This was a great long weekend for my birthday. The Fairmont lived up to all my expectations. We booked semi-last minute due to our original Bahama trip being canceled due to hurricane damage at the hotel. Expedia got us a great deal into the Fairmont, and we still got a beautiful ocean view room with balcony, dressing room and marble bath. Immaculately clean and well kept every day. The entire hotel (and island) is clean and beautifully maintained, all the sitting areas and pool are great. The Willow Stream Spa is maginificent and I could spend the entire day there every day. When the weather did not cooperate is was great to be able to be at the indoor pool with the doors open to still get the feeling of being "outside." Everyone one the staff at the hotel was cheerful and charming.

Yes, everything is as expensive as they tell you it is, but it is an island so everything is imported, but it's worth it. If you are looking for a "cheap" vacation, this hotel and island are not the place for you.

Just came back from a five day stay at the Southampton. I actually found the hotel to be all I expected. Service was prompt and pleasant but unfortunately the weather was not as pleasant. As for the restaurants there I found the Newport Room to be a big letdown. Service was impecable but the food was just not worth the steep prices. We were on the meal plan there and ate there 1 night and the Waterlot twice. Our first meal at the Waterlot was great but second was so bad I had to send back my dish. I highly suggest Bacci since I wasn't expecting much from that place I was highly impressed with both the service and friendly and helpful staff. Rooms at the hotel were pretty much standard and staff was helpful and friendly. I will definitely go back to Bermuda but most likely will try another hotel or cottage colony since I saw many that seemed to be just as nice and had better beaches and overall everyone is friendly.

We stayed here in 2002, so perhaps before renovations- I don't know. This place was an overpriced, glorified Holiday Inn. I don't believe some of the "stellar" reviews that others have supposedly written. I do recall, and I noticed in another review, that the service in Jasmine was superb. The staff was nice enough, but this place did not live up to expectations. No disrespect to folks in their golden years, but I wouldn't recommend going to Bermuda unless you are over 70. Bermuda, to me, stepped right out of the 1970s era of tennis and short shorts, though run down after a couple of decades.

My boyfriend & I just returned from a 4-night stay @ the Southampton Princess. Words could not describe our stay in Bermuda - a fairytale that came true. Here are a few tips if you are able & willing to have the time of your life!

*HOTEL... extremely beautiful, but not on the beach. The beach is only a 5 minute ride away & a convenient shuttle runs every 10-25 minutes...but understand it's not on the beach. We chose an upgrade to the GOLD floor - an extra $100 per night. Well worth the money... we went from a room with 2 double beds & no view to a King with the most beautiful ocean & sunset view - This was room 672. The GOLD package included a wonderful breakfast buffet, unlimited bottle water/soft drinks & evening buffet of cheese, appetizers etc.

*BEACH - very beautiful & there is an easy passage near the shuttle stop to an even prettier beach - Horseshoe Bay. *Snorkeling is amazing right off the hotel beach (swim to the right towards the old dolphin pools) and just up the road at Church Bay. No need to go any further.... (Scuba from the hotel/site = Mary Celeste? near Sonesta was just OK). P.S. our secret (private) cove was in the snorkeling vicinity.... if you are REALLY LUCKY you just may find it :-)

*DINING - Aqua (@ Ariel Sands) Asia Fusion cuisine - Wonderful food/wonderful evening. Make sure you request a table closest to the ocean. Coconuts (@ The Reef's) Wonder dinner...inclusive 4-courses $65 pp. You can dine on the beach for $90 pp. Extremely romantic, beautiful atmosphere. Salt Rock Grille in Sonesta - more of a local place. You can dine outside/water view... nice night. Great live music. Henry VIII - great lunch/food & great Sunday night music. We tried the Bermuda Chowder everywhere - including Hog Penny in Hamilton. Every place was a little different - Loved it!

*Back to the HOTEL.... really, really fancy - but you won't be disappointed. Try the hot tubs near the indoor pool/spa, dancing in the wine cellar, walk on the newlywed path and watch the sun rise from the bench on the top of the hill. This hotel is close to the most beautiful beaches on the island, near great dining and has everything you could possibly need or want. If your stay is only 1/2 as good as ours was, you won't be disappointed!