Expert: Michael - 4/8/2005

Question
Michael- I just found this site and hopefully you will be able to give me some info.  My husband is taking me back to Bermuda for our 20th anniversary.  We stayed at the Stonington back then and would love to stay there again.  I understand that it is now the Coco Reef and no longer run by the Hotel school.  What are your thoughts on the Coco Reef  now.  We loved it then... will we love it now?
Susan C. from DE

Answer
Dear Susan C. from DE,

A 20th!  Wonderful.  Good for you. I hope Bermuda renews both of you as it does Linda and I each time we visit.

Ahh Coco Reefs.  I can tell you that I have spent several days at Stonington and never once since it has been Coco Reef. But how much can that pink sand stretch of beach change?  

Not having the Coco experiance I could not speak on its behalf.  My thing has been to visit various places in Bermuda just for the different experiance.  Things just never seem to match up to that very, very special time you once had.  If it were me Susan, I would go elsewhere just because I would be really bummed out if things didn't match up.  And of course it will be different than Stonington was.  No question about that.  New decor, new staff, new chef.  

I would ask, or offer, if your experiance was extremely special and you would like to duplicate it, or enjoy it at least as much, you might try elsewhere cause it will in fact be different.

If you choose to go to Coco stay open to a different experiance. That's all I can add Susan.  I wish I could tell you that you would again love it, but we cannot be certain that that "something special" will be gone.  And it may not be them, it may be your expectation.

Other lovely hotels in that vacinity and of equal calibar are honered with the name "The Bermuda collection."  They are The Reefs, Pompano, Cambridge Beaches, Pink Sand and Ariel.  Stonington was there too!

The Reefs holds the distinction of having the largest of come back clientel.  They may be the most expensive too!  If you could afford it this may be the ticket.  

Cambrige Beaches is the furthest out but claims to have the best chef on the island and each cottage is done up differently in antiques. They have seven beaches and offer a ferry to Hamilton.

We visited Pink Beach and it was devine.  Ariel is 51% owned by M. Douglas of Hollywood fame.  His family on his mom's side, the Dells, run it.  I didn't care for it and couldn't recommend it.

We loved Pompano.  It has a small beach, a lovely outdoor pool and bar facilities.  The walk to the bus stop is a bit long when warm out and your clothing may stick to you.  Not a good feeling after a days shopping in Hamilton.  But the grounds are lovely, the staff wonderful and the sunsets the most beautiful I've ever seen in Bermuda from the perspective of their lounge.

My intention Susan is not to turn you away from Coco.  But I do believe your experiance will be different.  In no way will it be the same.  Expect that.  But the tree frogs will still peep for you at night, the kiscadees will sing for you, and in general the people are still wonderful, and that great expanse of aqua-marine sea will inundate your senses.

Please let me know what you decide and upon your return let me know.  Feel free to write if you have any further inquiries.

Quo-Fata-Ferunt!

Happy planning!
Michael