9 Beaches’ slogan “Do the unexpected Bermuda” is completely accurate as well as misleading.

When planning our honeymoon, we did a great deal of research on 9 Beaches and read many reviews. Deciding that we fit better into flip flops than stilettos, we booked our nine day honeymoon at 9 Beaches. While the ultra casual environment, beaches, and breathtaking snorkeling make 9 Beaches a perfect weekend getaway location, the “unexpected” aspects of 9 Beaches make a longer trip less than ideal.

Snorkeling/Beaches: True to its name, the beaches were the most amazing part of 9 Beaches. We brought our own snorkel gear and had the most amazing time. Unlike Hawaii, the Bahamas, or other beach destinations (even those in Bermuda) the beaches (except for the main and public beaches) were largely unspoiled, relatively secluded, and the snorkeling was breathtaking. We saw hundreds of fish, amazing coral reefs, and even small boat wrecks. We swam each day for hours and hours and this was truly the best part of our vacation.

Cost: We selected 9 Beaches’ “Romance Package” in a “Top Banana Cabana” which cost us an average of $467.03 per night, but when factoring in taxes our actual cost was an average of $555.72 per night not including food or activities. When we arrived, we were issued a coupon book to redeem the items included in the Romance Package and sent off to cabana #15 (the subject of a July 6, 2008 review). Later when we tried to redeem the coupon for champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries we were told 24 hours notice was required and we were given a lengthy order form that we had to complete and submit to the front desk—not very romantic. Surprisingly, the bottle of “champagne” included in this costly package was actually Korbel Brut sparkling wine (average retail price $11.00 US).

Service: We were extremely surprised by 9 Beaches’ lack of hospitality. Staff members ranged from pleasant to morose, with the vast majority of staff acting simply indifferent. When the tropical storm (Hurricane Bertha) hit, the social atmosphere became gloomy and most staff seemed downright depressed. It appeared that many of the staff members reside in a complex on the resort property and we observed some staff working what appeared to be over 12 hour shifts—which may explain the lack of morale. Some mornings the wait staff at breakfast sat us and offered us coffee or tea, and some mornings they ignored us. The fact that each day there was a yummy display of fresh fruit at the complimentary breakfast with a sign that read something to the effect of “Please Do Not Take The Fruit, It Is For Display Only” summed up 9 Beaches’ approach to hospitality.

Cabana #15: The location of our cabana, at first, appeared perfect. It was relatively secluded compared to the opposite side of the resort which looks like a densely populated campground, and our cabana was located right on the glorious ocean. The furnishings were spartan, but comfortable. It wasn’t until the tropical storm hit that we realized the limitations of our cabana. Thankfully we remained safe, but the power went out, the smoke detector wailed, the interior got soaked, and because the soft-sided cabanas on stilts have plenty of give to withstand hurricane forces we felt seasick literally days after leaving. Even without the fluke tropical storm, the cabana was consistently hot and muggy with little relief from the ineffective air conditioning unit, there was a great deal of subtle swaying movement, and we experienced another power outage not related to the storm.

Housekeeping: Housekeeping certainly kept us guessing. Our bed got damp and our bedspread was soaked during the tropical storm. When housekeeping took our soaked rugs out of the cabana they also took our bedspread and used a double beach towel we received as a wedding gift as a makeshift bedspread. Oddly, after a day they brought back the rugs, but they never brought back our bedspread—instead they continued to make our bed each day with our beach towel (see photo).

The Public Beach: As evening fell on our first day, we quickly discovered we were not as secluded in our cabana as we thought. In fact, our cabana was located on a public beach that on Friday and Saturday nights serves as the place for Bermudians to be and be seen. As dusk fell, several cars with amazing rims, motorcycles, and scooters passed our cabana with blaring music and thumping bass. When we ventured out on the path behind our cabana to walk to the lobby, we were honked at to get out of the “road.” During the course of our stay the public beach was filled with parties, kayak tours, and daycare fieldtrips. We also were hit with the odor of the farm on one particularly hot day. When we spoke to 9 Beaches they offered us a cabana change, but it was to a unit tucked closely between other cabanas so we stayed put.

Location: 9 Beaches is far removed from most of the restaurants, activities, and sites in Bermuda and transportation is very costly. We found our options for exploring or dining beyond the resort very limited—thankfully we were able to walk to town to get groceries which we kept in our cabana’s mini-fridge. We even had to walk to Cambridge Beaches for the couple’s massage that came with our Romance Package. While normally a 20-minute walk would be great, the sweltering mid-day heat coupled with the extremely narrow road littered with junk and road kill did not set a very romantic tone.

Overall: The natural beauty and beaches make 9 Beaches a great place to go for perhaps a weekend, but at over $550 per night, the lack of service, extremely high cost of food, activities, and transportation, coupled with the secluded location makes 9 Beaches a poor choice for an extended vacation—particularly a honeymoon. Thankfully, 9 Beaches permitted us to break our reservation and leave early. We scurried off to the Fairmont Hamilton Princess where we missed the beaches, but for about the same nightly price ($561.39 including fees and taxes) we were greeted with amazing hospitality, service, and entertainment. The Princess staff even congratulated us on our marriage—a small gesture that meant a lot to us after a long seven days at 9 Beaches.

When we first arrived at 9 Beaches we knew that it was so different from the rest of the resorts. It was so relaxing and the island was breath taking. The staff was so full of positive energy and made you feel like you were their long time friends. We have never experienced such a pleasant and exuberating atmosphere. It was so beautiful to be in love and in a place full of love. The cabana's were perfect. No tv and no disturbance. You went to sleep listening to the peaceful ocean and woke up to the same. There are 9 beautiful beaches surrounding the resort and we made use of all of them. The food was delicious and the drinks were too. The Hi-Tide restaurant was just the right atmosphere for a lovely dinner for two or more if you like. As well as the Dark N' Stormy grill. Wonderful food and right on the water where you can view the beautiful turquoise and blue ocean. Then when you have finished eating you can rent a variery of water activity items such as kayaks, snorkeling gear, hobie cat sailboats and more. We were very well taken care of and I hope the staff are well taken care of too. They deserve it. If you are planning a vacation and you want nothing but relaxation and peace, please go to 9 Beaches. They are the ideal resort for that type of person. No dress codes and as they say on their website, "flip flops are required." We will be returning to 9 Beaches next year and look forward to seeing the same friendly faces we encountered while we were there. Enjoy, because you wil be able to do nothing else!

We had a great time at 9Beaches celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary,its about an hour ride from the airport but its worth every dime....I'll never forget the feeling when we saw our cabana #81 Windward,a lovely setting with a nice sea breeze thru-out the day...great staff and food...loved the breakfast.9Beaches gets an A plus. Percy & Jennifer M.

We went to 9 Beaches for our 10th anniversary-our first trip to Bermuda. We read lots of reviews which had very mixed opinions. We really were interested in some peace and quiet, laid back atmosphere, snorkelling and fell in love with the Paradise Pier cabanas for the most oceanfront views I have ever seen. ( We have stayed many places throughout the Carribean--just looked like Figi just closer!)

From the airport we got the little buss9 Beaches had arranged. The resort is a 20-30 minutes ride, but enjoy the views along the way.

When we arrived to 9 Beaches we were not disappointed one bit! Check in went smoothly with a complimentary rum swizzle. Checked the watersports and tours available. Hopped our golf cart for a ride to our cabana. The cabana view was awesome with the sunrise to our right and sunset to our left from our very own balcony. (we stayed in #53) The deck was our favorite place. The cabana was clean, tastefully decorate and comfortable. It didn't have alot of extra spacebut it had everything we needed. The addition of the room safe is very nice. I loved the ocean breezes to cool the place. We used the AC only once. (and it was in the mid eighties all week) No bugs--no bad smells. We had the glass window in the floor. Again--nice but the best views of fish were from the deck.

The staff was awesome everywhere. The restaurant staff was the most amazing and friendly! From the front desk and concierge we got advice on where to get some groceries for our room snacking,. More advice on a great restaurant in Somerset, the Frog and Onion and Beethovans. at the Dockyard and spent a day in Hamilton-carriage ride, shopping lunch etc. We used the mini bus, shared cabs with other 9 beach folks, and purchased a bus/ferry pass fr a couple days to get out and about. we had a later night and as we were walking back from the entrance we were treated to a pleasant surprise pickup from the golf cart. (ok we shopped all day and my feet hurt so I was especially happy for that one!)

Honestly, one day we rented snorkel equipment at 9 beaches and tarcked via bus to the "hot spots all over the island only to come home to the best snorkels at 9 beaches! The coral gardens are stunning and the fish colorful and friendly! Snugglers Cove and Daniels Head Island are most cool! We liked Snugglers Cove as a beach -very small and cozy and close to our cabana We did try others but just liked the quiet of having a beach with only 4-6 other people.

One afternoon we rented a glass bottom kayak and ventured under our cabana to the Vixen and realized it was further than it looked going against the current. We loved it when we got there and the ride back was much faster! :-0 It was alot of fun.

We had the Platinum dinner on the beach for our anniversary.
Everything was just perfect. The nice guy who kept running us course by course in the golf cart and then up/down the steps was GREAT! Dinner was very good. The view on the beach and the setting sun was the very best! Then we walked 100 yards and went home. No where else can ya do that!

We tried the Al la cart a few times. It was easy with the cell phone. Thanks Happy! Viola !!! The food and drink appeared wherever we were. (it was fun one night to just stay in our cabana and feed the fish off of our deck and have dinner delivered.


Overall the people in Bermuda are very very friendly and helpful. People went out of their way to make our stay pleasant. We were looking for a pharmacy oneday close to closing. You know--reading our map. A lady walked by and just walked us to the local pharmacy before it closed. VERY HELPFUL right? Thank heavens!

I can not say enough about the resort. Is it fancy--no and that is not what we were looking for. It was beautiful sharing with nature and just relaxing. A do what you want and when you fell like it..laid back and "hang loose" atmosphere. We would go back in a heartbeat.