 day forecast and it says 'rain', it probably doesn't mean all day.

Depends on where you're flying from - you're only going to get one flight/day from each city/airline, so I wouldn't wait on tickets if your travel days are set.

Please reconsider a moped - the roads are narrow and twisting, there are no shoulders, only rock walls in lots of places, and they drive on the other side of the road. Accidents involving tourists are a daily reality there. Public transportation is readily available.

Pompano is quite a bit removed from any sort of night life/restaurants, so you'll need to factor that in to your plans if you want to be going out at night.

AxelF

Thank you.

What is a similar style resort (semi private, closer to water's edge, upscale), not a hotel, closer to shopping and the best beaches? Or can't you have it both?

Also, isn't the island small enough that you don't have to have both?

Axel

txgirlinbda

Pompano, The Reefs and Cambridge Beaches are the big three on that end of the island, Pink Beach Club on the other end of the island.
The island IS small - but those resorts are far enough out that you're looking at 30-40 minutes to town (shopping and most restaurants) not including high-traffic times. If you want to consider the bus and ferry, you're somewhat limited to those timetables. Taxis that far out can get expensive if you want to go in to town every night for dinner. It really depends on how you want to spend your time there.

AxelF

What kind of night life is there by the way? Is it anything like the Dutch end of St. Maarten, or just some restaurants that remain open late with light jazz lounges? Why would I go into town (and which ones?) at night?

Is Hamilton the only shopping area?

Pompano has plenty of restaurants for my taste. If I did get bored, I'd probably venture out a few times, not every night.

Axel

txgirlinbda

There are some nightclubs, mostly geared towards a 20's - 30's crowd. There are a few jazz/music wine bars, Hamilton Princess has a good Friday happy hour and the Lemon Tree does as well. Shopping = Hamilton, plus the touristy areas of Dockyard and St George's.
Town = Hamilton - that's it, and where you'll find the majority of restaurants, if your resort didn't fill your needs. Pompano is closer to Dockyard than it is to Hamilton, and there are a couple of bar/restaurants in Dockyard should be pretty active, esp. when there are cruise ships in port.

AxelF

Anyone crazy enough to book a trip to Bermuda, NOW?, for September 17-24, or is it too risky with all the hurricane activity going on in the Atlantic?

I'm not a gambling man. So have not booked yet.

Starting to think of other places to go.

Axel

txgirlinbda

It's going to be risky anywhere right now. That's what trip insurance is for.

Weadles

I hate to be the voice of doom and gloom, but we lost out on two trips to Pompano Beach, both planned in September because of possible hurricanes/tropical storms. Read your travel insurance carefully. I learned the hard way that the insurance does not cover you unless the plane is cancelled and/or there is serious damage to your resort.

Laura_Palka

We literally just returned yesterday from a four day stay at Pompano. One word - breathtaking!!! Don't hesitate in booking here. A friend referred us and we are so grateful! We have travelled a lot, but this was our first trip to Bermuda. The hotel is lovely, you just walk down a few steps to the private beach, and the food was very good! Other travelers we road back to the airport with stayed at Fairmont Southhampton and said it was "tired", crowded and overpriced. Plus, you have to take a trolley just to get to the beach. I am already planning the next trip to Pompano!!! We loved it and the Lamb brothers who own the property are just a delight and so hardworking as was the entire staff.

Odin

We were in Bermuda this past June (our 2nd visit) and although did not stay at Pompano, had lunch there a few times. We thought it was breathtaking, the view of the sea, the colour and the beach was just spectacular (although the private beach was small, it was beautiful). We also had lunch at Reefs which was also in a great location, maybe slightly better positioned for Hamilton.
We rented scooters, the roads are in good condition but it is dangerous, a tourist on a scooter was killed whilst we were there. Scooter does give you lots of freedom to go where you want.

bhonoreh

Axel.....if you need a tour or a taxi, my brother in law does a terrific tour and is a great taxi driver. Do not look elsewhere......there is nothing like beautiful Bermuda!

AxelF

Just a very quick trip report, so to speak. We did end up going to Pompano 17-24 of September last year as stated above. It was excellent! Perfect weather the entire week, not too crowded on our resort, beach was large enough, moped was a breeze (I own a motorcycle) and we visited a LOT of different beaches for photos. Food at Pompano was pretty good I must say and the view was great. The resort is well maintained. We even got an upgrade upon arrival. Would go again in a heartbeat, but want to see what else is out there. It's a great fallback if I can't decide.

Thank you all for your help.

Axel

vschiffman

Going to Bermuda September 15 for 4 nights. Which of the nicer resorts (Reef, Cambridge,Pompano, Pink) has the best beach with water activity's like sailing,paddle boarding,skiing and windsurfing? Looking for nice spot with great beach bar.

AxelF

@vschiffman

Not Pompano if you're looking for water activity. But it was a beautiful beach, even if not super huge, plenty of room for all (and in Sept. you'd have it mosty to yourself, give or take of course).

Good luck.