Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hotel Dining
Chances are, you'll take more meals at
your hotel in Bermuda (where you can't
rent a car) than you would in other des-
tinations. Although you're generally out
and about for lunch, many visitors don't
care to hire an expensive taxi or take
a bike or motorbike along Bermuda's
narrow roads at night in search of a
spot for dinner. As a result, you're often
stuck at your hotel for meals, and there-
fore you might want to consider food
options when deciding where to stay.
You may see some unfamiliar terms and abbreviations used to describe rate plans.
AP
(American Plan), sometimes called “full board,” includes three meals a day.
MAP
(Modified American Plan), sometimes called “half-board,” includes breakfast and
dinner.
BP
(Bermuda Plan) includes full American or English breakfast.
CP
(Conti-
nental Plan) includes only continental breakfast (basically bread, jam, and coffee).
EP
(European Plan) is always cheapest—it includes only the room, no meals.
4
RESORT HOTELS
Very Expensive
SOUTHAMPTON PARISH
The Fairmont Southampton
Sitting atop Bermuda's highest point,
this resort is the largest, most comprehensive, and most luxurious property on the
island. It overlooks the ocean, the bay, and its own beach, located in front of the hotel.
The hotel's beach is sheltered in a jagged cove, flanked by cliffs. The atmosphere is
mahogany-trimmed conservatism, glowing and rich-looking and perhaps a little bit
uptight and stuffy for some. This mammoth resort stands on 40 gloriously manicured
hectares (99 acres).
It's often compared to its sibling,
The Fairmont Hamilton Princess
(p. 69),
which is situated in a more urban environment. This hotel is not necessarily the place
for travelers looking for a sense of isolation and an intimate, romantic hideaway; in
fact, its biggest drawback is that it's a favorite with conventions and tour groups.
Nonetheless, along with
Tucker's Point
(p. 72) and
Elbow Beach
(p. 69), it is
considered one of the finest choices for the well-heeled family looking for a place
with virtually everything on-site.
The Fairmont Southampton is decorated in a tastefully conservative style with rare
but usually welcome touches of glitziness and razzmatazz, always with well-uphol-
stered furnishings and a sense of airy spaciousness. The plush guest rooms each have
a private veranda with a sweeping view of the water. Rooms are spacious, each with
a larger-than-expected balcony. For those who can afford it, the choicest accommoda-
tions are on the Fairmont Gold floor, where guests are offered an array of services
including private check-ins, complimentary continental breakfast, newspapers, and
the use of a fax and VCR.
The cuisine is among the island's finest—we recommend several of the resort's
restaurants even if you're not staying here. Choices include
Wickets
(p. 101), the
Newport Room
(p. 97), the
Ocean Club
(p. 99), the
Waterlot Inn
(p. 97), and
Bacci
(p. 98). Nightlife is a bit staid here, and not every restaurant has a bar that's
open to nondiners (the Waterlot Inn does). Jasmine's Lounge has an active singles
