Just returned from 5 nights at 9 Beaches. This was our fourth trip to Bermuda in search for good snorkeling directly from the shore rather than having to go all the way to St. John. I check this site daily for a few weeks before a trip, so thought I would share our feelings. We are 58, retired, and take about 3 trips a year.

CHECK-IN: We arrived around 2; our cabana was ready and we were in the room very promptly.

SERVICE: I have never been at a resort with such friendly staff. I was very impressed.

CABANAS: We booked a Top Banana cabana as I wanted to be directly over the water. I was disappointed at first because we got one of the ones at the edge of the water. I was wondering why I paid more for a cabana that appeared very similar to others throughout the property that were also right on the edge of the water. I was also thinking that the plexiglass panel in the floor would be very cool. However, I now realize that it is probably a waste of money to just pay for a cabana with that panel because none of the Top Banana cabanas with floor panels are anywhere near a reef so the chances of seeing a fish swim by when you are looking through the panel are slim. I also realized as the days went on that I was just as happy being in #58 because the walk to the beach was just about right outside our door. Anyway, I loved the cabanas; my husband wasn't as thrilled (probably partly because of no TV!). I am a camper from way back as a kid, and it reminded me of upscale camping. As I have gotten older, I am less enamoured with bugs, so that concerned me. However, I didn't see a bug in our cabana or deck ever - and no flying insects in the room at night as well. We stayed at the Pompano 2-3 years ago in a water front room, and had quite a few large bugs that I found myself uncomfortable falling to sleep. So, bugs can be found anywhere. I'm not sure how more than two people can stay in a cabana although we did see guests with children. The bed was comfortable; linens changed every day. The bathroom was understandably small, but the water was plenty hot and the water pressure just fine. I would say the cabanas are about 16 x 16 feet. We never used the air conditioning as we had the bad luck of being there with winds of 15 mph every day. No rain; but winds along the coast of the Top Banana cabanas. As soon as we went a little away from our group of cabanas, it got hot. I did hear people complaining that their AC was not powerful enough. The balconys are nice size; refrigerator was included; no safes in the room, which caused an issue for us.

People have complained about the smell and its true that at the entrance, the smell is disgusting. I don't know if there are any cabanas close to the entrance, but, if so, that would definitely be a disaster. You couldn't smell anything except at the entrance.

People have also complained about the noise from cabana to cabana. I noticed that some definitely had more privacy than others just from the way they are positioned. We were at Dreams Tulum in Mexico in March in a very nice ocean front room that happened to have one of those doors that could be used to join two rooms. I could just about hear those people breathing - so again, it depends on many factors. I felt our cabana was a very peaceful and relaxing place.

FOOD: We aren't gourmet eaters. We like what I call "normal" food well prepared. There wasn't much on the evening dinner menu for us. The specials were the same each night. Most of the dinners average $34. There were salads, but again we just aren't "fancy" eaters, so I would never have ordered most of what they had to offer. Hamburger & fries were $13 - but at least it was a good burger. Pizzas were around $14 and there were also good. They have a little cart that runs around delivering your food to you. We didn't use that service, but I saw the cart around all the time. The included breakfast buffet was average - usually cold pancakes unless you were the first ones at them when they were put out; scrambled eggs that were consistently pretty good and bacon and sausage; cereals; and muffins. They prefer you to sit outside but we sat inside which meant we were most often ignored.

WATER SPORTS: We went specifically as our final attempt at trying to find good from shore snorkeling. The good news is that right off the shore from the Top Banana cabanas are a lot of large fish. There is a small outcropping of rocks and many fish are there. Also, the point to the left is a great spot. Unfortunately for us, we were there with wind. This made the water very rough and very murky. I could see the fish were there, but it was a struggle to see them. People at the resort said that it is unusual to have such rough water; however, as soon as you went to the main beach area, the water was calm. So, I tend to think that the best snorkeling area may tend to always be somewhat rough and murky. I am a strong swimmer and have snorkeled for years and I found it so discouraging, that I didn't even bother making the effort to snorkel the last day I was there. They had lots of water sport equipment that you could rent.

POOL: We never used the pool. It is very small, and if a few kids are in it I noticed that was about all the pool could handle. I could never see going purpose going to any of the islands and spending time at the pool, so I can't say what it is like all day long.

TRANSPORTATION: I knew where 9 Beaches would be located but I wasn't sure how far it was from the bus stop or market. Well, to us, it would have been a long, hot walk along a narrow winding road to the bus stop or market. We don't rent scooters as we just don't feel comfortable doing that. If you are a scooter person, then you are set. If not, you are trapped into paying $5 per person to get to the Dockyard and $5 per person to get back from the Dockyard. You will pay more if you don't catch the mini bus shuttle which stops running at 4:30 anyway. We ended up getting a taxi to get us to the Dockyard and then we hopped the ferry to Hamilton, etc. We also liked eating at the Frog and Onion at the Dockyard.

I noticed that the one day when I gave up on snorkeling and spent a few hours on the main beach, that a boat arrived with cruise ship people on it. They spent a couple hours there using the beach. I recognized the signature striped towels. Although there weren't many of them, that wasn't too thrilling as there are very few chairs on any of the beaches.

In summary, I can see why many people would not like 9 Beaches. If I could be sure of calmer water for snorkeling, I would possibly go back. But, since I certainly have no control over that, I have given up on going back to Bermuda at all. I would say that most of the people we saw were in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The younger, probably the better able to enjoy the lifestyle of 9 Beaches, if they aren't there to party. I tried to think if any of my friends would be happy there, and I don't think so. If you are a typical resort person looking for pool service and constant activity and a fancy room, then don't even think about going to 9 Beaches. I get the feeling that some people have selected 9 Beaches because it is less expensive than most of the other top-rated resorts, but then complain when they don't get the same level of service and amenities. I knew basically what to expect going in and I wasn't disappointed in the service, rooms or beaches. If anyone wishes to email me, I would be happy to share my opinions. We have also stayed at the Pompano and St. George's Club. Judy9909@aol.com