Traveling to Bermuda on a budget.... any suggestions?

[SingingMom]

Are all the hotels nice in Bermuda? I see many of you stay in hotels instead of cruising which I'm looking into but would love feedback on the hotels!! The fairmount southampton is one I was looking into

I've stayed in a hotel in Bermuda three times and cruised once. Even though we cruised first class - royal suite with butler, private hot tub on our own verandah, jacuzzi tub in bathroom - I TOTALY prefer staying in a hotel!! Cruising to Bermuda is a tease for me, because you don't have enough days on the island and the gorgeous beaches!!

Our next Bermuda visit will be the Southampton Princess, Elbow Beach, or The Reefs!

 

[gracie1]

I've stayed in a hotel in Bermuda three times and cruised once. Even though we cruised first class - royal suite with butler, private hot tub on our own verandah, jacuzzi tub in bathroom - I TOTALY prefer staying in a hotel!! Cruising to Bermuda is a tease for me, because you don't have enough days on the island and the gorgeous beaches!!

Our next Bermuda visit will be the Southampton Princess, Elbow Beach, or The Reefs!

Thanks! I was looking at the reefs also!

 

[pjlla]

Thanks all for your ideas, suggestions, and recommendations! Getting super excited for my trip.... and I have been able to work some extra shifts and save a little extra money, so I will be able to splurge on a few things that I probably could originally!................P

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Thanks all for your ideas, suggestions, and recommendations! Getting super excited for my trip.... and I have been able to work some extra shifts and save a little extra money, so I will be able to splurge on a few things that I probably could originally!................P

I know you will have a great time with your family. Bermuda is so beautiful. Something cool if you wanna semi splurge is the James Bond power snorkel trip. We did not do it there but did elsewhere and it was fun.

 

[maxaroni]

Please let us know how your trip went when you get back. You will have a great time.

Thanks all for your ideas, suggestions, and recommendations! Getting super excited for my trip.... and I have been able to work some extra shifts and save a little extra money, so I will be able to splurge on a few things that I probably could originally!................P

 

[pjlla]

I know you will have a great time with your family. Bermuda is so beautiful. Something cool if you wanna semi splurge is the James Bond power snorkel trip. We did not do it there but did elsewhere and it was fun.

I did see that offered somewhere.... it definitely looks like fun!!

Please let us know how your trip went when you get back. You will have a great time.

Thanks for asking! I am getting excited but I think my DD is even more excited..... plus I told her she could come stay overnight at the resort with us for a night or two over the weekend..... so it will be more like a mini-vacation for her! She loves what she is doing, but I think she could use a break from being at the Institute day and night with the same people all the time!

I have this weekend off so I will definitely be putting some more stuff in the suitcase and firming up some plans!..................P

 

[maxaroni]

I did see that offered somewhere.... it definitely looks like fun!!



Thanks for asking! I am getting excited but I think my DD is even more excited..... plus I told her she could come stay overnight at the resort with us for a night or two over the weekend..... so it will be more like a mini-vacation for her! She loves what she is doing, but I think she could use a break from being at the Institute day and night with the same people all the time!

I have this weekend off so I will definitely be putting some more stuff in the suitcase and firming up some plans!..................P

Meant to ask you....where are you staying? We got back last weekend. Laundry is caught up and ready to go back.

 

[pjlla]

Meant to ask you....where are you staying? We got back last weekend. Laundry is caught up and ready to go back.

We are staying at the Grotto Bay resort. It was not really our first choice (can't remember what our first choice was now), but since the main goal of this trip is to visit DD, we had to stay where it was convenient to go see her (and for her to come see us). That REALLY limited our choices! Grotto Bay is about a 15-20 minute bus ride..... second choice was going to be close to an hour ride and require a bus transfer in Hamilton. Plus budget is always a concern..... wanted to not blow the whole budget, but a few of the more "budget" places we looked into were a bit sketchy sounding! If it were just me I'd be willing to risk it..... but not with my Mom along. I'll let you know the good, the bad, and hopefully NO UGLY, when I get back!...............P

 

[maxaroni]

Haven't stayed at Grotto Bay but from what I heard it's lovely. Quite a few on our plane were staying there. We passed the sign for it but didn't go down to see it. This trip for you had different factors and you had to work it around that. We traveled with my nearly 80 year old dad so had to keep him in mind. Our trip this year was to have a family vacation, going to a place my mom loved. She passed away last year and we knew she would like my DS to go to bermuda and he just graduated college. My dad is turning 80 in October and he also wanted to go back for my mom.

We are staying at the Grotto Bay resort. It was not really our first choice (can't remember what our first choice was now), but since the main goal of this trip is to visit DD, we had to stay where it was convenient to go see her (and for her to come see us). That REALLY limited our choices! Grotto Bay is about a 15-20 minute bus ride..... second choice was going to be close to an hour ride and require a bus transfer in Hamilton. Plus budget is always a concern..... wanted to not blow the whole budget, but a few of the more "budget" places we looked into were a bit sketchy sounding! If it were just me I'd be willing to risk it..... but not with my Mom along. I'll let you know the good, the bad, and hopefully NO UGLY, when I get back!...............P

 

[maxaroni]

Going to Bermuda next month with my Mom to visit DD during her semester abroad (studying at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences).

Airfare was more than I had thought it would be, but I had the $$ set aside. Mom has graciously and generously offered to pay for the resort. Now on to food....

In looking around at websites, etc, it seems like this will be pretty expensive on-island.... so I plan to bring along whatever I can. I am pretty good at cheap travel and almost ALWAYS bring along food at least for breakfasts in the room.... and this time I will plan to bring stuff for light lunches too. We are limited to what can be made with just a fridge and coffee maker (this particular resort does not offer in-room microwaves... even for a fee). But having some experience with this, I think I'm all set (although any suggestions are appreciated). I have also investigated local restaurants, markets, and food trucks.... so I think we will eat healthy and well on our budget!

We will buy a 7 day bus pass.... Mom isn't keen on the idea of renting a moped and driving on the left, so I'll defer to her comfort level on this one. I know that an unlimited bus pass will be best because it won't leave us nickel and diming every decision to venture out.

In looking around at various activities around the island, they are all pretty expensive. The one day tour I looked into was $175/pp for just the day (that being said, it did include transportation and lunch). The most affordable things I was able to find were mini golf (not really interested) and cave tours (but my Mom is pretty claustrophobic and has already said "have fun without me"). Of course, we will visit lots of beaches and go snorkeling whenever/where ever possible (bringing our own equipment), and I will take in whatever local history I can. We will, of course, visit the Swizzle Inn for a rum swizzle, collect shells and sea glass, and enjoy the local nature and architecture. But it would be nice to have some sort of idea about really SPECIFIC things to do (on a budget).

Any suggestions for enjoying Bermuda ON THE CHEAP?? Thanks in advance...............P

Would love to know about your trip,

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

It's been years since I have been, but I enjoyed visiting the Crystal Caves and Historic St. George. The beaches and snorkeling were also nice, but I don't remember which specific ones we visited; plus, you can do beaches and snorkeling anywhere.

 

[pjlla]

Would love to know about your trip,

It's been years since I have been, but I enjoyed visiting the Crystal Caves and Historic St. George. The beaches and snorkeling were also nice, but I don't remember which specific ones we visited; plus, you can do beaches and snorkeling anywhere.

Well.... the trip was wonderful! Not as active as I had originally thought, since my Mom sprained her ankle 10 days before we left, but we still did lots! Snorkeling.... I have a new-found love of that! We saw rainbow parrotfish, green sea turtles, squid, octopus, tangs.... SO MUCH! Of course, it didn't hurt that we had DD (a marine biology student) with us when we saw most of the really "good stuff"! She is the turtle whisperer! She promised us that we would see sea turtles and she had spotted one within 2 minutes of putting our bags down on Clearwater Beach!!

The resort was VERY NICE.... not crazy luxurious, but very nice. We enjoyed afternoon tea (for free) one day, we ate in one of the restaurants one night (nice, not SUPERB.... not terribly pricey for the area). Room was clean and we had a beautiful view. That being said, it is NOT the place for someone with a mobility issue! 497 steps from our hotel room door to the beach.... and that was all downhill (and of course, back up hill on the return trip). Front desk, bell station, concierge, maids were all outstandingly helpful and polite! (Still working on my Trip Advisor report.) The only negative I would report is that many business run on "island time"..... if the internet says they open at 11 am, take taht with a grain of salt! They may not open until 2pm.... or whenever the owner decides to get there!

We didn't see as much as I thought we would because of my Mom's ankle.... any place that wasn't RIGHT on the bus line we had to take a taxi to..... so that made any extra exploring too expensive. But we saw a LOT of St. George's (I love history), saw 6-8 beautiful beaches (including PINK SAND), spent a half day in Hamilton (that was more than enough.... didn't like the city), and snorkeled in several locations.

It was beautiful and a great SHORT FLIGHT from New England!! I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a relaxing warm beach vacation in a SAFE location.... I never felt NOT SAFE anywhere we went. The people were all SUPER friendly and INCREDIBLY polite (including lots of school children we met).

Thanks for asking!...................P

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Thanks for coming back and telling us about your trip. I knew you would love it!!

 

[maxaroni]

Sounds like an awesome trip despite your moms ankle. I am sure seeing your DD was wonderful too.

I was stunned to find out the busses were not handicapped accessible. We didn't need it but when my mom got sick, my dad would have loved to be able to take her away for a bit. They were world travelers and my moms illness brought a halt to that. Mom loved Bermuda and we are in NJ so a short flight. Medical care is fairly good if needed. However mom would have needed a wheelchair. We saw that the busses would not have been an option. Also, so many taxis are vans and that would have been difficult. Dad is grateful he didn't wind up taking mom.

Taxis are not inexpensive. Also, busses don't travel all roads. We had a similar issue with the beach as far as walking many steps up/down hills

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip.