anncat71

I am planning a trip to Bermuda this November since it will be our 35th anniversary. We were there for our honeymoon and stayed at the haromony club which then was know as Harmony Hall. I would like suggestions on hotels that have good dining and possible their own beaches. I know there was damage done last fall but I would hope that it would be back to normal or near normal by next November. Also does anyone know if there is still the Marriot Castle Harbour Hotel there since I stayed there with my daughter back in 1995? Thanks ahead for suggestions.

meta

I don't know if this is important to you, but chances are the weather may not be that warm.

sueoz

Hi - check out www.thereefs.com. We stayed there a couple of years ago. They have their own beach. We were able to snorkel off the beach. The food was great at that time. We just loved the atmosphere. And they have a great infinity pool.

Also try www.bermudashorts.bm. There is a great forum on this website.

I don't think you could lose at the Reefs - especially for a special anniversary. sue

cmcfong

Hi anncat71
I go every year in Dec. It is too cold for me anyway to swim, but the weather generally is quite pleasant. Golf, walking, and biking are all comfortable in shorts.
Harmony is now an all inclusive. Castle Harbour is closed and being renovated as a high end property.
Pink Beach has gorgeous accomodations and its own lovely beach. Cambridge Beaches is beautiful, nice restaurant and spa on site. Very private, very high level of service. The Reefs mentioned earlier is a very nice property. Another nice beachfront property is Ariel Sands. My personal favorite place to stay is Fourways. It is not waterfront, it is mid Island. I love the easy access to the ferry, the high degree of service and the privacy of the accomodations. Guests have priviledges at Stonington Beach. If you want a less expensive option check out Surfside, it is very nice.

girlonthego

Hi we went in mid-oct 2002 and the water was very warm and swimmable. We stayed at the Reefs which is a lovely hotel with excellent food and it's own private beach. If your stay is in early Nov., the water may still be warm. Have a wonderful anniversary. Type in Reefs.com they have their own website with info.

anncat71

Hi thanks for the suggestions. We will be going end of first week and beginning of second week of November. Also any recent stays by anyone at the Sonesta, Elbow Beach or Southampton Princess and if so which do you recommend.

andy

Sonesta got hit really bad by the hurricane but WILL be up and running by May, 2004...

It recently BEFORE the hurricane underwent a massive MULTI Million dollar renovation ...

Sonesta would be my first choice-has a full service spa...and the Reefs (right next door) is my 2nd choice...

cmcfong

The spa at the Fairmont Southhampton is great. I have not been particularly impressed with the food or spa at Sonesta, though the property is certainly well located.

girlonthego

I know the Southhampton Princess was hit hard by the hurricane also. It is a very nice upscale hotel. The beach is at the bottom of the hill and you need to shuttle there or walk far. I have never been impressed by the Sonesta. Despite renovation, it still looks 1970's to me and I have heard in the past that it is always up for sale. The reefs is small and elegant and quiet. It is directly on the beach and has a nice pool. I would stay at either The Reefs or South Hampton Princess. Also, check out the Elbow beach club. I have never stayed here, but Ihave been to their beach and it is a very nice beach. The outside looks nice as well.

andy

forget Elbow Beach- food is bad there ,esp if you do the All Inclusive..

anncat71

It seems like Sonesta should be ruled out then. I saw pictures of the rooms at Southhampton on their website and it looked rather nice. I have stayed at other Fairmont Hotels and found there restaurants excellent so is it safe to assume it would be the same there? How are the rooms at the Reefs? I know there are other place to stay by the Fodors suggestions but I don't think my husband would enjoy a really small place no matter how nice. He usually likes staying at good size hotels which would actually rule out some of these places. Also would it be best to book now or would I get a better rate if I waited till the end of the summer? I know it is offseason in November so it should be a bit cheaper???

cmcfong

If you are torn between the Reefs and Fairmont Southhampton, The Reefs is a small, classy place with beach frontage and excellent support and staff. Cottages are available. The other is a gigantic place with all the bells and whistles...and conventioneers and tours and crowds. The rates are published by the hotels and as near as I can tell they go by them. Most BDA hotels lower the rates either 11/1, 11/15 or 12/1 .

jayded1

Elbow should be looked into, some of the information above might be dated as Elbow has not had a meal plan for over 10 -12 years. They have one of the Islands best restaurants The Sea Horse Grill. Harmony has a a pretty good deal as all meals and bev. are included even items from the bar.

almesq

I have been several times, including during the hurricane last year, and always stayed at the Sonesta until the last time. I noticed that the Sonesta was getting a bit worn. We stayed at the Southhampton Princess last September and it was very nice--great beach area.
The Sonesta was virtually destroyed by the hurricane, the damage was unbelievable. It will be open by November, and should be better than ever. Princess was also badly damaged, but will be fine by November (may be all fixed already). You'll like either one, the Princess has more restaurants to choose from, and has the 18 hole par 3 golf course, which was very nice (but badly damaged, I'm sure it's fine by now). Beach club at the Princess was also very nice (although in NOvember, not sure how much time you'll be spending at the beach).

anncat71

So far I am leaning towards the Southhampton Princess. Is it always cool the first half of November? When we were married back in 1969 I remember the water being warm and temps around high 70's. Were we just lucky? Also would you advise waiting till end of summer to book for lower rates? Thanks all.

girlonthego

WE were there Oct.10th time frame the year before last. The weather was better than May. The days were warm and the ocean was much warmer than the May we went. So, that being said. I think the water temps will still be warm. The days will be warm unless there is rain. Then it will probably get much cooler. Check out the weather.You can get the list of yearly averages day by day for the month of Nov. I believe there is a website dedicated to Bermuda weather. Anyone know of this? Also, a yahoo weather can give pretty detailed info. Why not go late Oct.?? The prices do come down after mid Oct. Then you know it will be warmer............

Simbas

You can check the weather here. http://www.weather.bm/ Enjoy!

Barbada

We stay at the Southampton Princess whenever we go to Bermuda. We usually go in October and February. Mid October weather is still hot and the water is very warm. I can't imagine it changes too much in a few weeks. The rates at the Princess go down Nov. 1. It was damaged by the hurricane but is opening on April 15th. We just came back. Stayed at Hamilton Princess which is very nice, but our favorite is Southampton Princess with the beach. I have stayed at Elbow beach which is very nice and the Seahorse Grill is one of the top rated restaurants. I have been in the Sonesta, but never stayed there. Word has it that the Sonesta will not be opening any time soon as a new owner just bought it and wants to rebuild it into codos. The Reefs is also very nice, but if your husband wants a big resort then I suggest Southampton Princess. It has everything right there.

anncat71

Thanks for the info. I do know that the rates go down in November. Barbara you prefer the Southampton Princess over Elbow Beach? Is it everything that is better there or a few differences? Are they about the same size and how would there beaches compare? I pretty much focused on those two hotels and got feedback on the Reefs but I think it will be definitely between the two hotels. I will most likely book in a few months.
Thanks for the info.

Barbada

Elbow Beach and the Southampton Princess are both about the same size. At the Princess all of the rooms are in the hotel and at Elbow there is the main hotel and small buildings with rooms throughout the property. Elbow's beach is bigger and nicer. However the Princess has a golf course, spa and indoor pool. Both have outdoor pools, of course. The Princess has more restaurants to choose from.There has been some renovating at Elbow since I was there so I don't know what the inside is like now. The Princess has just been renovated and the rooms, lobby and lounge are all beautiful and new. I hope this helps.