We recently stayed here for a week. Hazel and her family are extremely hospitable! The staff is very nice. However, based on the previous reviews and Frommer's recommendations (Frommer highly recommended this guest house), I was expecting a beautiful boutique bed and breakfast (like the ones you find here in New York, out in the Hamptons or North Fork), which it was not. It's a quaint, family run bed and breakfast. Clean and charming. The property is right on the harbor - but it's not really a beach. Also, the included breakfast is very simple, consisting of eggs, toast, pancakes or cereal. The eggs and pancakes were often burnt. The poached eggs resembled more hard boiled eggs. I guess you get good value for your money, as the property is relatively inexpensive for Bermuda standards.

TRANSPORTATION/ACCESSIBILITY TO SOUTH SHORE BEACHES
The Salt Kettle ferry to Hamilton doesn't run as often anymore, especially during the weekends or holidays. The buses don't really stop nearby, and you would have to go back to Hamilton then take a bus from Hamilton to get to the South Shore beaches (or take a cab or scooter), even though Paget is just across from the South Shore beaches. Buses go from the east to west end of the island, not really north and south. Paget is also residential, which makes it great and quiet, but far from restuarants and a little out of the way from beaches. We cooked most nights, but during the nights we decided to eat out, we took a cab since we weren't comfortable driving the scooter at night.

OVERALL
It was a good experience. I felt safe and relaxed. Hazel, her family and staff were very accomodating and hospitable! I am glad I went, but I probably won't return - this is partly because of my general sentiment about Bermuda. I think Bermuda's a great place, but I won't return anytime soon. I feel like there are more beautiful islands/places to see and experience.

My wife and I stayed at the Salt Kettle House for eight nights the first week of July 2011. We booked our accommodations based on the recommendations we found here on Tripadvisor. As others have already written, I highly recommend the Salt Kettle House at the risk of never being able to book a room there in the future because of its increasing popularity. We were met at the airport and driven to Salt Kettle which enjoys harbor frontage across from Bermuda's capital Hamilton. The owner Hazel met us at registration and introduced us to her son John who was taking over the management of this family business. We had the use of a large air-conditioned double with private bath at the back of the house. We paid $85 per night per person. At our first Salt Kettle breakfast my wife and I were amazed at the large number of house guests we met with major multiple return visits here. One personable New Jersey couple have visited at this house for more than 25 consecutive years! This was more the rule than the exception with everyone we met at breakfast. We had no unfavorable experiences here and would book here again. We recommend the purchase of the Bermuda unlimited public transportation pass which you can purchase at the Hamilton ferry ticket office. Unlimited travel on all Bermuda public transportation (bus and ferry) for a week for about $45 per person. Bermuda motorbike rentals are somewhat pricey at about $60 per day. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Salt Kettle House and are counting the days until our return there next time.

Salt Kettle House was recommended to us by an administrative assistant at the Bermuda Institute off Ocean Sciences where our daughter had a summer internship. From tripadvisor, we knew that it had a eccentric reputation, which we found well-founded. The first people we met were a couple that had been visiting for 25 years. The second were to be married the next day in the garden; for him the first trip to Bermuda; for her, the first in 23 years!

My daughter loved the Tower Room; and bonded with Hazel, who regaled us stories of living in Africa for 30 years before retiring to Bermuda and opening this bed & breakfast. Now her sons and daughters visit frequently to help out.

We traveled mostly by water ferry (stop is 3 minute's from Hazel's) and bus, but all the taxi drivers knew the way and told us who among their relatives had worked for Hazel. (The "regulars" all rented motor scooters.)

Bermuda is just an easy 1-1/2 flight from the east coast , and so an economic alternative to the east coast beaches with more moderate weather. My wife plans on returning for a relaxing weekend with girlfriends.

My daughter is thinking more in terms of destination weddings among the luxurious gardens.

First of all, Hazel, her family, and staff are worth the stay. They are extremely hospitable and kind hosts. Salt Kettle House had an amazing breakfast, nice guest accommodations, and the most relaxing hammock with a view of the harbor and Hamilton. We ended every night with a ferry ride back home, cooked dinner in our room, and ate on our porch. We would make dark n' stormys, turn on some jazz music, and enjoy the view.

When we make it back to Bermuda, we'll stay here. Hands down.