We Need Help on Where to Stay in Bermuda
May 17th, 2009, 03:24 PM
#21
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Tobacco Bay is over near St. George's. It can be very crowded on days when cruise ships are in port.
http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_000010.htm
the site includes a link to a map
http://www.bermuda-attractions.com/bermuda_000010.htm
the site includes a link to a map
May 18th, 2009, 03:16 PM
#24
cmcfong or txgirlbda is there a store near the Fairmont? Walking distance or motor scooter distance? I have emailed the fairmont asking about their meal plans, but we are simple eaters at breakfast.We are happy with a bowl of cereal. So, I think I will thrown in a box of cereal in the checked luggage with some plastic bowls and some granola bar snacks. We will eat out somewhere for lunch and then dine nicely at dinner. The meal plan for two doesn't sound so bad, but times that by 4 and it gets expensive. Just trying to cut some corners.
May 18th, 2009, 05:01 PM
#25
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There are a couple of grocery stores within a short scooter ride on Middle Road. I believe there is a little curb market near Henry VIII's as well, but let's get txgirlinbda to handle that one. I haven't stopped in there in years and have no idea how well it is stocked. Here's a reference of supermarkets.
http://www.bermuda-online.org/costoflivingguide2.htm
I would suggest you go to Miles Market next to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and check out their takeaway section, lots of choices and very good,too. You could easily do a lunch for the beach out of their selection. Your plan to carry some cereal with you is a good one. Do you know if there is a fridge in your room? That would certainly simplify things for you.
http://www.bermuda-online.org/costoflivingguide2.htm
I would suggest you go to Miles Market next to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and check out their takeaway section, lots of choices and very good,too. You could easily do a lunch for the beach out of their selection. Your plan to carry some cereal with you is a good one. Do you know if there is a fridge in your room? That would certainly simplify things for you.
May 18th, 2009, 06:16 PM
#26
I am planning to request a mini fridge 
I may just email them ahead of time.
We are planning to carry on some clothes, and throw a large suitcase in the back with snorkel gear and some cereal and snacks. I will bring the plastic bowls and spoons. I know it sounds tacky, but 26 dollars per person for breakfast? ouch. Thanks for sending the link on the grocery stores. Wow things are pricey. Do you think the Fairmont would sell milk and soda in one of their stores? Then we could just get that there and not bother with the store until we head to town.
I don't mind spending on good dinners which I know I will get in Bermuda! thanks so much!
Thanks.
I may just email them ahead of time. We are planning to carry on some clothes, and throw a large suitcase in the back with snorkel gear and some cereal and snacks. I will bring the plastic bowls and spoons. I know it sounds tacky, but 26 dollars per person for breakfast? ouch. Thanks for sending the link on the grocery stores. Wow things are pricey. Do you think the Fairmont would sell milk and soda in one of their stores? Then we could just get that there and not bother with the store until we head to town.
I don't mind spending on good dinners which I know I will get in Bermuda!
thanks so much!Thanks.
May 19th, 2009, 03:09 AM
#28
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No way you sound tacky, girlonthego. I think you are using good judgment about how to spend your vacation dollars. I cannot imagine spending $26 for breakfast.
There is a sundries shop in the Southhampton Princess which has sodas and water. I don't know if they have milk. A possible solution is to call the Princess and find out for sure if there will be a fridge in your room and what size it is, then get the cab driver to stop and wait for you while you run in and get the milk and soda on your way to the hotel.
There is a sundries shop in the Southhampton Princess which has sodas and water. I don't know if they have milk. A possible solution is to call the Princess and find out for sure if there will be a fridge in your room and what size it is, then get the cab driver to stop and wait for you while you run in and get the milk and soda on your way to the hotel.
May 19th, 2009, 04:36 AM
#30
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Good morning! I sure miss a lot with you early birds!!
Okay, there is a decent little grocery on the way to the hotel. Ask the cab driver to stop at the grocery store just before the college. You should be able to get whatever you're looking for. Expect to spend close to double what you're used to for groceries, give or take. And a word about the milk - only the whole milk in the blue cartons is fresh - the skim, 2%, etc is all reconstituted from powder. Yummy...
As far as tacky, quit worrying - you should see the suitcase I pack when I return from a visit to TX - I buy Wal-mart out!! Do remember to claim duty on that stuff when you come through customs, on the off chance you get searched, you don't want a hassle. Everyone is allowed $30 of duty-free goods brought in, so you should be okay without having to pay.
Hope that helps!!
Okay, there is a decent little grocery on the way to the hotel. Ask the cab driver to stop at the grocery store just before the college. You should be able to get whatever you're looking for. Expect to spend close to double what you're used to for groceries, give or take. And a word about the milk - only the whole milk in the blue cartons is fresh - the skim, 2%, etc is all reconstituted from powder. Yummy...
As far as tacky, quit worrying - you should see the suitcase I pack when I return from a visit to TX - I buy Wal-mart out!! Do remember to claim duty on that stuff when you come through customs, on the off chance you get searched, you don't want a hassle. Everyone is allowed $30 of duty-free goods brought in, so you should be okay without having to pay.
Hope that helps!!
May 19th, 2009, 11:45 AM
#31
Thanks. I have secured a fridge for the room. My prices quoted for meal plans were more than friendsinbermuda's. I was quoted 33 for breakfast only and 134 for breakfast and dinner daily. We will bring the cereal! LOL
I am trying to watch my weight too and I will tell you if I prepay, I will eat it all because I feel like I have to. No excuses!
So, the skim milk is gross? Go with the whole milk? We are used to skim here at home.
I am trying to watch my weight too and I will tell you if I prepay, I will eat it all because I feel like I have to. No excuses!
So, the skim milk is gross? Go with the whole milk? We are used to skim here at home.
May 20th, 2009, 04:13 AM
#34
Okay will do. Maybe a granola cereal to mix with the yogurt!
I will get the whole milk for everyone else!
Have either of you ever done a tour with Fantasea? They have a snorkel cruise on a large boat (with bathrooms-necessary when planning ahead with teen daughters). Also, there is a bike tour from 9beaches that looks interesting. It is a bicycle tour and a boat ride.
I am thinking the Southampton Princess is a great location because of the usage of the ferry. I wonder if it runs back and forth to town day and night? It will save us a lot on taxi fare. We have stayed here before, but I never used the ferry service. I don't know why I didn't know about it?
I was looking at the hotel restaurants. Either of you ever eat at Bacci or Ocean Club? I know the Waterlot is really good. We ate there with our business trip. The Newport room is closed.
I also know King Henry the 8ths is close by. How is the food there these days and is the entertainment usually family friendly?
There are two big festivals. One is the tall ships and the other is the anniversary of Bermuda on Monday and every Wednesday. I thought these would be good nights to eat in town. We once went to an italian restaurant on the side street that was simple, but the food was very good. Do you know of the restaurant?
Thanks again for all the info. You are not only saving us money, but you are both really helping me map our trip!
Friendsinbermuda, it seems I have hijacked this thread to ask my questions. Hopefully, you can benefit from some of this too!
I will get the whole milk for everyone else!
Have either of you ever done a tour with Fantasea? They have a snorkel cruise on a large boat (with bathrooms-necessary when planning ahead with teen daughters). Also, there is a bike tour from 9beaches that looks interesting. It is a bicycle tour and a boat ride.
I am thinking the Southampton Princess is a great location because of the usage of the ferry. I wonder if it runs back and forth to town day and night? It will save us a lot on taxi fare. We have stayed here before, but I never used the ferry service. I don't know why I didn't know about it?
I was looking at the hotel restaurants. Either of you ever eat at Bacci or Ocean Club? I know the Waterlot is really good. We ate there with our business trip. The Newport room is closed.
I also know King Henry the 8ths is close by. How is the food there these days and is the entertainment usually family friendly?
There are two big festivals. One is the tall ships and the other is the anniversary of Bermuda on Monday and every Wednesday. I thought these would be good nights to eat in town. We once went to an italian restaurant on the side street that was simple, but the food was very good. Do you know of the restaurant?
Thanks again for all the info. You are not only saving us money, but you are both really helping me map our trip!
Friendsinbermuda, it seems I have hijacked this thread to ask my questions. Hopefully, you can benefit from some of this too!
May 20th, 2009, 04:33 AM
#35
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This was the ferry schedule I found. 9am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm and 6:15 from Waterlot/South P to Hamilton Princess. 10am, 1:30pm, 5:30pm and 7pm in the opposite direction, 7 days a week. The ferry is great fun and a perfect way for your daughters to meet other kids at the resort. One thing, if you want to eat dinner in Hamilton you are apparently going to have to take one of the Bermuda ferries and cab from there or cab it back from Hamilton. Of course Bermuda has very good bus service as well.
I love to bike, but Bermuda is very hilly and there is no bike lane. I would not consider biking on the roads unless it is a very low traffic area. The loop road out near 9Beaches and Cambridge Beaches is pretty low traffic, so that may be where it will run. You can bike the railway trail safely (if that's the plan, I would just rent a bike and go without a tour).
I am a diver so I haven't done any of the boat tours. I dive with Blue Water Divers and like their operation generally.
On restaurants, I am not much help. I have some favorites and keep going to those so I haven't eaten at the Fairmont Southhampton Princess in years. I went to Henry VIII's about two years ago and thought it was fun and the food was good. I love Ascots, Bleu, Fourways, HogPenny,and Lemon Tree. If I am out at Cambridge Beaches (I like their spa) I will go to their poolside restaurant. This year I plan to try Beau Rivage at Newstead and I may hit Tucker's Point. Too many choices! The Italian place about which you speak is probably La Trattoria (since you mentioned simple). Little Venice is also on a side street but it is pretty high end. When I took the girls last summer, they loved La Trattoria. It is basic, plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
The Tall Ships will be great fun and I usually enjoy the Harbor Nights. Double check to make sure that while the Tall Ships are in the date for Harbor Nights isn't changed to Thursday. I had heard some talk that it would be.
I love to bike, but Bermuda is very hilly and there is no bike lane. I would not consider biking on the roads unless it is a very low traffic area. The loop road out near 9Beaches and Cambridge Beaches is pretty low traffic, so that may be where it will run. You can bike the railway trail safely (if that's the plan, I would just rent a bike and go without a tour).
I am a diver so I haven't done any of the boat tours. I dive with Blue Water Divers and like their operation generally.
On restaurants, I am not much help. I have some favorites and keep going to those so I haven't eaten at the Fairmont Southhampton Princess in years. I went to Henry VIII's about two years ago and thought it was fun and the food was good. I love Ascots, Bleu, Fourways, HogPenny,and Lemon Tree. If I am out at Cambridge Beaches (I like their spa) I will go to their poolside restaurant. This year I plan to try Beau Rivage at Newstead and I may hit Tucker's Point. Too many choices! The Italian place about which you speak is probably La Trattoria (since you mentioned simple). Little Venice is also on a side street but it is pretty high end. When I took the girls last summer, they loved La Trattoria. It is basic, plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
The Tall Ships will be great fun and I usually enjoy the Harbor Nights. Double check to make sure that while the Tall Ships are in the date for Harbor Nights isn't changed to Thursday. I had heard some talk that it would be.
May 20th, 2009, 05:12 AM
#36
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Fantasea runs a good operation, I use them when I have visitors. I would stick with their boating activiites - I agree with cmcfong's comments re: only biking on the Railway Trail ,and you can do that on your own.
I'm not sure why they don't make a bigger deal bout the free hotel ferry. You do need to catch the hotel shuttle or walk down the hill in plenty of time to catch the ferry. If you miss it, the bus runs by the hotel every 15 minutes towards town, and it won't be much more than a 20 minute ride. Haven't eaten at Henry 8th in awhile. No experience with the hotel restaurants. If Trattoria isn't the Italian place you are thinking of, it might be Portofino's, also on a side street, near the (imho) over-priced and not exactly family friendly Little Venice.
I like the beachside restaurant at The Reefs, called Coconuts. That's near your hotel. With teens, I'd also suggest (in town) Flanagan's, Pickled Onion, Trattoria, Portofino's. Skip the over-hyped Lobster Pot. If you do sushi, there's a new place called Pearl upstairs from Port O' Call that is great. If you're on the Flatt's Village side of the island, Rustico's for Italian (great pizza). If you're headed towards St. George's near lunchtime, take the route 1 bus and stop at Specialty Inn at Collector's Hill. Diner-style, good food including breakfast until 4, just avoid the 12-1 lunch rush.
I'm not sure why they don't make a bigger deal bout the free hotel ferry. You do need to catch the hotel shuttle or walk down the hill in plenty of time to catch the ferry. If you miss it, the bus runs by the hotel every 15 minutes towards town, and it won't be much more than a 20 minute ride. Haven't eaten at Henry 8th in awhile. No experience with the hotel restaurants. If Trattoria isn't the Italian place you are thinking of, it might be Portofino's, also on a side street, near the (imho) over-priced and not exactly family friendly Little Venice.
I like the beachside restaurant at The Reefs, called Coconuts. That's near your hotel. With teens, I'd also suggest (in town) Flanagan's, Pickled Onion, Trattoria, Portofino's. Skip the over-hyped Lobster Pot. If you do sushi, there's a new place called Pearl upstairs from Port O' Call that is great. If you're on the Flatt's Village side of the island, Rustico's for Italian (great pizza). If you're headed towards St. George's near lunchtime, take the route 1 bus and stop at Specialty Inn at Collector's Hill. Diner-style, good food including breakfast until 4, just avoid the 12-1 lunch rush.
May 20th, 2009, 06:21 AM
#37
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I fell in love with the southampton princess (old name) when I visited the island with two girlfriends on board the cunard princess (cruise ship). We were 18 at the time and had the time of our lives! At that time, which was over 25 years ago (gasp) we went to the hotel to see Frankie Avalon perform...my god do I sound old or what. Anyway, I returned some years later on my honeymoon and continue to love that hotel. I returned for anniversary's, birthdays, brought the kids, with friends and most recently with one of my girlfriends who I originally went with on that cruise! We were there in August of last year and stayed on the gold level and were taken care of like queens!
The hotel is still gorgeous, the beach is still gloreous and the staff is still amazing.
We ate dinner at the restaurant on the water near the beach....it was fabulous. We also went to King Henry's which to my surprise has a sushi bar in the back, where we had a ball with the guitar player and the staff. We also ate at blue which was great and the swizzle inn...and yes we swizzled in and swaggered out! Everywhere we went we felt safe, had a great time and totally enjoyed one of my favorite places on earth. The newport is just amazing, as well as the restaurant on the docks (Waterlot?) In the past, I have done the dinner on the beach at coconuts many times with family and love the setting with the sun coming down, waves crashing with your feet in the sand....just wonderful!
The pub downstairs rocks at night and jasmine's is great for afternoon tea or a drink before heading out.
Be sure to visit horseshoe bay next door, there are alot of coves and nooks and crannies that your kids will enjoy exploring. We also did a sail boat for half a day...always nice to see the island from the water.
Bermuda holds a very special place in my heart and I will definately return whether it will be with my husband, my girlfriend or my kids....!
Happy travels,
albee
The hotel is still gorgeous, the beach is still gloreous and the staff is still amazing.
We ate dinner at the restaurant on the water near the beach....it was fabulous. We also went to King Henry's which to my surprise has a sushi bar in the back, where we had a ball with the guitar player and the staff. We also ate at blue which was great and the swizzle inn...and yes we swizzled in and swaggered out! Everywhere we went we felt safe, had a great time and totally enjoyed one of my favorite places on earth. The newport is just amazing, as well as the restaurant on the docks (Waterlot?) In the past, I have done the dinner on the beach at coconuts many times with family and love the setting with the sun coming down, waves crashing with your feet in the sand....just wonderful!
The pub downstairs rocks at night and jasmine's is great for afternoon tea or a drink before heading out.
Be sure to visit horseshoe bay next door, there are alot of coves and nooks and crannies that your kids will enjoy exploring. We also did a sail boat for half a day...always nice to see the island from the water.
Bermuda holds a very special place in my heart and I will definately return whether it will be with my husband, my girlfriend or my kids....!
Happy travels,
albee
May 20th, 2009, 08:17 AM
#38
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Tall Ships Harbour Nights Festival will be Thursday, June 11th. We will be in Bermuda from 6/12 to 6/20 so I have been checking the Tall Ships official website often.
http://www.tallshipsbermuda.com/events.asp
http://www.tallshipsbermuda.com/events.asp
May 20th, 2009, 11:55 AM
#39
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I'm glad you've gotten us so much information, girlonthego! Thanks to everyone for all the great info! One question I had put out that got lost in the shuffle. Has anyone done helmet diving?
May 20th, 2009, 12:11 PM
#40
Wow you guys are terrific!!!! Thanks so much!!
Friendsinbermuda, I would like the answer to that one too. I was wondering if anyone else had done the helmet diving as well.
The biking was a trip by boat to 9beaches, then they give you bikes and take you on a tour down the railroad path. It is about 7 miles on bikes. Something like that.
King Henry the 8ths has a comedian/singer/piano player on thurs, fri, and sat nights. I think we will go check that out. They said was family friendly enough for teens.
Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. I will check them out!
Friendsinbermuda, I would like the answer to that one too. I was wondering if anyone else had done the helmet diving as well.
The biking was a trip by boat to 9beaches, then they give you bikes and take you on a tour down the railroad path. It is about 7 miles on bikes. Something like that.
King Henry the 8ths has a comedian/singer/piano player on thurs, fri, and sat nights. I think we will go check that out.
They said was family friendly enough for teens. Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. I will check them out!
