My husband and I are planning a trip to Bermuda in July and have a couple of questions. 1) Is there much rain in July? 2) How is the Grotto Bay Beach & Hotel? 3) Does Bermuda have public pink beaches and is Horseshoe beach one of them? 4) Lastly, we are planning to allocate approx. $120 a day (for 2!) for breakfast & dinner - Is this a reasonable allocation?

July will be HOT as for rain I really could not say. Horse beach is public as are many other great beaches.Your $120 a day budget for meals will be very low. Try to get a meal plan up front.Also Bermuda is a very freindly place but guiet. The mopeds have become dangerous to use so if you rent one be very careful.

Even if it does rain, usually the showers are quite brief. Yes, the beaches are pink and Horseshoe Bay
is one of the loveliest in the world! As for Grotto Bay, it has a decent reputation. The big drawback is where it is situated - way at one end of the island - so you're constantly having to drive fair distances to do just about everything. You are however, real close to the Swizzle Inn - enjoy the rum swizzle that they are famous for. (You'll be glad you're hotel is close by after having a few of them!) Have a great time!

I was in Bermuda last July. It was hot and did rain periodically, but it didn't really affect the trip. Dress smartly and carry a "totes" umbrella and you'll be fine. I would suggest either the Marriott Castle Harbour or Elbow Beach for accommodations---either way, make sure you get the MAP meal plan, it works best. We went to Horseshoe Beach---very pink, very beautiful, and very crowded! It is THE public beach so arrive early and stake out a spot. Make sure to allow plenty of time for shopping and touring in Hamilton and St. Georges, the back streets of St. Georges are particularly interesting. If you like to golf, the courses are world-class. Enjoy your trip!

Stayed at Southampton Princess on Honeymoon in Aug.
Horseshoe beach was close to our hotel and it was
the best beach--you can walk out a hundred feet and the water is still at your knees. The hotel was
nice but very expensive and a horrible location
if you want to go out at night. We are in our
twenties and like to go out dancing, it was a half
hour cab ride to Hamilton and it was about $20 both
ways. Also if you like to drink buy alcohol at the
grocery store because at our hotel beer was about $6
a bottle/PinaColoda about $7.50. You can't beat the
beaches but be prepared to spend $$$$.

Re: Horseshoe Beach--yes, it can be crowded; however, don't park your blanket on the first available piece of real estate. As you enter the area, look to your left. In the distance are huge coral formations--we mainlanders call them rocks-- walk thru the passageways in these rocks to find a much more secluded beach--not desolate, but not so crowded. Enjoy!! Wish I were going with you!

Which hotel do you recommend in Bermuda. We would like to walk out of our room right onto the beach. How is the Sonasta Beach Resort? Reefs?

Thank you.

July is ok for Bermuda. Been there many times
during July & August. Brief rain squalls...mopeds
are fun but dangerous...It's very very expensive
to enjoy yourself while in Bermuda....if you don't
think you'll return again, don't even use a budget!

$250 - $275 a day for meals, if you're eating at
locals restaurants. Meal plans (MAP) are okay
if you're staying at a resort that has an exchange
program w/other hotel restaurants nearby. Other,
wise....having a breakfast buffet and dinner buffet
can get VERY OLD after a few days!!!

Bermuda's beaches are sooo beautiful...Horsehow
is one of the finest..not that over burdened during
July * Aug cuz it's rather HOT that time of year!

Mopeds are @*!!!& dangerous!

Enjoy!

To S. Farrell: Sonesta Beach & Spa is a wonderful hotel. My husband and I stayed there in 1994 and had a great time. The hotel is very accommodating to its guests regarding day trips and exchange meals. It is on the South Shore. The nearest hotel is the South Hampton Princess and is right by Gibbs Lighthouse. I think this would be a good choice for you.

Bermuda is HOT in July, but FUN! Go at the end of the month when the Bermuda Cup is on. It;s a big deal - two days public holiday and a lot of partying going on! It's a bonus, esp. if you like cricket! If you're looking for a reasonably priced accommodation, I would suggest The Mermaid Beach Resort. Drinks are very expensive, but the alcohol content is usually quite generous! Have fun!

My husband and I went to Bermuda in July 1993. We stayed at the Clear View Suites and Villas. We had an 800 square foot B&B that we were very pleased with for $182/night. It had a straight shot view to the ocean with nothing between us and the ocean. It had two swimming pool which we never had to share for some reason. We had a full kitchen and since it is dangerous to ride around on mopeds at night and taxis are expensive, and I enjoy cooking, we had all our meals except two at our B&B. Groceries for the week cost $90. One night we ate at the restaurant of restaurant called Tom somthings Tavern. Sorry maybe someone else can help with the name. But our meal without wine or alcohol was $122 for two people. It was very, very nice. Another night we ate at Benihana's at the Marriott. I think that meal was like $75 for two. These are typical prices for nice places - at least they were in 1993. I also prepared our breakfasts in our B&B. Just as a side note, I bought a necklace while we were there. They DON'T haggle! The price you see, is the price you pay. I guess because everything has to be imported. We chartered a deepsea fishing boat and used the "Elaine S Too" with Capt. A. V. "Peter" Fox. It cost us $300 for half a day for just the two of us and Peter and his helper but since fishing wasn't too good that day, he kept us out several hours longer at no extra charge. I loved Bermuda! We thought it was far, far superior to Hawaii especially if you just want to relax and enjoy a group of beautiful, friendly, polite people in a fabulous surrounding. Prepare yourself, you are in for a treat.

This continues my other message. It was Tom Moore's Tavern that I was trying to think of that was such a good restaurant.

To S. Farrell:
My husband and I just returned from Bermuda last week. We have stayed at both the Sonesta and the Reefs. Feel free to e-mail for specific info. on either hotel.