Bermuda anyone?

[Saphire]

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?

WOW! What a wonderful surprise and what a fabulous choice! We have stayed a few times next door at the Sonesta, but one day strolled over to the Reefs and thought we were in heaven! It is up on a cliff that gently goes down to the ocean, with the most magnificent views I have ever seen! We promised ourselves that next time we would stay there. Come back and tell me how it was...you are one lucky woman!
Bermuda is a bit more formal than the US, you will definitely want to wear a nice dress to dinner. The Reefs has afternoon tea, and sporty casual would be fine for that. The beaches along the south side are the best, but you won't have to go far as you will be ON one of the nicest beaches in the world! A trip to Hamilton is a must...they rent scooters next door at the Sonesta (fun!) or you can take a taxi. There are water excursions too...scuba, glass bottom boat, etc. It is such a a beautiful place. Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[janey99]

The term is "smart casual" for dress - it is about equal to business casual in the states. Summer dresses and skirts for women, and chinos or dress shorts and polos or short sleeve button downs for men. No sneakers to dinner in a "smart casual" place, and no walking around town EVER with a bikini/bathing suit top for women or bare chested for men.

 

[janey99]

oops - double post!

 

[kikipug]

and no walking around town EVER with a bikini/bathing suit top for women or bare chested for men.

Good point... this is a biggie there!

 

[janey99]

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.

QUOTE]

You probably wouldn't have seen much or any, given the limited amount of time cruise ships dock (even if you had taken a number of trips over the years). Unfortunately, however, it IS a real problem, and tourists are targets. Purse snatching, agressive begging, theft from moped baskets/storage and sometimes even B&E into hotel rooms happens weekly.

Forewarned is forearmed - hold your purse firmly, be aware of your surroundings and who is in your field of vision, lock your balcony doors, etc., and you are likely to be fine.

Don't make the mistake, though, of thinking the place is so beautiful and quaint that "it doesn't happen" there!

Cheers -

j99

 

[Microbio]

I was in Bermuda several years ago. I went with several female friends. Funny story, we hooked up with some people who gave us everything for free! The mopeds for the week were free, we went on a glass bottom boat and drank rum swizzles(free).

The night life there does not start until around 10 pm. and we partied all night long. We did take cabs to the clubs at night. One cab driver dropped us off at a "gay bar". so after seeing how the natives are there, I can see that there could be some criminal activity there.

The Island is 22 miles long, and we took a day and went to see the banana's tree's, we drove from one end to the other.

so by day we were at the beach(were I was stocked by a flasher) and huge partying by night.(The owner of one of the huge clubs on the waterfront is from Boston and on the plane with us...we were guests for the week for free!)
It was the cheapest trip I ever took

 

[crz4mm2]

We cruised to Bermuda. We were warned on the ship not to do the scooters (too dangerous). We promptly got off ship the first day and rented one
We had a BLAST. Drove all over the island. It was GREAT.
There are many many beaches to explore.
Loved the Moon gates.
Navy dockyard has a shopping center.
There is a perfumery that was fun.
The water and beaches are just gorgeous.
HOpe you have a wonderful time!

 

[4nana]

What a sweet DH you have to give you such a wonderful BD gift ! Actually, I surprised DH last year with a cruise to Bermuda for his birthday!! We really enjoyed ourselves and had a wonderful time making special memories. As others have said, found Bermuda very beautiful, clean, w/friendly people, and altho expensive, one of the more prestigious islands that has much too offer and will not let you down. They boast of their lack of crime and not near the poverty some islands have. We were cautious, but felt completely safe on streets after dark.

Our ship docked in the north at Royal Naval Dockyard. While there we took a 45 minute ferry trip to the opposite end of 21/22 mile long island. We purchased a bus ticket for appx $13pp and spent one day sightseeing this way. Let me warn you, the bus drivers can be a tad bit wild....LOL!! There are so many new adventures to see and do, one idea I didn't see mentioned are the Crystal Caves, we found them to be unusally beautiful.

Enjoy, I know you'll have a wonderful time ! Hope my picture links work and you enjoy!

We docked at Royal Naval Dockyard...

Horseshoe Bay - the showers quickly come and go...

Of course, most have a beverage of choice at The Swizzle Inn...

 

[kikipug]

FYI- The bus system in Bermuda is very good if you opt not to rent a scooter. Granted, it is MUCH like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and they MEAN it when they tell you to keep hands, arms and heads inside the bus (limestone walls on either side of narrow roads in many places), however, the schedules and stops are well thought out and can get you just about anywhere you want to go.

We have bought the 3-day passes before, (can't remember how much they were, but much cheaper than a taxi). and found it to work out well.

 

[fivefordisney]

What a sweet DH you have to give you such a wonderful BD gift ! Actually, I surprised DH last year with a cruise to Bermuda for his birthday!! We really enjoyed ourselves and had a wonderful time making special memories. As others have said, found Bermuda very beautiful, clean, w/friendly people, and altho expensive, one of the more prestigious islands that has much too offer and will not let you down. They boast of their lack of crime and not near the poverty some islands have. We were cautious, but felt completely safe on streets after dark.

Our ship docked in the north at Royal Naval Dockyard. While there we took a 45 minute ferry trip to the opposite end of 21/22 mile long island. We purchased a bus ticket for appx $13pp and spent one day sightseeing this way. Let me warn you, the bus drivers can be a tad bit wild....LOL!! There are so many new adventures to see and do, one idea I didn't see mentioned are the Crystal Caves, we found them to be unusally beautiful.

Enjoy, I know you'll have a wonderful time ! Hope my picture links work and you enjoy!

We docked at Royal Naval Dockyard...

Horseshoe Bay - the showers quickly come and go...

Of course, most have a beverage of choice at The Swizzle Inn...

Wow! Thanks for the photos! The more I hear from you, the more excited I get! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for me... I really appreciate it and really, you are all adding to my excitement!!!!

 

[liamsaunt]

I thought of another thing for you to do, again walkable from your hotel...you should definitely take the time to walk to the top of the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse! The views from the top are amazing, and don't worry, the lighthouse is not too tall. There's a place to have tea and scones etc. inside the lighthouse too.

Some people have mentioned the crime issue. Yes, it is there, just like anyplace else in the world, but if you are careful, as you would be at home, you will have nothing to worry about. Keep your hotel room locked, keep your valuables and passports in your safe, and I would not recommend walking around town at night by yourselves, except on the main road.

Lastly, one of the best days we had in Bermuda was the time we arranged for a private sailboat charter. They took us all around the island, stopping for snorkeling along the way. If this is in your budget, I would highly, highly recommend it. The Reefs would be able to help you arrange the charter.

Have a lovely vacation!

 

[suzannen]

One other thing, The Reefs has a very nice spa and you can also arrange to have a special romantic dinner on the beach. But several friends of mine have been shut out from these because they didn't book them before they arrived and they were already completely booked. So, if you have any interest in either of these (particularly the romantic dinner on the beach with tiki torches), you should call or email them now.

 

[fivefordisney]

I thought of another thing for you to do, again walkable from your hotel...you should definitely take the time to walk to the top of the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse! The views from the top are amazing, and don't worry, the lighthouse is not too tall. There's a place to have tea and scones etc. inside the lighthouse too.

Some people have mentioned the crime issue. Yes, it is there, just like anyplace else in the world, but if you are careful, as you would be at home, you will have nothing to worry about. Keep your hotel room locked, keep your valuables and passports in your safe, and I would not recommend walking around town at night by yourselves, except on the main road.

Lastly, one of the best days we had in Bermuda was the time we arranged for a private sailboat charter. They took us all around the island, stopping for snorkeling along the way. If this is in your budget, I would highly, highly recommend it. The Reefs would be able to help you arrange the charter.

Have a lovely vacation!

Thanks so much for the additional info. I will definitely do the lighthouse. We just did the Cape May lighthouse with five kids! Imagine how fun (and relaxing) it will be with just the two of us.

Now, how did you arrange the private sailboat charter? To make a VERY long story short...My husband proposed to me after we and our friends chartered a sailboat in St. Maarten--we had lunch and then a private swim on an uninhabited island --and he popped the question. We walked back around the island and our friends were waiting with champagne and a cake that said, "Congratulations!" It was a very happy moment! So, maybe chartering a sailboat is in order for this trip...

Thanks again for taking the time to respond!
Suz

 

[fivefordisney]

One other thing, The Reefs has a very nice spa and you can also arrange to have a special romantic dinner on the beach. But several friends of mine have been shut out from these because they didn't book them before they arrived and they were already completely booked. So, if you have any interest in either of these (particularly the romantic dinner on the beach with tiki torches), you should call or email them now.

Thanks, my husband emailed and got reservations for dinner on the beach (complete with tiki torches!) We haven't decided on the spa yet--but I am working on it! Thanks, so much for the additional info. You have no idea how much I love to hear all the ideas!!!

 

[fivefordisney]

I was in Bermuda several years ago. I went with several female friends. Funny story, we hooked up with some people who gave us everything for free! The mopeds for the week were free, we went on a glass bottom boat and drank rum swizzles(free).

The night life there does not start until around 10 pm. and we partied all night long. We did take cabs to the clubs at night. One cab driver dropped us off at a "gay bar". so after seeing how the natives are there, I can see that there could be some criminal activity there.

The Island is 22 miles long, and we took a day and went to see the banana's tree's, we drove from one end to the other.

so by day we were at the beach(were I was stocked by a flasher) and huge partying by night.(The owner of one of the huge clubs on the waterfront is from Boston and on the plane with us...we were guests for the week for free!)
It was the cheapest trip I ever took

Wow! How lucky are you?!?! I have a feeling we are going to spend a LOT of money. I am kind of freaking out, but my husband equates giving me the trip to Homer giving Marge a bowling ball with his name on it for her birthday (from The Simpsons.) He is so excited -- now so am I, thanks to all the info you all gave me!