The Bermuda Department of Tourism provides a pictorial Where to Stay listing of all licensed tourist accommodation, and also a separate Accommodation Rates, which includes rates, packages, taxes, etc: both are available in brochure form and also online (website: www.bermudatourism.com). Reduced rates are available during the Golf and Spa, or ‘low’ season, which runs from November to March, and there are many special package tours for special interest holidays. A Government tax, called Hotel Occupancy Tax, of 7.25 per cent is added to hotel bills on check-out, and a service charge - or gratuity charge - of between 10 and 15 per cent is also added to the final bill.

These feature a main clubhouse with dining room, lounge and bar. The cottage units are spread throughout landscaped grounds and offer privacy and luxury. Though most have kitchenettes for beverages or light snacks, they are not self-catering units. All have their own beach and/or pool.

Resort hotels and smaller hotels are both of a high standard. The resort hotels offer a range of facilities including shops, restaurants, organised entertainment, beauty salon, spa and taxi rank. They usually have their own beach or beach club and pool(s). Several have their own golf course. Resort hotels and small hotels usually offer a choice of meal plans. Grading: There is no formal grading system in Bermuda. There is only a meal plan structure: MAP, AP, BP, CP and EP. MAP is Modified American Plan; breakfast and dinner included with the price of the room, plus, in some places, British-style afternoon tea. AP is American Plan; room, breakfast, lunch and dinner. BP is Bermuda Plan; room and full breakfast only. CP is Continental Plan; room and light breakfast. EP is European Plan; room only. Resort hotels with many facilities make up about 7 per cent of accommodation in Bermuda. Smaller hotels (around 16 per cent) have fewer than 150 rooms. Normally less expensive than the self-contained resorts, they have smaller-scale on-site facilities for shopping and entertainment and are less formal.

Most of these properties are historical Bermuda homes in lush garden settings modernised into comfortable guest rooms. Bed & Breakfast, a small guest house concept, offers an intimate and traditional setting. Inns, usually larger and more spacious, also include a lounge and provide the feeling of a guest house on a more formal and grand scale. A few have their own waterfront and/or pool. Grading: Most Bed & Breakfast establishments and inns offer BP or CP plans. All offer relaxed living. Some have kitchenette units while others provide shared kitchen facilities for preparation of snacks. The bed & breakfast establishments and inns constitute 50 per cent of accommodation in Bermuda.

These are noted for privacy and luxury and are for members or by introduction only. There are two club resorts on the main island.

This is self-catering accommodation, otherwise known as housekeeping cottages. The large category consists of properties situated in landscaped estates with their own beach and pool, much like cottage colonies, but without a main club-house. The smaller category is less expensive with fewer amenities. All units of both categories have full kitchen or kitchenette facilities and offer mostly the EP plan; the BP and CP plan is available at only some. All of the accommodation in this category are nonetheless comfortable. Some have a pool and all have minimal daily maid service.

There are no camping facilities for visitors in Bermuda.

Bermuda Hotel Association
61 King Street, Hamilton HM 19, Bermuda
Tel: 295 2127.
Website: www.bermudahotels.com