The ceremony was attended by part-owner Michael Douglas, Premier Michael Dunkley, Minister of Tourism and Transport Shawn Crockwell, Minister of Economic Development and Education Dr Grant Gibbons, and representatives of Olympic Property Partners, Somers Management, Onsite Engineering, and Quarterly Architects.
No dates were given for the planned opening of the hotel.
Update 12 June 2014 – Michael Douglas has just posted a message on his Facebook page – ‘In Bermuda, working on building my family’s new hotel at Ariel Sands. It is going to be great!‘. Looks like things could be moving at last.
Ariels Sands is currently closed. Take a look a similar properties such as Cambridge Beaches and The Reefs.
In March 2007 plans were announced to develop Ariel Sands into a 5-star Hilton hotel but the deal fell through later that year. Ariel Sands closed in January 2008. Over the years several other redevelopment deals have also come to nothing. In March 2013 a spokesman for the property, speaking to the Royal Gazette, stated that the property was not for sale and that the hotel was still in negotiations with potential development partners.
In May 2009 Claudio Vigilante reopened the Aqua restaurant at the Surf Side Beach Club. The move was unsuccessful and the restaurant closed in 2010. We have kept this listing online as many of our readers are still searching for information about the status of this property.
Stay at Ariel Sands in Bermuda and you might just run into co-owner Michael Douglas. Yes, the Michael Douglas. Set in 14 acres of landscaped gardens, this exclusive cottage colony takes full advantage of its hillside setting and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
The various accommodations are dotted around the grounds in delightfully named cottages such as Shakespeare’s Dream and Mariner’s Mark. With their tray ceilings and white-ridged roofs they are classic examples of Bermudian architecture. At their centre lies the clubhouse with its award-winning restaurant Aqua; a good enough reason for staying here by itself.
Breakfast can be delivered to your cottage or taken in Aqua; where lunch and dinner are also served. Afternoon tea is complimentary and during the summer guests are invited to the manager’s weekly rum swizzle party.
Guests can snorkel from the private beach or relax in 2 unique ocean-fed pools, a heated freshwater pool or the hot tub. In the Day Spa European-trained therapists offer a full range of treatments including facials and massages. It overlooks the ocean giving guests fantastic views while they are being pampered.
Golf enthusiasts can warm up on their putting green before heading off the real thing. The concierge can arrange tee time at all of Bermuda’s golf courses (including the 3 private courses; Mid Ocean Club, Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club and the Tucker’s Point Club).
Ariel Sands is located on the South Road and offers easy access to both Bermuda’s capital Hamilton and the historic town of St George. Take a stroll to the bottom of the entrance road and check out Palm Grove Gardens.
Many times & loved the property sometimes we would come in any season so happy Michael Douglas is rebuilding next time for me going to Bermuda 2018 hope the property will be opn
I stayed there in the 1970s , 80s and 90s.
At that time the residents in the area were allowed to have dinner in the restaurant , and it was always a fun time to mix with them . Sometimes the Staff would provide special music after dinner.
I still wear my Ariel Sands polo shirt on occasions.
G. Richard Morris
50 years ago this May my wife and I spent our honeymoon at Ariel Sands!
My wife and I will be celebrating our 50th anniversary on May 11th 2018. We were at Aerial Sands 35 years ago on our 15th anniversary. Where have the years gone? We still remember this as one of our all time favorite locations. We have been to Hawaii and Alaska, but there is something special about this beautiful cottage colony that is calling me.
I loved the naturally fed tidal pools, very unique. Unfortunately Bermuda resorts are disappearing almost as fast as i can clear out an all you can eat buffet. Holy pasta fagioli Joey Chestnut can`t even beat me. Anyway lets hope this beautiful resort will get on the right track and maybe my diet will too.
When is Ariel Sands expected to open and will it only be a time sharing facility?
Thanks
GE
2017.
Michael Douglas has just posted on his Facebook page ‘In Bermuda, working on building my family’s new hotel at Ariel Sands. It is going to be great!’
I can’t wait to see the hotel and can’t wait to stay there. Any idea when it will open?
I don’t know but if it follows the pattern of other new hotel announcements made in Bermuda, you will be waiting a long time. You will probably be in your grave when the foundations are laid.
OMG! FINALLY! YEAH! Thanks, Michael!!!! About time!! I cannot wait to come back to this beautiful place – Ariel Sands! Is the statue still in the water?
Our very first visit to Bermuda was at the Ariel Sands in 1976….spent 12 more visits there and now are “up island” Last year 2013 we took our scooters to Ariel and walked around the property. so very sad…such a gem to be turned into a ghost town. Please bring it back to what it was…not some high rise, electronic, generic spot.
I miss my annual birthday-7/14 dinner at this beautiful place. I truly miss this bit of heaven on earth.
Michael, you were a fool to sell! Bring ALL of Ariel Sands BACK! Love you though!
My wife and I stayed at Ariel Sands many, many years ago. We both found the food to be very acceptable and the staff in general to be most courteous, especial Wilbur who worked the bars where we spent many an evening sipping rum swizzles and Tom Collins. The original Ariel had an ambiance and the character which was second to none.
ariel sands … we knew the family, watched their daughter grow up. that is how many times i have been. the first time the chef “cheffy” and his dog” becks “sat at the old out side bar and talked me into having frog legs… the best!!! we would get christmas cards with a wreath around the statue . how i loved that place… the special drink … the blue nymph i have many pictures and to those who say it was a motel 6 STAY AT A CORP PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the whole point is to be native
The aerial sands. I loved that it was jacket required-a touch back to old school. I went there in 1990 I stayed in a very cozy cottage overlooking the beach and rented a scooter there from a brother with dreads whom was very cool and down to earth. It had class and on a main drive but kinda off the beaten path. Man I had big fun in Bermuda. The food was great and needless to say as a single gentleman I had the greatest time of my life there. I actually cried when I left and was such a nice guest that the staff gave me an extra day to stay there. To say the least my memories of Aerial Sands stay with me like a sand dial that never runs out of sand. It was only later on I found the Douglas family were owners, but hey I simply enjoyed the property and the sun and the beaches and the sand and the staff and the food.
We’ve been to Ariel Sands at least 6 or 7 times. We used to take or children on spring vacation because it was near a bus stop and such a great place. We stayed in Shakespeare’s Dream. The kids loved the ice cream soup. One night we kept the bar tender up really late to watch that famous Jimmy Connors match at the US open. It will be missed.
My husband and I stayed at Ariel Sands the last year it was opened. I can’t say it enough how wonderful our visit was. The staff was fantastic. There is nothing comparable to this place on the island. I love this place and hopefully will visit it again.
My husband and I spent our honeymoon in 1965 at the Ariel Sands and visited it on our 25th anniversary. My husband passed away in 2009. The Ariel was a wonderful place and will always hold a special memory for me.
My family and I have stayed at the Sands on 6 occasions. It was magical and we will miss it. Hope the new lodgings maintain its quiet and comfortable appeal.
It is so sad to learn of the end of Ariel as we knew it on 23 visits. Some years Warren and I visited twice; one year we made it three times, staying about 10 days each time in Green Bay. We loved the snorkeling, the natural pools, the fabulous staff…everything! There is nothing comparable on the island. We became friends with the Dill family, Bernard and Lesley. We treasure the memories and mourn the changes.
My sisters and I visited the Ariel Sands twice with our 90+ year old mother and have many amazing memories of our wonderful stay. We were very saddened to hear of the closing as we intended to stay again last year. The staff were always friendly and remarkably attentive. I can honestly say it is one of the most lovely vacations any of us have had and we all travel extensively.
We would still like to visit Bermuda, but unfortunately, I have not been able to find a comparable location on the island.
On one of our visits, we met a delightful English couple that had visited Ariel Sands every year for over 10 years. Your wonderful cottage resort will be sorely missed by many.
Ariel Sands will be closing for major redevelopment on January 1 2008. It is expected to reopen as a timeshare development in approximately three years.
The Hilton deal has apparently fallen through.
What is the latest status of Ariel Sands? When I was there this summer (2012) I heard that Michael Douglas had just signed some sort of deal in July.
Construction of the new hotel will begin in Spring 2008 at the earliest. Until then the hotel, spa and restaurant will continue to operate as normal.
Construction hasn’t started yet and won’t do for a long time.
Hilton are going to be building a hotel on this site some time in the next year. I understand though that Michael Douglas and the Dill family are going to be retaining some ownership of the property.
UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t worry. It’s not happening.