I am going to Bermuda in July with my husband and 2 daughters (18 and 19). I am down to deciding on staying at either the Pompano Beach Club or the Fairmont Southampton. From reading review here it seems like the biggest difference is the Pompano would be smaller and quieter. How crowded would the Fairmont feel in July? I know both of the beaches are relatively small, so would both have the same crowds sitting at the beach or would we find the Fairmont more crowded. What would the Fairmont have to offer 18 and 19 year old that the Pompano would not? My daughters are not really the "party" type. It also seems both hotels are in about the same location, so I assume getting to other parts of the island would be similar for both. Bottom line, do you have a recomendation for one over the other?

The Fairmont is near a couple of public beaches including Horseshoe Bay which is one of the most popular beaches in Bermuda. There are shops at the Fairmont. July is a very popular month for travel to Bermuda. In my opinion, the crowds at the Fairmont would be noticeable. Good thing is it is unlikely there would be a convention going on simply because the rates are so high then.

If I were making the choice I would pick Pompano and when I needed a change of scenery I would take the ferry to Dockyard or Hamilton and spend some time. Pompano will be the more intimate of the two resorts.

Have a wonderful time in Bermuda. It is another world.

Fairmont has more dining options, also, a bit closer to town than Pompano. I'm not a big Pompano fan - food's not great, lots of stairs (I don't mind stairs, but my mom did, although in Pompano's defense they'll take you up and down the hill in a golf cart), wait staff can be surly, housekeeping not so great. It's not a bad place if you set your expectations properly, but it's not a "luxury" resort in my book as it would like people to think it is. Even if your girls are not party types, I think the Fairmont would be a bit livelier than Pompano.

My husband and I are attending a LARGE convention at the Fairmount Southhampton this July 23-30th. So....BEWARE. We are over 600 people strong!

The Fairmont has always been a corporate hotel. When I travel for vacation the last thing I want to be reminded of is a business trip. Bermuda was the orginal
cottage colony island--for more of a true
Bermuda experience I would go with Pompano!

Wow! We were at Pompano last summer and will be again this year. Our experience has been completely opposite of cantstayathome's.

The food was outstanding (we're from NYC, if that matters, so we are familiar with respectable food) and the wait staff, the entire staff actually, couldn't have been more accomodating. "Surly" is an adjective that we didn't require anywhere in Bermuda, least of all at Pompano.

Do you remember the television show Magnum P.I.? If you do, here's an analogy: staying at Pompano seems more like being a guest at Robin's Nest than staying at a hotel.

I have stayed at Pompano 5 times and will be there again the end of July with my husband and three teenagers. We have 2 families also joining us with their teenagers. Pompano is a beautiful place with great food, friendly service and wonderful owners. It is on the smaller side compared to the Fairmont. There is entertainment every evening. It is kept low key. The kids love it here. There is always something for them to do and during July/August there are a lot of kids/teens staying there. As far as getting around the island - you can rent scooters (which are fun), take a taxi, ferry or bus. The public transportation is really good on the island. The scooters are a great way to go but you need to be careful on them. The hotel will drive you to the rental place where you take a small test before you rent the scooters. The ferry is close and the hotel will shuttle you there also. What are the dates of your trip. We will be there 7/27-8/6.