Hotel Review: Rosewood Tucker's Point, Bermuda
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here – Citi Prestige Card
Looking for an escape from the East Coast for New Year's, TPG Points & Miles Editor Sarah Silbert headed to Bermuda, where she enjoyed a four-night stay at the beautiful Rosewood Tucker's Point hotel. Read on for her full impressions.
After living in New York City for several years, the New Year's Eve scene gets a bit old — or at least it has for me. For that reason, my boyfriend and I decided to head to the much quieter locale of Bermuda to celebrate the end of 2015 in relative calm — and warm weather.
Since it's only about an hour-and-a-half flight from Newark, I've been to Bermuda several times over the past few years, and we were able to grab round-trip fares for about $300 — not a steal, but not horrible either for this time of year. With a stay at The Reefs under our belt, we decided to book the Rosewood Tucker's Point, arguably the nicest property on the island and definitely one of the easiest to reach from the airport.
Booking
There's nothing cheap about this hotel, but the Citi Prestige and its 4th Night Free benefit can help soften the blow, as can occasional island-wide hotel sales. We booked a four-night stay to leverage Citi's 4th Night Free credit card perk and get 25 percent off our total bill. The nightly rate came out to $498, including tax and breakfast. With a $498 credit from Citi, we were looking at just under $1,500 for the four-night stay.
Unfortunately, Rosewood doesn't have a loyalty program that allows members to earn and redeem points for hotel stays. The only semblance of a hotel chain on the island is Fairmont, which has two properties that can be booked using the free nights awarded to Fairmont Visa Signature Card holders. We hadn't heard the best things about either of these options, though, so we decided to just go for the splurge.
Check-In
After an easy 10-minute (and $20, including tip) taxi ride from L. F. Wade International Airport (BDA), we arrived at the Rosewood Tucker's Point.
Everything about this hotel is posh — from the grand entrance sign and perfectly green golf courses on the way up to the main hotel, to the lobby, which comes complete with marble floors and a grand staircase.
Upon entering the lobby, a friendly staff member led us to a desk and invited us to sit down. She offered us hot chocolate while checking us in, and helped arranged a scooter-rental pick-up. (Aside from taxis and walking, scooters are the only way for tourists to get around in Bermuda — if you're up for the challenge of driving on the left side of the road, they can be a lot of fun!)
The Room
We didn't get a suite or anything super fancy — that's the downside of staying at a hotel where you can't leverage elite status to get upgrades — but our room was pretty, large and very comfortable. It also got plenty of light thanks to the balcony and large windows. I liked the decor, which felt appropriate for an island with strong British influences.
It was hard to find fault with the beautiful views of the island, which proved perfect for watching fireworks on New Year's Eve a few days later.
Another highlight of this room was the option to relax — or work — in cushioned chairs outside on the balcony.
In addition to the comfortable bed, there was a sitting chair and stool, plus a desk that sat, somewhat awkwardly, directly below the air-conditioning vent. It was warm during our stay, but not warm enough for that blast of freezing-cold air to be appreciated. Luckily, the table and chairs on the balcony proved to be a much more comfortable place to work.
I liked the spacious bathroom, which included a standalone tub and was stocked with fresh, citrus-scented toiletries from British brand Heeley.
The room featured a well-stocked mini-bar with snacks and beverages. I was surprised that prices started at just $4 for soda — not cheap by any stretch, but less than I expected for such a high-end hotel.
Amenities and Other Features
We booked a nightly rate that included breakfast, and I'm very glad we did. The meal's served in a large dining room overlooking the hotel's main pool, and with our rate we could order anything on the menu. If we had simply opted for breakfast, it would have added at least $60 to our daily expenses on this trip, so it was a wise move.
Not to mention, there were some great options. During our stay I enjoyed a "Sense" breakfast (with a kiwi-banana smoothie, grilled vegetables, an egg-white omelette and toast), blueberry pancakes and a made-to-order omelette. My boyfriend got bagels with lox, arugula and avocado a few times.
While all of these choices were great, the only downside was the very slow service. The servers didn't seem to be assigned to specific tables or areas of the dining room, so it was hard to track anyone down to ask for the check each day.
The Rosewood Tucker's Point has two pools, and the main one was very popular with guests throughout our stay. That probably has something to do with how dang gorgeous it is — just look:
We spent a few hours reading and relaxing by the pool, and I enjoyed a few dips in the perfectly warm water, but on all but the first day the area was too crowded so we opted for the much quieter, nearly abandoned second pool. It was equally pleasant (albeit with less of a picture-perfect view), and offered some nice cabanas, but the fact that it was covered in shade probably had something to do with it being empty most of the time.
On the afternoon of our last day, December 31, we received probably one of the best "welcome" gifts ever: A full-size bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Considering that it was New Year's Eve, this couldn't have been more appreciated.
While the hotel hosted a few different reservation-required celebrations for New Year's Eve, we opted to scoot into St. George's, the nearby historic town, for dinner. We made it back in time to watch fireworks from our balcony while enjoying the complimentary Champagne — we ended up having a great view, even though the display was comically small compared to the super-size productions we've seen in the US.
Overall Impression
The Rosewood Tucker's Point isn't cheap, and even though the Citi Prestige 4th Night Free benefit helps, this hotel still isn't a great option for reward travelers on a budget. Still, if you're after an unforgettable stay at a beautiful property in Bermuda, it's hard to beat this place. If you're looking for a winter escape from the East Coast, I'd highly recommend it and I personally hope to make it back there soon.
Have you ever stayed at this property? Feel share to share your experience — or tell us about your favorite Bermuda hotel — in the comments below!
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.