Reviewed By Angus
For people who want to be certain of good service and friendly locals, Bermuda is a wonderful bet. The people there are the most gracious I have encountered on a tropical island and the most competent. Things work in Bermuda more effectively than in the Bahamas or the Caribbean. Bermuda is manicured and everyone keeps their properties in perfect shape. There were several things I didn’t like about Bermuda that I found offputting. The roads are so narrow that you really can’t walk on them. Beaches are private and interrupted by rock formations so you can’t walk any distance. You can’t rent a car – busses are good and you can rent scooters. The roads are very scary as Bermuda is so small and the roads are so narrow and twisty. Bermuda is a bit dull compared to places like Barbados where there appears to be more local culture. Bermuda appeals to people who don’t like anything foreign and want things to be the way they are back home.
Ariel Sands resort is small and the original buildings were erected in 1954. There are three or four units in each of the cottages and the outsides are painted nicely. Inside each room is new furniture (Tommy Bahama design). Each room has a small refrigerator that can hold juice, fruit, milk etc. Each room has a sea view and has a patio or balcony. The rooms do look quite old and although the plumbing works it is a bit slow. The property is well maintained and thoroughly clean. They spent % million US on it in the past two years updating and refurbishing it.
The main building is quite nice with a small but attractive lobby, wonderful sitting rooms where they serve afternoon tea and there is dining both inside but mostly outside the building. In bad weather they can serve everyone inside. I loved the fact that breakfast was included in the room rate. It was buffet breakfast with good variety. You really didn’t feel like eating again until afternoon tea was served at 4:00 p.m. Dinners there are very good but costly.
There is a very attractive crescent –shaped beach and plenty of room for the big umbrellas and chaises. Because Ariel Sands is small, I never once felt that the place was crowded or busy, yet it looked pretty full. The jewel of the beach were two coral stone salt water pools that were built like infinity pools in that the ocean waves would wash into the pools thus keeping the water circulating. The pools seemed so natural that you forgot almost that they were swimming pools. Tropical fish swim in and out of the pools and that is very appealing. The one disappointment with the beach is that there are a lot of large rocks in the water and you have to step carefully when you go swimming there. Most people used the pools although the snorkeling was good right close to shore.
They have a spa for women there which was popular and I used their well-equipped gym everyday.
What I liked most about Ariel Sands is that it attracts quiet and successful people who know how to behave. People were quiet, respectful and clearly used to traveling. If someone noisy or aggressive were to come along, they would stand out like a sore thumb. The staff were truly gracious and if something didn’t work, it generally received immediate attention. When I had plumbing problems, the plumber came quite quickly and he told me that I would have to be moved to another suite because the work would take quite a long time to complete and get this, he actually went into the hotel and made the move happen. I got upgraded to a far nicer room. In Barbados, this would have taken much longer to accomplish because staff there don’t have any authority and I would have had to go and lobby management. I also appreciate that everyone called you by name, that they always wished me good morning and they continued to enquire about whether I was having a good time.
One downside, if you are looking for new and shiny at Ariel Sands you will be disappointed. I have discovered something about traveling – sometimes the most fancy places are not the places where you find the best people – I find high quality guests are often those people who are confident in their success and don’t need everything to be shiny new – so, Ariel Sands is a very dignified comfortable place for people who are financially and socially secure. I would highly recommend it to most people but not to those who want to have excitement, nightlife and glitter. Dinner is nightlife at Ariel Sands.
Angus
