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-   -   Sonesta Bermuda Resort (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/sonesta-bermuda-resort-130607/)

Amy Jun 17th, 2001 12:56 PM

Sonesta Bermuda Resort
 
Is this the best resort on the island? Looking for comfortable but luxurious resort right on the beach or a short walk.

penny Jun 17th, 2001 03:52 PM

Sonesta was built in the 60's, it is dated but located in a great area. Bermuda unlike the caribbean has nice hotels but none like the 4 seasons or <BR>Ritz Carlton. I think Elbow Beach is much nicer, or Cambridge Beaches, Pink Sands, Ariel Sands. Just my opinion. Bermuda is a beautiful island and one of my favorites.

Carol Jun 17th, 2001 07:12 PM

Sonesta has just been renovated, and does sit right on the beach. Cambridge Beaches is lovely, and everyone seems to love The Reefs. The largest resort is Southhampton Princess. Can't go wrong with any of these, in my opinion.

butf Jun 17th, 2001 07:45 PM

you will feel much like ned beatty in the movie deliverance when he was tied to a pole made to squeel like a pig.you figure it out.

anon Jun 18th, 2001 03:51 AM

The Southampton Princess is a tall high rise hotel-I think the only one in this island of the orginal cottage colony. You have to get a jitney to the beach across the street-I would not call it right on the beach! It has a golf course so it is very popular.

Jan Jul 10th, 2001 11:27 PM

It depends what you mean by a short walk. As someone mentioned, the Princess has its own beach, but it is a hike down the hill (or the hotel's jitney.) In contrast, Ariel Sands, Elbow BEach and the Sonesta are right on their own beaches. Horizons & Cottages, a Relais & Chateaux property, is a 10-minute walk to beaches. <BR> <BR>Elbow, Sonesta, and the Princess are large, full-service hotels (e.g. multiple restaurants, spas, shops, etc.) In contrast, some of the most intimately luxurious properties on Bermuda tend to be smaller hotels (Ariel Sands; The Reefs; Pompano BEach Club) and cottage colonies (Cambridge Beaches, Horizons & Cottages.) These will TEND to be more expensive than the large hotels (Cambridge especially.) <BR> <BR>It kind of depends on what you mean by luxury -- some people aren't happy without a marble bathroom. Also: the Sonesta and Elbow tend to cater to families. I like children, but LOTS of them around the pool at a hotel this size can detract from what I think of as luxury. <BR> <BR>I've stayed at the Reefs and found so much to love -- but the bathrooms aren't in marble (but I haven't checked the new renovations this year.) Charming staff that believes in good service; friendly atmosphere; small, private, convenient beach; smallish infinity pool. Not cheap, but less than you'd pay at Cambridge. On the other hand, Cambridge is known for its excellent service, very good food, 5 "pocket" beaches that have a more private feel, on-site (but expensive) spa. Some have claimed that it can seem stuffy, but many like it a lot. <BR> <BR>Ariel Sands is a combination of being on-the-beach, privacy, friendly casual air (care of Michael Douglas's mother - one of the few high-end places that doesn't require jacket and tie at dinner, spa, good restaurant, dinig terrace, pool, etc. A drawback is that it is kind of off by itself - plan on a few taxi rides since the bus that sort of comes close stops running early inthe evening (last I knew.) <BR> <BR>So: in some ways, it comes down to how you define "luxury" (e.g. the Reefs doesn't have a spa, but the sull-service spa at the Sonesta is a short walk. Probably the best hotel dining is at CAmbridge, Horizons & Cottages, and Ariel Sands.) Compared to the Reefs, Sonesta, Ariel, and Elbow, The SH Princiess's beach is far, but you can still see it out the window down the hill.


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