My fiancee & I will be getting married in mid April, and are debating between the two islands. Which one do you reccomend and why? Are there any hotels in particular?

I prefer Barbados, it is less expensive, less stuffy, you don't have to wear a jacket to Dinner and the weather is much more reliable. Barbados is in the Caribbean, Bermuda is in the Atlantic. We stayed @ the Divi Southwinds and loved it.

I honeymooned
IN Barbados at a Cunard all inclusive resort 9 years ago,and I had a bad experience.My husband got ill eating a burger at an outside bar b q got food poisoning.I asked the resorts front desk to send me a dr.they got me a heart surgeon.who gave my husband some cardiac meds and was told to stay out of the sun.The rest of the week he spent tied to the toilet,sick at both ends.As I sightseed around the island.I found the people VERY unfriendly and the majority unhelpful.As if they were doing me a favor.The food was terrible at the resort and the rastas all over the beachs selling drugs.I would look out my balcony and there was always one to greet me with a smile.No privacy!Icant remember(must have a mental block)the name of the hotel but it was a Cunard resort.Things may have changed but I only here nice things about Bermuda.Sounds like an island in good taste.Congrats and good luck!

My husband and I love Bermuda..the jacket rquirement is a myth..only in some resturants are jackets required, most just ask for 'smart casual' dress. Bermudians are not stuffy, they are polite, friendly and helpful. At our favorite little hotel in Hamilton, Rosedon, the employees know our names, sit for a few minutes to chat when they deliver our trays for breeakfast, give us hugs when we leave. I went to Bermuda in April when I was in college, the weather was pleasantly warm, many swam, but it is not hot at that time of year (in the ocean). In April you could have hotter summer-like days or more Spring-like weather. We go in Dec. and the high each day is usually in the low-mid 70's, the low at night usually high 60's. As in all islands, food and goods are expensive, but there are choices and ways to eat more reasonably. As for hotels, if you like the big all inclusive ones with shops and resturants: The Princess in Hamilton, the more expensive Southampton Princess (gorgeous), Elbow Beach, The Belmont, Sonesta, Marriott Castle Harbor. Smaller but nice: White Sands, Grotto Bay. Economical and very convenient to water ferry service is the Palm Reef. There are too many to list. I recommend Bermuda because others we talk to who have been to both prefer Bermuda for its cleanliness, high standard of living, low crime rate. Bermuda has a nice web-site (do a search). Our small hotel, Rosedon has a web site www.rosedonbermuda.com They have a wedding package. Rosedon is not on the water, but they provide free taxi ( 8 min.ride to beautiful Elbow Beach with full use of facilities). It is very convenient to Hamilton shops, resturants, across the street from The Princess, has afternoon tea (real china, sandwiches, cake) daily, Tues. eve. swizzle parties with food and live music. If you opt for the breakfast package they bring your tray to your room and you can eat out on your terrace or by the pool. Good luck and happy honeymoon! (I think there is another discussion in this forum about Bermuda compared to other islands..Bermuda is far and away the favorite.)

BERMUDA - BERMUDA - BERMUDA!!! If you are like most visitors, you probably won't care to go anyplace else on vacation after you have been to this paradise. Most hotels are great - check out The Reefs - very popular with honeymooners - great south shore location! Good luck!

BERMUDA - BERMUDA - BERMUDA!!! If you are like most visitors, you probably won't care to go anyplace else on vacation after you have been to this paradise. Most hotels are great - check out The Reefs - very popular with honeymooners - great south shore location! Good luck!

I've been to Barbados 16 times and loved every minute of every trip. In response to one of the responses, I've eaten at all different kinds of places and never gotten sick. I've also had experiences with doctors and I'm sorry to hear this person had a bad experience, but that is not the norm - their hotel, by the way, closed down years ago. Bermuda, on the other hand, is very different. It really depends on what you want! Barbados is cheaper, and also is more casual, but I think it's richer in culture. I have been to 12 islands and I think the people in Barbados are THE friendliest!

I'm deciding between Barbados & Sint Maarten? Any comments between the two?

Served in the Navy in Bermuda and got so bored I never wanted to go back. Went to Barbados for our honeymoon and loved it. People were very freindly, water and beaches great. But, then returned later to Bermuda as a tourist instead of a serviceman (i.e. with money) and fell in love with the place. If you want to mostly enjoy the beach and each other, either place will do. If you do plan on other activities, Bermuda offers much more. It's more beautiful, the people are much better off and just as freindly, and there are plenty of nice, but expensive stores to visit. Have fun and best wishes for your married life!

We have not been to Barbados, but have been to the "St. ....." islands from a cruise, Paradise island in the Bahamas for our honeymoon, and Aruba (3 times). Hear good things about Barbados relative to other Carribean islands. Did visit Berbuda in October '94 and enjoyed it also. Comments on Bermuda are as follow:

- Remember it is the same latitude as N. Carolina, so weathers is not tropical. October was marginally ok for swimming but also caught tail end of hurricane (whole island lost power).

- Beaches are beautiful! Horeshoe beach had the softest sand I've experienced. Felt like walking on flour.

- Renting moped is fun (cars can't be rented), but getting used to driving on left (especialy after a right turn) disconcerting.

- Dining is definitely expensive (even ordering a pizza was $50). Cheapest dinner for 2 - at an Italian restaurant - was $70. Most $100+.

- People definitely very friendly.

- Somewhat nore formal than some places, but you don't have to be.

- Shopping is wonderful.

- Crime rate is no longer as low as advertised. We just missed an armed robbery at a bank we went to cash check. Hotel rooms on both sides of us were broken into (we had chair legs wedged into track of open sliding glass door). Much discussion in local papers over how much crime rise should be publicized. Still way better than most US cities and other islands though.

- Would definitely recommend seeing it, and would consider it very romantic for honeymoon.

- Hope you enjoy yours!

Dennis and Sharon Mc



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