I have just returned from a week stay at Clear View and can pick out the good and bad points of the suites. We hired a 2 bed villa, and had the most stunning view of the North Shore, right on the cliff tops - ask for any of the upper suites in Rose Villas and you can't go wrong - it is simply breathtaking. You can even see the fish swimming in the turquoise waters beneath you!
If not for the view, however I would have been very disappointed and may have moved to a more modern hotel! The accomodation although exceptionally cleaned (- fully cleaned, hovered and fresh linen everyday) is rather tired and dated, and is in need of updating badly. The grounds are well kept and tidy.
Landfall restaurant is not to be recommended - we ordered take away which left a lot to be desired!
The suites are also located in a more run down part of the island and taxis would be recommended to get around at night.
However I was advised that at the end of this season the owners are carrying out extensive renovation work to the whole site - which is a large one. I think this will be needed if this is to stay in business as at present there is a lot of chioce on the Island. I will be interested to see how this turns out as this site really does have a lot of potential.
Overall, the stunning views and exceptional cleaning service made up for what the villa lacked in the style of some of the modern hotels. It really depends on what you are looking for.

If you are going to Bermuda for business or vacation, the best place to stay is the property of Mr. & Mrs. Gerald & Ruth Paynter. The Clear View has been most befittingly named because its panoramas are absolutely breathtaking. As a guest you will be able to absorb them from the private balconies and patios of spacious suites. The villas are acattered at the water's edge-an ideal locale for snorkelling and fishing.
Also Landfall Restaurant , which is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner is in a turn of the century home designed by architect and artis Donald M. Kirkpatrick. Stepping onto the grounds is like stepping into "old Bermuda".

We stayed at Clearview Cottages during February of 2002 and I'm voicing my opinion now in 2005, because I just can't imagine the rooms being as bad as described by some reviewers. Keep in mind that our stay was during the slow season, so we were upgraded to an oceanfront room and had the whole apartment of four units to ourselves.

We had a pleasant experience and I can only compare it to another efficiency-style apartment (I think the Barnesdale Apartments in Paget) and say that there is always a slight musty tinge in the rooms... maybe this is true of units that aren't constantly air conditioned (dehumidified) as the ones in the large hotels.

Our linens were replaced daily, and I took a good look at the pots, pans and dishes before using them. There were no signs of bugs or other pests in the room - I checked the corners and sliding door tracks.. cleaner than my own house!

The owners were quite friendly and attentive. I see that Expedia has dropped the Clearview Cottages from its package offerings this year. If the operators are the same, I think it should remain included as a choice for budget travelers and families.

Where should I start? We asked for a non-smoking room and were next to (in the bungalow) smokers who smoked on the balcony!! We could not use our balcony or even open the doors or windows! The rooms were musty and not too clean - roaches and mice-droppings! And during our 4-day stay the room was cleaned only once! Let's just say we don't recommend it.