So I have been researching and trying to find the best destination for our 10th wedding anniversary and travel with our 4 year old and infant. I was tempted to go back to Atlantis again as there is so much to do on site or nearby seeing that we'll have the kids with us but it would be nice to go somewhere different as we've gone there many times before.

So, my research has hooked me on to Bermuda. I am leaning towards the Fairmont Southampton as it sounds like it would be better for us with the kids. It looks absolutely wonderful there and on the island but I had a few questions.

1. Does anyone know how often the ferry between the Fairmont Southampton and Fairmont Hamilton run? Like if we went to Hamilton for dinner is the ferry an option?

2. The bus system sounds great but can we get to the Aquarium by bus from the Fairmont Southampton?

3. Is the Aquarium worth a visit anyways as I didn't find much comments on it. I checked the website and it looks small but I though it might be nice for my 4yr old.

4. Will we be able to get our stroller on the bus? Is it a bus like in North America or more like a van? We ride the bus in Nassau and it's really a van which would be tight with the stroller folded up.

5. Are there transfers from the airport to the hotel or do people usually take a taxi? We're hadn't planned to bring our car seats for the kids but should we?

6. Are the shops and restaurants within walking distance of the Fairmont Hamilton?

Thanks!!

I will reply with what I can!
The buses are not vans,but maybe not quite as large as a NYC bus. My sister in law folded up her stroller and took it on the bus with her baby.
The bus is cheap and easy to get around and very safe.
Taxi is the best method to get from the airport. We never used car seats for our kids and neither did my brother for his kids.
The Fairmont southhampton is a nice hotel. It sits high on a hill. It is family friendly. The beach is at the bottom of the hill. You can walk down or trolley down to the private beach.
Not sure about the ferry system or how it works.
The bus stops near the Fairmont. We went to the Aquarium, but i don't remember it. We went to the caves and the perfume factory as well. The last couple of times we went with kids we stayed across the street at the Reefs. Which is not as kid friendly. It is definitely more couples. We had the only kids. The staff was very accomodating. We weren't complaining as my parents had picked, booked, and paid for our rooms. Very nice
We stayed without kids at the Fairmont Southhampton about 5 years ago, but it seemed to be more of a family hotel.
Enjoy Bermuda.It is one of our favorite places and we are long overdue to return.

Hi - I think Southampton is a great choice, especially with kids. Hope this helps too!

1. You can get to town (Hamilton) quite easily on the bus for shopping and dinner, if the free ferry between Fairmont properties doesn't run when you need it.

2. The bus system takes you anywhere you would want to go. It's clean, safe and efficient. The aquarium can be reached by routes 3, 10 or 11. You can take the Fairmont ferry or the bus to Hamilton and change buses at the main terminal.

3. The Zoo and Aquarium ARE fairly small, but pretty nice and if you're planning other things on that end of the island (lunch and a stroll through St. George's, perhaps) it would make a quick stop and your 4yo would love it. You could probably be in and out of there in an hour or so if you wanted. (There's an Italian place right near the Aquarium/Zoo called Rustico's - great pizza!)

4. The buses are regular city buses, and you are allowed to bring "umbrella" strollers on board (the kind that just collapse easily) - there's even a space opposite the driver by the first seat for stowing it while you're riding.

5. I don't know if the Fairmont properties do any sort of transfer from the airport, but the taxi drivers know when the planes land AND how many people are on board, and they are lined up out front waiting for you. Couldn't be easier. You're probably looking at about $40 fare.
I'm quite neurotic about car seat use, but honestly, I rarely see them used here. If you're on the buses, I wouldn't bother, and unless your little one is in a carrier that you can just run the lap-belt over, I don't know if it would be worth it to bring one for him/her either. And then there's the issue of carrying it all day while you're out and about.

6. Hamilton is very walkable. The Fairmont Hamilton (everyone just calls it the 'Princess') is just a few blocks from the main shopping and restaurants. There are two really nice parks right in town, and plenty of places to pick up lunch and go sit outside. And in the office complex next door to the Princess is a grocery shop called Mile's - all I can say is -Godiva Coffee Bar-!!

Hope this has been helpful - let us know what other questions you come up with!!

Thank you both so much for the excellent advice! It sounds so wonderful there but we're flip flopping now on whether or not we should do an all inclusive instead. I was looking at some menu prices at the Fairmont and got a little scared. I don't think we'll end up venturing off to local restaurants so much because of our little one. She is still nursing and gets quite needy at night so I'm stressing a bit. Being close to our room might be our best bet.

I guess with all inclusive you pay for it upfront but sometimes that seems better than when you're looking at a menu with prices of +$40 per entree. I know we will be conservative on what we eat if we see the high prices.

Also originally we didn't care too much about a kids club for my 4 year old but seeing some of the facilities at the other resorts, I think he would really enjoy it so that is on our mind as well now. Unfortunately the Fairmont starts at 5 years and up.

But your advice has gotten me hooked again on Bermuda. Does anyone else go through this back and forth with destinations? I think I have looked at every resort in the Carribean now and jumped from island to island! Wherever we decide to go, I will definitely post about it after. Thanks!

If you're keen on the Fairmont properties, what about reversing it - stay in town at the Princess (near the less-expensive dining options) and take advantage of the shuttle ferry to use the Southampton hotel's facilities?