I read those reviews. As far as the food goes, do you have to be on the MAP plan? You may be better off without it. Elbow Beach is right next door with a few restaurants and it is so close to town that you would have numerous options for dining there. If you could get just a breakfast plan, maybe you should just do that for convenience. They might not be on the dine around plan anymore, I am not sure.

I would not worry so much. The service will not be that of a large hotel but I am sure will be sufficient. If you are planning anything, I am sure you will know what you want before you get there and will have no problems.

Mainly and most importantly, you are on one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The location is great, and most of the reviews for the hotel are good. So stay positive and good luck!! Let us know how you make out, which I am sure will be great.

Joshula really is right about the beach there. It's so pretty. Based on that alone my husband and I were thinking about staying there. I would try and book dinners at Coconuts and Pompano if you can, and make the reservations now. Or maybe you could E-mail them to see if they would give you vouchers for a couple nights so you wouldn't always have to eat in their dining area. As far as I'm concerned, just about anyplace gets old and boring when it comes to food by the fourth night. Usually we will try to book 2 different resorts and move midweek if we can. Unfortunately, the Reefs had a five night minimum and we really wanted to stay there. Are you renting scotters? The taxi fairs may add up.

It is certainly possible that the reviews in question represent valid personal perceptions based upon personal experiences (though two, separate reviews tend to share certain similarities in the matters at issue).Nevertheless, they still represent only two negatives out of a remainder that are mainly positives.

As for the dining options and reviews, there's no accounting for tastes...but since re-openning as the Coco Reef, I haven't heard any rave (or even mildly glowing) reviews about the restaurant there. In it's past incarnation as the Stonington, its 'Norwood Room' enjoyed a well earned reputation as of the best dining rooms on Bermuda. The new restaurant, 'JUANITO'S', hasn't seemed to develop much of a reputation beyond '..okay..'.

I haven't heard any recent reports of Robin Gilbert leaving Coco Reefs...but if this were so, then it would most definitely be a loss to the hotel. Mr. Gilbert is a rock-solid, no-nonsense '..professional hotelier..', from the top of his slightly-balding pate, right down to the toes of his Bermuda knee socks...and his appointment and service as GM went a long way toward turning around a potential disaster-in-the-making.

DEAR Cannot-wait-to-GO

I see from your post you'll be in Bermuda over July 1st, Saturday....

I read in the Royal Gazette News that the biggest fundraiser event with over 6,000 island residents attending will be early on that evening (5:00?) untill ?? at the Dockyard. SO, I bet the West -end will be C,R,A,Z,Y come that day. Not a good afternoon to mopped in that direction! Better stay on your end of the island and pick another day to tour the West-end. P.S. I agree about the MAP, try to switch to BP and if they give ya flack, then tell them it isin't what they were selling you if their's no-longer a Dine-A-Round Option!

Good Luck, Have Faith and enjoy Bermuda, I'll be there right behind ya'll ( 6th time!) Our Favorite Place in the world except home!

Dear OGREATONE,

Thanks for the tip! We actually are not doing the MAP, so I am currently making dinner reservations based on suggestions made in this forum. So far, we are eating at Coconuts on Friday night and will try Baracuda, Henry VII, and maybe Port O Call as well on other evenings. We are very excited and I know that Bermuda, herself, will not disappoint.

Thanks to all who responded to my worrisome posting. I am sure everything will be great!

Sounds to me like you made some great choices! You will have a wonderful time.

Cant-Wait-To-GO

You really need to try eating one night at Elbow Beach Hotel, they have several great resterants, one right near the beach which we truly enjoyed! iT'S NOT THAT LONG OF A WALK DOWN THE BEACH FROM COCO REEF, just may be short on sand at your end if it's high tide when you venture back. Take a small flashlight and flip flops for the journey in the dark. It will be romantic, I know cause we do a stroll on the beach after twilight dinners at Coral Beach CC.

Dear OGREATONE,

That sounds great! We were thinking of checking out their nightclub called DEEP(?) as well one night. But the return trip may be dangerous after a few cocktails. Is there a best way to get there from Coco Reef by land?

Also, tell me about Sundays in Bermuda. Are many restaurants, shopping venues, etc. closed? Should Sunday be considered a good beach day and nice dinner evening?

Thanks!

I think if your not out too late or too drunk its an easy stroll down the beach with a small flashlight and some flipflops, again as long as the tide is not way high, beach changes on your end and its been 2 years since I walked Elbow Beach! Sundays good beach day usually on your end, Elbow (middle part) is public domain mostly on the weekends. Most all resterausnts are open, not many shops.

Went to Tobbacco Bay (St. Georges) once on a Sunday and their were 2 Cruise Ships full on the beaches, YUCK! Stay on your private or putt putt around to the smaller cove area's between Warwick and Horseshoe..........Gotta go now....kids.....

getting back to Coco Reef via land, either take a taxi if they'll go the short distance or walk out to the road and over to your hotel. its a long way so probably I'd opt for a taxi or the beach but be careful in the dark!

re: sunday in Bermuda......the dockyard shops are open. also its a great day to take a taxi tour! not too much traffic!

have fun!

Bonnie