USVI-On-Line

Hey forum friends, I know this is off topic , and I know it's like comparing apples to oranges, but I'm looking for info on how Bermuda compares to St. John. We love STJ, but like to explore new places and are thinking of Bermuda this summer. The resorts are unbelieveable expensive, plus we are more independent travelers, so we are looking for an apartment type place with a kitchen.
Any comments/suggestions, you can PM me since this is off topic (unless others are interested).

Thanks!!

I have been there 6 times and have a strong desire to return but I have felt pretty priced out there. When I try to put together a 5 or 6 night stay and come to the realization I can go somewhere else for 10 nights, the longer vacation keeps getting the better of me.
There is not the rental market on Bermuda that there is on STJ, that I have been able to find. But if you come up with a place that's great.
Also, no car rentals there. So it's taxi, bus (pretty good system) or moped if you are willing.
It's a beautiful place. But if you enjoy the "casualness" of STJ as far as dress goes, you won't find that in Bermuda. They are much more formal there.
You will find the people there friendly as anything though.
We have always stayed at Hamilton Princess. Liked the location on the harbor as well as the ability to walk in to town day or night. As for beach front resorts there aren't many. Ocean view but not ocean front, as many sit high up on cliffs. Elbow Beach does however, have beach front property.

Assume from your location you would fly from PHL. Who is flying there these days? I know USAir was, are they still?

Been to Bermuda twice. St John the last six years and hopefully many more. i agree with everything the previous poster said. Bermuda is beautiful. Both times i stayed there I was at Elbow Beach which is very nice. But for relaxation, a great mix of restaurants and shipping, an extrodinary variety of amazing beaches and a great time for less money, you cannot beat St. John. But that's just me.

Hi ATG, it's my bedtime but John saw this and said I had to post:

John and I honeymooned in Bermuda, courtesy of my parents. I had been there before multiple times with my family. Bermuda was John's first "tropical" location. We stayed at what is now the Wyndham (used to be a Sonesta before the hurricane). We had lots of fun even though it rained for the first five days of our ten day honeymoon. By far, we were the youngest people at the hotel (me 24, John 27). The valets would say "Hi kids!" when we came back from wherever.

After we were married, we went back three times, in groups, using apartment style accommodations. We stayed at the Surf Side Beach Club. See their website here: http://www.surfsidebermuda.com/. If you are interested in this property pm me and I'll give you more info on specific rooms, etc.

Bermuda is really different from St. John in so many ways. The snorkeling different in Bermuda. The currents are MUCH stronger in Bermuda. There is a stong undertow on a lot of the South Shore Beaches. There is really fun wave jumping though! If you are a diver, BDA is a treat, lots of wrecks fairly close offshore.

The culture of the island is defintely more formal. You need to bring dressier clothes than STJ to eat at many places.

Finally, the biggest problem with BDA for many tourists is that you cannot rent a car, and moped rentals are encouraged. I personally think this is a bad idea--not the lack of cars, because the island is small, and congested. It's more that the moped rental is allowed with really no experience, and the roads are narrow, hilly, and there are even rotaries! We personally used the available taxis and buses, but each time we were on BDA we read of moped related injuries--sometimes local, sometimes tourist.

Agreed - Bermuda & STJ are definitely like apples and oranges. I like both, but they are definitely a different flavor.

Travel Time: Bermuda is great for its proximity to the east coast, we can be there in 2 hours on a direct flight. I love that.

Feel/Atmosphere: Bermuda is GORGEOUS, some of the most beautiful flowers and landscape I've seen. Lusher than STJ but then again it is in a more temperate zone. It is a far more formal environment as many have said. You won't see local ladies in flip-flops. More likely heels for the work day. I will admit I missed the casualness of STJ while there.

Locals: As nice as you will find anywhere but again, they are more proper/formal. We were always very polite and were treated very well.

Temperature: Keep in mind that Bermuda is the same latitude as the Carolinas and quite similar in temp. We went in February and it was in the high 60s to low 70s during they day. (Locals were in winter coats I kid you not). For example, today the high will be 67 degrees whereas STJ will be in the 80s.

Don't know if that helps, but I hope it does a little.

Thanks everyone for the info - I thought I saw mentions that some of you had been to Bermuda! I didn't think it was possible that any place could be more expensive that STJ, but wow, Bermuda is crazy! Liamsaunt, I will check out your link and PM you if I have questions...MaryBeth, yes, we will be flying from PHL, Useless Air flys to Bermuda non-stop

Thanks again!

My husband and I loved Bermuda, but I don't think he'd allow me to haul him around on a moped again! We rented a moped and I have to drive! And Bermuda is so expensive. We'd go back there though!

I have to admit, I got spoiled on my trips to Bermuda. A friend was living there so all I had to do was jump on the quick flight over and stay with her! LOVED it there, but like everyone else said, it is expensive. And I really do prefer the laid back atmosphere of St John.

Oh, and you have to dress up for dinner!

My wife just got back from a week in Bermuda only 3 weeks after returning from Saint John. Distilling her observations to one pro and one con comparing Bermuda to St. John-

Pro - Very Clean.

Con - Boring Food (English influence)

Bermuda was OK but it is hands down STJ for us.

LOOOVVVEEEEE Bermuda...Husband surprised me for our 20th. We went there for our honeymoon . It is really nice for a couple. I wouldn't want to spend a vacation there with the kids. We stayed at Pompano Beach and loved it! but it is NOT STJ!!!!

I've been to Bermuda just once, but loved it. Its such an easy trip from Philly---go for it. Its not St. John---more formal and British---but it has its own unique culture. We stayed at the Southampton Princess, which was great, but there are so many good hotels there. We visited The Reefs, which is just a gorgeous small hotel on a cliff with a picture-perfect pink sand beach below. Definitely want to go back someday. Just wish it were a little warmer there in January, when its 20 below in Des Moines.

Hi,

We love Bermuda - been 4 or 5 times in the last 10 years. It is such an easy flight from Boston, we typically do an extra long weekend.

The island is beautiful and fun to explore. We've done the moped thing (Don drives) for daytime exploring; but stick to taxi's in the evening.

I had low dining expectations on our first trip, but was quite surprised at the number of wonderful restaurants - both casual and formal. Portofino's, PawPaws and Waterloo are our favorites.

We typically go before high season hits; around Memorial Day. We spend more time golfing, than beaching. The courses are all very nice (somewhat pricey).

It's a completely different atmosphere than St. John; less of an islandy feel. Over the years it seems to have become a little more casual; many restaurants no longer require jackets/ties for dinner. Trade in Painkillers/Bushwackers for Dark&Stormys.

We've stayed at the Rosedon Hotel the last few times. It is a small hotel in Hamilton (across the street from the Princess). Easy walk to center of town, bus station and ferries.

I often frequent another forum where the participants are as obsessed with Bermuda as we are here with St. John.

If someone were to offer me a free week in Bermuda or St. John - I'd have a hard time choosing.

I just wanted to second iowaguys recommendation of the Reefs. This is a beautiful property. It's right next door to the Wyndham (Sonesta). We have been over there a few times. They also have one of the best restaurants on the island. We've not stayed there because it is always booked!