Elbow Beach in Bermuda is a Mandarin Oriental property that does not live up to the expectations or the price. This property needs a serious renovation. So much so that I think they need to totally level the main building and start over. The rumor was that the higher priced cottages were nicer, but I paid quite a bit to stay in the ocean view deluxe room in the main building and it was definitely not worth the price. I have stayed in other Mandarin Oriental properties because I am willing to pay for quality and customer service, but this missed the mark on both occasions. While the staff ended up being much nicer to us at the end of our stay, at the beginning the concierge and front desk staff were not nice or very helpful at all. I do have to say though, the restaurant and bar staff were very nice. Things to note: The grounds, pool and beach are stunning. If your flight gets in early, you will not be able to check in until 3:00 PM or later. Check out is at 11:00 AM. The food is expensive and not so good.

My husband and I spent 5 nights at Elbow Beach and absolutely adored the hotel and the BEAUTIFUL beach. In additon, the service was fantastic by all staff. On flaw, the pool needss a new jacuzzi. Yes, it is expensive.....but, so is all of Bermuda.

I arrived with my daughter and her friend (16 & 15 respectively) on June 28th. We stayed for five nights. Upon arrival we were greeted warmly by the doorman, Raymond , then I proceeded to check in. Our room was not quite ready so we decided to have lunch at Mikey's down by the beach. As we were driven down to the restaurant, I was surprised to see how vast this property is. The landscape is breathtaking and the ocean was a perfect azure blue. The trials of getting to Bermuda were washed away as soon as we were greeted by our waiter at Mikey's. Laszlo was wonderfuly attentive and made us feel very welcome. The attention from the staff was truly appreciated. The food was very good. Be sure to have the seafood salad. I had booked a garden view room and was pleasantly surprised that we had an ocean view room in the Bougainvillea complex. We settled in and headed for the ocean where an attendant will provide you with a towel and helped you find a chaise lounge. Drinks and food are served on the beach during the day by very hard working waiters from Mikey's. We enjoyed dinner inside the Seahorse Grill where the food was also very good and the selection was more on par for the teenagers. We took advantage of room service a few times and I was thankful for the patio off our room complete with table and chairs and two chaise lounges. It faced the ocean so I could enjoy the view with my dinner and coffee in the morning. We dined at Lido the last night and although the veiw was stunning, the main course was not as good as what we experienced at the Seahorse Grill. We did take advantage of the pool several times. Here, an attendant also gave you a towel and helped you to your lounge chair. Food and drinks are also served there. You can also have a bite to eat at the ajoining restaurant, Blue Point. Be sure to contact Restless Native Cruises if you like to snorkel. It was my second excursion with these folks and we had a great time. We really had a wonderful stay at Elbow Beach but I will say just like everyone else, it is tremendously expensive. I knew this prior to my booking the vacation. When I divided the cost of meals, gratuity, and the daily $10 per person service charge (beach towels, pool towels, and so forth) it equaled to about what I would have spent per person on a luxury cruise. Bermuda is an island and it is a seasonal destination so the cost should not come as a huge surprise. For us it was a lovely place for a mom and two teenagers to go where the mom got to enjoy herself and the girls had a great time too. Next trip will probably involve a rented apartment in Europe which is a whole other experience entirely. Elbow Beach was bliss and I'll always remember it fondly.

the supposedly newly renovated elbow beach hotel now owned by manderin oriental was not up to par with the quality i expected for the price and the reputation of the new owners...the room was nothing special and the "ocean view" was a joke..the food however although very expensive was good and the people who worked in the hotel were very cordial and helpful..i would not stay at this hotel again, there are nicer ones to be had. however, the beach is beautiful so that was the only plus i can think of...but i recommend staying somewhere other than elbow beach hotel...