Bermuda anyone?

[fivefordisney]

My DH surprised me with a trip to Bermuda for my birthday. We leave on July 24 and are staying at The Reefs for 8 days. Has anyone stayed there? What are the things in Bermuda that I should not miss?

I am usually the planner in the family and this trip really threw me for a loop! I am excited, but other than the pink sand, I know very little about Bermuda. Please advise!! Thanks, as always!!!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Nice B-day gift. I can't help, but I'm interested in knowing.....

 

[liamsaunt]

The Reefs is a really nice hotel, you are lucky. I've tried to stay there a bunch of times but it is always booked! Make sure you eat at their restaurant (I think it's called Coconuts)--it's tasty.

Some advice: be careful on the scooters! You probably know that you can't rent cars on Bermuda. If you do rent a scooter, go slowly and carefully. There is a good bus and taxi system if you don't want to rent a scooter.

You are staying in the best parish (Warwick) for beaches, in my opinion. Some of my favorites that are close by, some of them walkable: Warwick Long Bay for waves and lots of pink sand, Jobson's Cove for lots of little fish, Church Bay for snorkeling, and of course Horseshoe Beach for suntanning and swimming (be sure to adhere to the swim flags at Horseshoe--they have rip currents there frequently).

The botanical gardens are worth a visit, as is the perfumery. If you like to hike, there is a trail that used to be a railroad path that you can head out on. Don't go alone though. Also visit the fort at Somerset and the nautical museum if you have the time--they have some cool stuff recovered from shipwrecks of the island. Speaking of wrecks, Bermuda has great scuba diving, if you are licensed.

Food is not the strongest point of a Bermuda trip, but you could try the drinks at the Swizzle in (Swizzle in, stagger out!), and there is a decent outdoor place at the Surf Side Beach Club (the Palms) which is not too far from your hotel. Lobster Pot in Hamilton is pretty good, albeit pricy (what isn't on Bermuda though!) If it is still around, Baileys has good ice cream.

Hopefully this will get you started. Have a great trip!

 

[mickman1962]

go here

 

[suzannen]

Bermuda is one of my favorite places in the world and The Reefs is a wonderful choice.

I have seen so many accidents on the scooters because Americans keep forgetting they are driving on the other side of the road, so my advice would be not to rent scooters. The island is small and the bus system works great and the bus driver will even let you know when it's your stop. Plus, you must try and take at least one ferry ride to either Hamilton, St. George's or the Dockyard. They are not only cheap, it's definitely the most beautiful way to travel as you pass all of the gorgeous scenery. You can find more information on their routes and costs as well as great tips in general on www.Bermudatourism.com.

Also, since you are there for 8 nights, ask about the Dine-Around Program that the Reefs participates in with the Pompano Beach Club, Cambridge Beaches and the Coco Reefs Hotel. This will allow you to visit and eat at a some of the other highly regarded resorts on the island.

You'll have a wonderful time. It's so romantic. Whenever I hear the beautiful songs of the tree frogs at nights (which means no bugs!), I always feel as if I'm home. My 11 year-old DD has already decided she wants to have her wedding there. I wish I was there right now. Let us know what you think!

 

[JoyG]

We took a cruise to Bermuda in 2001 and spent four nights on the island. It was wonderful.

There were a few things we did that we enjoyed. I took a bus tour of the island which was neat. We liked exploring The Royal Naval Dockyard and there was a cave place underground that was pretty neat. I loved the beaches!

 

[janey99]

A little more info for you -

There are many good restaurants in Bda., but if you are used to "big city" dining, like NY, they will definitely not be up to that standard. But, in Hamilton, some good ones are - Barracuda Grill, D'Mikado, Harbourfront, Hog Penny, Port O Call, Coquille. If you want to try a local's favorite in Hamilton, try The Spot. Outside of Hamilton (and VERY VERY pricey) are Fourways Inn, Tom Moore's Tavern and Waterlot. Restaurants tend toward European/continental and asian fusion (including sushi).

Try fish chowder with rum and sherry peppers, shark hash, conch fritters - these are some local dishes.

Get yourself a bottle of Black Seal rum (although I have recently seen the brand in US liquor stores).

ALWAYS say good morning or good afternoon when you go into a shop and approach someone (or get in a taxi, or basically approach any Bermudian) - if you don't engage in this little pleasantry, they will ignore you.

If you have money to burn and enjoy deep sea fishing, you can rent a charter for tuna, dolphin and wahoo for about $1000 a day - Mako is a good boat.

If you want to familiarize yourself before you go, read go to bermudasundotbm and theroyalgazettedotcom.

Final comment (and I say this even when I'm not on the DIS site!) Bermuda is not a theme park like disneyworld - it is not an engineered, manufactured safe haven made to look like an island, and you can't walk around with your head in the clouds like lala-land. There is a great deal of opportunistic, drug related crime on the island, including aggressive beggars, and some resentment of tourists that sometimes spills over into incidents. Keep your wits about you, and conduct yourself (with regard to your safety) as you would in any large city.

If you have any more specific questions, just ask!

 

[fivefordisney]

Thanks for all the info, liamsaunt, suzannen (we have the same name and last initial!), JoyG and janey99. Mickman1962—I couldn’t get the link to work… I’ll keep trying!

I am kind of in a dream state right now-- I am going to try to educate myself and then I am sure I will have more specific questions. I have never really thought about Bermuda. I know this sounds strange, but is there enough to do for an 8-day stint, or shall I plan to be lounging on the beach a lot? I am so used to vacations with my three kids that I just can't picture the lounging part.

I do know that Bermuda is pricey...I am sure that is why my husband planned it without me. (I am a frequent lurker on the Budget board.) I know we get breakfast and dinner at the Reefs. I guess we'll deal with lunch when we get there. My MIL just returned from a cruise that stopped in Bermuda and told me I should pack some snacks... Sadly, when she told me this we were vacationing in Cape May, NJ with 21 family members ( ) and I didn't have a chance to ask her why... I will have to call her.

Thanks so much for the information!!!

 

[mickman1962]

fixed it if not here it is

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196

 

[janey99]

Hi -

Saw your subsequent questions, so I'll add a little more.

Bermuda IS (gasp!) a little boring. You can do town (Hamilton) in a half-day, and visit Dockyard and St. Georges also in half days. For the rest of your time, you will be lounging on the beach or at the pool. But, a vacation where you can decompress is always a good thing!

As for lunches, all of the restaurants in town that I mentioned do lunch, and there are also at least 3 grocery stores in town (Miles Market, Marketplace and The Supermart) that sell "lunch" in the form of hot and cold buffet salad bars and sandwiches. There are plenty of public park areas in town where you can eat on a bench or in the grass.

Personally, I love to visit grocery stores when I travel! Some things to try n Bermuda - all Cadbury chocolate items, Walkers Crisps, Twiglets, and Mueller yogurt.

Regards,


J99

 

[fivefordisney]

fixed it if not here it is

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196

Thanks so much! It works and is full of info!!

 

[fivefordisney]

Hi -

Saw your subsequent questions, so I'll add a little more.

Bermuda IS (gasp!) a little boring. You can do town (Hamilton) in a half-day, and visit Dockyard and St. Georges also in half days. For the rest of your time, you will be lounging on the beach or at the pool. But, a vacation where you can decompress is always a good thing!

As for lunches, all of the restaurants in town that I mentioned do lunch, and there are also at least 3 grocery stores in town (Miles Market, Marketplace and The Supermart) that sell "lunch" in the form of hot and cold buffet salad bars and sandwiches. There are plenty of public park areas in town where you can eat on a bench or in the grass.

Personally, I love to visit grocery stores when I travel! Some things to try n Bermuda - all Cadbury chocolate items, Walkers Crisps, Twiglets, and Mueller yogurt.

Regards,


J99

Thanks! I love to visit the grocery stores, too! And, thanks for your honesty regarding the-- sshhhh!--boring thing. I had a feeling, but wasn't really sure. I am sure that I will relish the time to relax, but will bring a few books and magazines just in case.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your info!

 

[kikipug]

Bermuda is my absolute FAVORITE place on earth. (Yes, it tops WDW, but then again, WDW is in my backyard, so to speak.) We have always cruised, so I can't say much about the Reefs, though I know that it's nice.

St. George is my favorite... less hustle & bustle than Hamilton. Ft. St. Catherine is a nice place to explore, and Tobacco Bay is GREAT for snorkelling right off the shore. The White Horse Tavern is the place to go for a Dark and Stormy, the island's signature drink made with that wonderful Gosling's Black Seal Rum that was mentioned earlier. (Yes, you can get Black Seal in the states, but not the ambience that goes with it.) Also, if you are in St. George, be sure to visit the Unfinished Church. (my favorite 'thinking spot' on the planet.)

I read Janey99's earlier post... I honestly have never seen any of what she is warning about in all my visits there, however, I don't dispute that its out there... but then again, its on our news HERE every night too... so its ALWAYS good advice to be aware of your surroundings.

And the scooter warning holds true, too... I almost got run over by Doug Flutie there several years ago.

 

[PlutoPony]

It's been a while since our visit, but we also enjoyed St. Georges. The fort was interesting and there were a couple of nice places on the water for drinks, etc. One of the best meals we've had anywhere was at the Waterlot. Pricey yes but excellent. We also found attire in the evening to be less casual in Bermuda than comparable places in the Caribbean and such. Several hotel bars/restaurants had signs requesting jackets after 6; again this was a while ago so things may have changed since then. The scooters are an excellent way to get around IF you're comfortable driving them. DH had a motorcycle for years so they were easy for him to drive .... we found sharing one (with him doing all the driving ) to be a fun and inexpensive way to explore. Have a wonderful trip - this is a great place to go sans kids IMHO!

 

[Kimberly815]

I don't know anything about Bermuda. . but what a fantastic Birthday gift!

 

[mytwotinks]

What a great gift! I have been trying to find someplace for my dh and I to go for our first "no kids" trip in 10 years!!!! I can't wait to hear how you liked it.

 

[fivefordisney]

Just how formal is it in Bermuda? Am I going to have to get "dressed" for dinner each night? If so, I have to hit some sales...I don't have skirts or dresses. I wear business pants/capris to work and am really not all that fancy. Will my husband need a jacket?

Thanks, again!!

 

[fivefordisney]

I don't know anything about Bermuda. . but what a fantastic Birthday gift!

I have a fantastic husband!

 

[fivefordisney]

What a great gift! I have been trying to find someplace for my dh and I to go for our first "no kids" trip in 10 years!!!! I can't wait to hear how you liked it.

I'll let you know!

 

[Chris2597]

Dh and I were in Bermuda a few yrs ago...It is beautiful...The sand is really pink on the beaches.
I agree with another poster to stay away from the moped/scooters....We were told that there are numerous tourists in the ER everyday with injuries....some just road rash, others very serious.
Food is very expensive....I learned the hard way that you are charged for each glass of ice tea...refills are not free....I dont remember any restaurant being extroadinary...but the food was good....just be prepared for sticker shock.
We went to the gardens, glass blowing studio, the old old Episcopal church in town (very interesting) and perfume factory...We went in Oct. so it was a little on the cool side for swimming....We took buses and taxis everywhere...which was super easy....DH wanted in the worst way to rent a moped but when I saw how close the buses and taxis get to the little mopeds....I said no way...then we heard the ER stories...
Have fun...I am sure you will love it.