The facility is poorly designed. All of the activities are centered around a very ugly water park. The rooms are either renovated and tiny or larger and out of date. The food service is disappointing. In a facility this large, we were surprised there was nowhere to get a drink overlooking the ocean. 2 of the 3 swimming areas were in almost enclosed lagoons. The main swimming area, centered on the pool and waterpark, was mobbed and very noisy. Dolphin Bay was less crowded, but had excruciating all metal beach chairs with no cushions. The water there looked stagnant and unappealing. The only swimming area right on the ocean, Cross Bay, was quite far from the hotel building and required either a shuttle ride or a walk through the unseemly employees housing area. The bathrooms there were chronically out of order. With so many lovely places to stay in Bermuda, I can't think of a single reason to select the Wyndham.

moss:
Thanks for the info. after my bad villa selection in St John...I love to here of a place to avoid.Would love to go to Bermuda oneday.I think that Jamaica is next on the list.When I do go to Bermuda the flight will be great. (I live in NC)

Which is the Wyndham? Is it the old Sonesta?

Yes, the Wyndam is the old Sonesta. Wonderful location--but a bad design
from the 1960's.

How very disappointing to hear this news. I had hoped the major overhaul would produce a top flight property. So sad.
Christiegr, you will love Bermuda when you do go. Many, many wonderful places to stay there.

cmc:
It is so confusing deciding where to go next.When I think about how short of a flight Bermuda would be from here it sounds great.Jamaica is also a consideration.

Definitely re-consider Bermuda. It is simply a magical and enchanting island, so colourful and lush, completely void of people trying to sell you drugs, etc. You can go to Jamaica for that 'Jamaican vibe', but Bermuda for its Bermudian charm. Check out reviews for Pompano Beach Resort (pompano.bm) on tripadvisor.com if you are interested in staying at a very romantic, casual resort. It is our favourite spot for a romantic getaway. We always count the days to return.

I like the short easy trip to Bermuda. It is a gorgeous place with an air of civility and a bit formal. Jamaica is more laid back, casual and generally has more of a party scene. Jamaica is lush and still has "wild" places. Bermuda is very developed. The beaches are beautiful and accessible to the public.
Very different places, each with their own fans. I love Bermuda and return there at least once a year. I hope you get a chance to visit there soon.

You mention there are so many beautiful places to stay there. Can anyone recommend a place more reasonable in price than the top tier Elbow Beach, Pompano or Cambridge Beaches? I just can't spend that much. Does anyone know any sources for renting cottages in Bermuda? Something romantic?

How disappointing... Sorry, Mossway.

That property has such a prime location, what a shame they can't seem to make it work. Isn't there a high end spa on site? Any experience there?

Would you say the Wyndham is more family-oriented than your expectations (enclosed lagoon, water park, etc)? Do you think they just have to work out the "kinks?" Or is it just a disaster through and through? (What's with metal beach chairs? ! )

Did you happen to go "next door" to the Reefs for dinner? Or visit the Southhampton Fairmont? Any updates on those properties?

Thanks for posting.

By the way, FTRAIN,

Although I have not been to either, both the Grotto Bay Resort and Royal Palms are more moderately priced hotels that get good reviews. Maybe you can start your research with those.

Ftrain, there are several less expensive options. Go to www.bermudatourism.com for a complete rate sheet on Bermuda hotels.
The favorite b and b is Salt Kettle House
a small hotel on the harbor which is popular is Greene's.
In Hamilton the Rosemont ( a small hotel, poolside rooms on the second or third floor have great harbor views) and the Edgehill Manor(a b and b) are popular. The Royal Palms is very nice, but it tends to be over $200 a day in season. Do eat at the restaurant, Ascots, it is wonderful.
I also like Fourways, not waterfront, but convenient to the harbor ferry and a relatively short ride to the beach (five minute ride, thirty minute walk). Surfside is a beach front hotel with moderate rates.

You asked about cottage/house rentals in Bermuda. This company does handle them
http://www.bermudarentals.com/
One of the attractions is that rental of many of their properties is tax and service charge free which in BDA can amount to a substantial savings.

One more suggestion:Watercolours B and B owned by a local artist, Carole Holding.

Greene's Hotel should have been GREENBANK, sorry.

I have heard good things about the Rosedon Hotel located in Hamilton. While it isn't on the beach, they do offer free shuttle service to a sister property. A young couple I met in Bermuda were staying there for their honeymoon and said it was quite lovely.

Tanya is right, the Rosedon is very nice. It is directly across the street from the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. The last time I stayed there the hotel did a very nice breakfast which was delivered to the room, had a tea every afternoon and a small reception on Tuesday night.

I have a trip scheduled to the Wyndham and am wondering if I should change hotels. I have children who would enjoy the waterpark though. Is it that the hotel is oriented toward families? If that is the case, maybe we would enjoy it. I'm not expecting luxury, but would like to stay at a nice resort. Any suggestion or feedback?

I am very dissappointed in this news. They have a prime location on the island and it is too bad that they can't make it into a decent hotel. When it was the Sonesta, it was the 1970's until it sold. I guess they haven't changed it much.
Christie, If you are going with your husband, the Reefs is a great hotel. If you are going as a family, the southhampton princess would be nice, elbow beach also.
We have taken our kids to the Reefs, but yours are small. It is mostly an adult oriented hotel.
Too bad about the Wyndam. I was thinking it would be a great family resort.

Dreamer 2, thanks for your questions. You asked a high end spa at the Wyndham. We have learned that just because a hotel puts spa in its name, that doesn't mean much. No, we didn't participate in any spa services themselves, but we did visit the gym which is inside the spa. Bsed on the antiquated and limited facilities there, we knew to avoid the spa. As for your question about whether the hotel was just too kid-orented for our tastes -- No we didn't have our kids with us at the Wyndham, but we still wouldn't recommend it for families. The pool and waterpark facilities are crowded together adjacent to a somewhat stagnant bay (Boat Bay). The waterpark is really a glorified waterslide. It is small, limited and the most unattractive facility I have seen. A family would be better off going to a Holiday Inn in Florida, using that pool and making visits to a real waterpark, tna spending its time at the Wyndham in this crowded area. The restaruant food is also of the Holiday Inn ilk. Dreamer2 also asked if we had dinner at the Reefs next door. Yes, many times. The highlight of our stay at the Wyndham was its location next to the Reefs. We found a way to walk through the Wyndham waterpark area, past the restricted area signs and across a broken down tennis court that took us directly to the Reefs, without having to go on the main road. As for the Fairmont, we did take a quick swing through the lobby. It was lovely, elegant and dignified in feeling. From what I saw things were in perfect shape. Although we didn't see the rooms or experience the restaurants, I would say this is a far nicer environment than the Wyndham. We also swung by the Fairmont Princess' beach club. It was lovely. The beach was pretty, with lots of interesting boulders you could swim to. They had full amenities, such as bar, restaurant. They send a shuttle bus constantly up and down the hill from the main hotel to the beach, so there is no worry about stairs or walking long distances.