Marine geologists say that 100 million years ago, this hook-shaped chain of little islands was part of the lip of a huge volcano, now long dormant. The submarine mount on which Bermuda is perched rises 15,000 feet from the bottom of the sea. That part of Bermuda that is above the surface of the sea is surrounded by a wide platform of underwater coral reefs that protect it from stormy weather. This shallow platform gives the inshore seas colours that you won’t soon forget – stunning blues and greens that lap at the pink sand of Bermuda's beaches.
But in years gone by, Bermuda waters were well known for more than their beauty to the earliest navigators who had business in the New World.. The reefs were deadly to ships that ventured too close, and the wreckage of scores of ships dot the outer reefs as a result. Early seamen called Bermuda "Isle of Devils" for that reason. Bermuda comes from a Spaniard, Juan de Bermudez, who paid a call in 1503. But the island remained uninhabited, despite visits by Spanish and English ships, until more than a century later.
It wasn’t until a hurricane blew a British ship called the Sea Venture onto the reefs in 1609 that a settlement was begun. The Sea Venture, which was commanded by Admiral Sir George Somers, was on her way to the New World settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, with settlers and supplies. Although most of the settlers continued on their way in a vessel they built while they were stranded on Bermuda, there have been people living here since that visit, and Bermuda’s character as a British colony was established.
Bermuda offers a wide variety of accommodations to suit visitors, which range from large full service resort hotels with spas, swimming pools and beaches to bed and breakfast, or tiny guest houses and uniquely Bermudian cottage colonies which comprise separate cottages that offer privacy and all the services of a resort hotel.
Many accommodations offer various plans to choose from including the Modified American Plan (room, breakfast and dinner), the Bermuda Plan (room and breakfast), Continental Plan (room and light breakfast) European Plan (room only) and the American Plan (room, breakfast, lunch and dinner), although the latter is harder to find these days, due to the availability of restaurants to be found on the island. No matter what you book there are many value-added incentives available, and some accommodations have kitchens or kitchenettes for beverages or light snacks. A few have maid service for preparing and serving breakfast in cottage units. If you opt for a resort hotel the majority of bedrooms are in a main building and these hotels usually have their own beach or beach club, pools and tennis courts, and many have their own golf courses.
