Useful Information About Bermuda

• Location: Contrary to popular belief, Bermuda is NOT part of the Caribbean. It is actually about 1000 km north in the Atlantic Ocean, 650 miles east of the United States and at roughly the same latitude as Charleston, South Carolina. Because of the Gulf Stream passing near the island, Bermuda’s waters are bathtub warm in the summer. In fact, they get most of their visitors in the summer months when those Caribbean islands are too hot to visit.

• Time Zone: Bermuda is 3 hours behind GMT. It observes Daylight Savings Time.

• Weather: The best weather is experienced between May and mid-October. During the winter months it averages a balmy 21 degrees Celsius, making it a great winter sun holiday alternative to the Canary Islands and ideal for a golf holiday.

It’s rare for hurricanes to affect the island of Bermuda. Nevertheless, hotel operator members of the Bermuda Hotel Association created the hurricane guarantee so you can book with confidence any time of year. The guarantee provides refunds or future complimentary stays.  (*Terms and conditions apply. Click here to view a copy of the Hurricane Guarantee for details). It’s also worth noting the following:

• The island usually gets plenty of advance notice of an approaching storm.
• The emergency services are very well-versed in storm preparation.
• Bermuda’s stone buildings are incredibly strong and many have withstood hurricanes for centuries.

• Currency: While the U.S. dollar is not the official currency of Bermuda — Bermuda does have its own official currency, the Bermuda dollar — the U.S. dollar is equally accepted within the country and, in fact, may be more widely used overall.

• Telephones: The area code for Bermuda is 441. Most Irish mobile phones work in Bermuda but check with your local service provider to be sure … and watch out for those expensive roaming costs.

• Clothing: April to October is the time when the weather in Bermuda is at its best and quite warm. During the peak summer time you can wear sports clothes and swimsuits on the beaches, but not elsewhere, and bare feet anywhere except the beach or pool is not accepted. You also may like to carry a raincoat or a light weight wind breaker in case of rain. You can generally wear casual sportswear in restaurants during lunch time. In the evenings most restaurants require smart casual dress so it’s best to check in advance. In general, the dress code is more conservative than elsewhere. There are no nude or semi-nude beaches in Bermuda.

• Tipping: Hotels in Bermuda charge a daily gratuities rate as well as the Hotel Occupancy Tax and Tourism Guest Fee. Aloha Holidays includes these charges in your package price so there is no requirement to leave an additional tip on departure. When it comes to restaurants, most will automatically add a tip to your bill, usually 15-17 per cent. Taxi drivers expect a tip of about 15%, more if they’ve done some heavy lifting. Gas station attendants are usually tipped about $2.

• Transport: Exploring the 22 mile long chain of islands is done by taxi, ferry or scooter since visitors are not permitted to hire a car in Bermuda. As you travel you’ll notice there are no billboards and no neon lighting, so every view is a postcard and you will be swept away by the island’s beauty from the moment you land.

•Activities: golf, horse riding, swimming with dolphins, visiting the glittering ‘Crystal Caves’, great fishing, snorkelling and other water sports. Individual hotels offer other activities such as tennis, mini golf, etc. There are also fascinating museums and historical attractions, tours and cultural events to enjoy.

Other recommended hotels in Bermuda – please ask us for details & prices:

5* Fairmont Southampton Princess – An outstanding resort hotel with great facilities. Standing on top of one of the highest points in Bermuda, the hotel offer panoramic views across the island. This luxury resort is set amid breathtaking gardens and its own, challenging and exclusive par-3 golf course. It offers its own private beach club, indoor and outdoor pool deck, tennis courts and fine dining. Every room has its own private balcony.

3* The Royal Palms – This intimate, quality estate hotel is family owned and operated. It is a fine example of Bermudian architecture in a tranquil garden setting. Only a short walk from the centre of Hamilton, facilities include a restaurant, lounge and bar, terraces and garden pool.  Rooms are spacious and richly decorated. Mini-suites and cottages set around the garden has small kitchens.

5* Fairmont Hamilton Princess – This charming, historic hotel is set on the waterside in Bermuda’s capital, Hamilton. It is a 5 minute stroll to the heart of the town with its wide range of shops, bars and restaurants. Public transport (bus and ferry) are steps away giving easy access to the rest of the island. As well as enjoying the dining facilities on site, guest may dine at the Princess’ sister property, The Fairmont Southampton.

5* Elbow Beach Bermuda – Set in 50 lush acres of manicured gardens, overlooking one of the best pink sand beaches in Bermuda, Elbow Beach is part of the Mandarin Oriental group of hotels. Choose from rooms or suites in the main hotel or one of the recently refurbished lanais (cottage-style suites) in the grounds. Dine at one of several restaurants in the hotel and pool-side or browse in the hotel’s own shopping arcade.