American Airlines is having their annual spring sale and they can send me to Grotto Bay for 4 nights for $1260 from JFK. It looks reasonably nice in the photos and I like the fact that buses run from there. My main concern is the beach. Looks pretty crummy - yet the website claims they have 3 private beaches. <BR><BR>I've never been to Bermuda before and anticipate spending alot of time checking things out on the island. But I'd still like to get an hour or two beach time each day. How far are the south shore beaches from Grotto Bay?

I stayed in Grotto Bay in June of last year. Of the three beaches they claim to have, one is non-existant and one is tiny! But the main beach is fine and a good size. We really enjoyed the hotel, it has two caves, one in which you can swim, which is a fantastic experience. It is 2 mins walk away from The Swizzle Inn, which has the best entertainment on the island! We did not go all inclusive, and for this we were glad, as the drinks were watery and the food average. The restaurants on the island were first class though!<BR>You will love Bermuda, as we did, it is a beatiful island with truly friendly people. Any other specific questions, please feel free to ask me, or email me. <BR><BR>Angela

We stayed at the Grotto many years ago. At that time it was our 3rd visit to the island. It was not as convenient to get into Hamilton, and about 20-25 minutes from South Shore Road beaches. These are the best beaches, beautiful coves, and trails, and vistas. Bermuda is a wonderful sophisticated island, with lots to see and do!

Thanks, Angela. I've almost decided to go for it, but have 2 more questions for you:<BR><BR>1. How easy is it getting around the rest of the island from the hotel?<BR><BR>2. Aside from the Swizzle Inn, are there restaurants in the area or will I have to travel to eat?<BR><BR>

Hi Alex! My wife & I stayed at the Grotto Bay in Oct. of '98 for our honnymoon. It's at the end of the cruse season, so the island won't be crowded. We liked the place and plan to go back. <BR><BR>We found the best way to get around Bermuda was using the bus - get a week's pass. Grotto Bay is on 4 routes - only Hamilton has more. One comes by every 15 minutes. If you are adventurous, rent a scooter (on site).<BR><BR>Get the breakfast plan and eat out. There are good places in St. George's (10 minutes away) and Hamilton. We loved the many pubs - food was tasty and resonable. Go to the White Horse and the Hog Penny. Tom Moore's is a high-end romantic place.

Thanks for the info, Jack!

What do the rooms look like at Grotto Bay? What hotel chain are they comparable to? Are they upgraded or are they kind of old and run down? This resort seems to be the least inexpensive, I hear because it is right near the airport.<BR><BR>Thanks

There are some photos on their website: www.grottobaybeach.com. <BR><BR>Everything I've read so far claims the noise from the airport isn't a problem. <BR>

Alex,<BR>From all the properties we have seen Grotto Bay seems to be one of the worse ones. Away, as someone said, from the south shore beaches and Hamilton. Aside from the Swizzle Inn there isn't almost anything. Buses run frequently. But it's still buses you are going to have to take.... Stay in Hamilton if budget is of concern. There are a couple of not terribly expensive places in Hamilton like the Royal Palms Hotel (www.royalpalms.bm) where we stayed and loved it. One thing for sure: you will love Bermuda. Good luck.

Maybe that accounts for the low price. It's OK, I'm sure it will be more than fine for a first trip. I'll ride the busses, learn the island, and next time stay somewhere else if GBBR doesn't cut it. I'm still very excited about going there.

My fiance & I are also considering staying at the Grotto Bay Beach for our honemoon in June. I read in the reviews a couple of people complained about roaches!! anyone else have that problem?<BR>Or can you suggest any other hotels (reasonabley priced)?<BR>Any suggestions would be helpful.<BR>Laura

The easiest rumor to spread for someone with an ax to grind is to say a place is overrun with roaches. Do I believe it? No.

I stayed there for 2 weeks and didn't see any roaches - so don't worry! It is a reasonable hotel and you are close to the town of St George which has a few nice restaurants also.<BR><BR>Angela

another Alex here... i stayed there one weekend in December 2000. they were doing a fair amount of off-season renovation in some of the buidings (including the main building) at the time. From what I can tell, this place caters to the younger crowd (like me). I spotted several British families on a working holiday and a few US naval aviators taking shore leave.<BR><BR>I'd say the rooms are about on the level of a Holiday Inn - not posh, but comfortable. There is a safe in each room. Beds were firm, but I prefer them that way. The in-room cable was pretty sparse at the time, maybe 15 channels. Never saw any roaches, but there was a rooster wandering the property. Those things really will wake you up. The pool area was nice and well kept. The caves are pretty neat too. The beaches, though dull, were sandy and clean.<BR><BR>The breakfast isn't bad - enough to satisfy my monster appetite - but I don't think anybody comes to Bermy for the cuisine. There's an ice cream place right across from the Swizzle Inn but that's it for food in the area. <BR><BR>Some folks have mentioned the proximity of the airport as a turn-off, but it's hardly O'Hare... I don't think there are more than 20 arrivals and departures all day. I don't remember seeing any flights leaving at night.<BR><BR>As noted before, several bus routes run right by the front gate. the buses will get you just about anywhere you want to go. Spring for a pass, they're well worth it. IIRC, the south shore was about a 45min bus ride (the speed limit is only 35kph, so you won't get anywhere quickly).<BR><BR>All in all, I'd probably go back. I view most hotels as a place to sleep and unwind, not a destination unto themselves, so I don't get too hung up on amenities.

The Grotto isn't awesome but it is a great place for the price. The beach does suck but there is a scooter rental place on site so get one of those and find a beach you like. It is probably a half hour ride to the south shore beaches by scooter and even closer to Tabacco bay. I would def. go again even though there are much nicer places. You could try the sonesta - their prices are good too and much closer to the better beaches. <BR><BR>Erin

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