Where to stay when you leave.
10/09/2006 at 10:58 AM
Tags: Bermuda Hotel Reviews, Fred Bernstein, Overwater Bungalows
Following Travel + Leisure's lead, the New York Times checked out Bermuda's 9 Beaches Resort; a sort of tiki-hut Sur-Mer whose prices don't come close to rivaling the originals of this genre in Tahiti.
Even though, this cabana beach resort is easier to get to than the Tahitian versions, it's apparently a lot more smellier:
I hated it when I was in a cabin with the pungent odor of the neighboring dairy farm and slaughterhouse wafting across my cabin. I loved it when, after complaining about the smell, I was upgraded to a room at the other end of the property, where I looked out on miles of turquoise waters, coral reefs and several other cabanas (which is what 9 Beaches calls its cottages on stilts).
Fred wasn't alone in his smelly story--another couple there had to switch rooms because of the odor too.
Additionally, when T+L checked out the place they only faulted the sometimes weak interior of the stilted, over-water cabana/room. Bertstein's stay however, was riddled with problems and complaints. From the farm-like smell, lack of in-room telephone, weak air conditioner, to the 80 minute wait for his dinner and un-brûléed, crème- brûlée. Not to mention the staff's "all-too-frequent errors."
Yet Berstein wasn't in complete hell, he felt the staff, despite their errors, was energetic and making good effort. His dinner was comped, and his room was changed to accommodate to his distaste for the odor. That said, you may just wanna skip over Bermuda and head to St. Barts
Related Stories:
· Check In Check Out [New York Times]
· 9 Beaches Reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Overwater Bungalows Closer to Home [HotelChatter]
by Courtney
9/05/2006 at 4:27 PM
Tags: Overwater Bungalows, Bermuda Hotel Reviews, Michael Gross
It's a dream most people share, to stay in a hotel room lofted on stilts over a turquoise lagoon in a far away sea. Incredible, exotic, and terribly expensive...not to mention about a day's flight away. But Travel and Leisure found such a place a lot closer to home, at 9 Beaches, Bermuda.
The bungalows (which resemble golf snack shacks) and the waters of Bermuda aren't equal to the Tahiti and Maldives counterparts, but for rooms starting at $240 and a short plane ride (if you're on the East Coast that is) they are much more realistic than the $800 dollar a night rooms that are 24 hours away. Either way, when you're stilted above beautiful waters an interesting thing happens, the resort almost becomes an all-inclusive resort in the way that one feels no need to leave the grounds.
Instead of crazy nights at the hotel bar guests can chill in their room sipping wine and watching colorful fish swim below. But if you're worried about what kind of room you'll get at this significantly cheaper place, here's the answer:
At night, rows of tiny pixie lights along the boardwalk pointed the way to my cabana. It was somewhat spartan compared to a $2,000-per-night villa, but the chic and simple sea-blue-and-white décor was charming, and the all-important basics were there: hot water flowed in an instant in the bathroom; the mini-fridge was cold; there were electrical outlets to charge my computer and the complimentary cell phone the resort lends to each guest; and the queen-size bed was comfortable
But it wasn't all fun and games, an ocean storm leaked into the room during T&L reviewer, Michael Gross's visit. Still, the storm didn't damper his stay and he had a hard time leaving his bungalow.
If you're thinking Bermuda is more appealing than the Maldives (or your wallet does), the hotel is offering the fifth night free now through October 31, just bring a poncho.
Related Stories:
· Staying in an Overwater Bungalow [Travel & Leisure]
· 9 Beaches Reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Searching For The Perfect Overwater Bungalows... [HotelChatter]
by Courtney
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