Frequently asked questions about staying at Crooked Elbow:
What is the policy on payment of the deposit ?
Deposits, starting at $200, are payable in advance by Visa, MasterCard, or cheque.
To pay a deposit, by Visa or Mastercard, you can provide a card number, expiry date and 3 digit CVV code by telephone to Mark Rowe at 1-441-297-0898. Alternatively, some people are happy to send the information by email, splitting the card number between two emails if necessary. If you prefer to pay by cheque, it should be made out to Anne Rowe and mailed to her at Crooked Elbow, 5 Shinbone Alley, St George’s GE05, Bermuda. If you mail a cheque you must notify Mark Rowe after you have posted it. A reservation is not guaranteed until a deposit has been paid.
Please note: $50 of the deposit is non-refundable. The remainder of the deposit is only refundable if a cancellation notice is received 30 days prior to the reserved arrival date. There are no exceptions! It is suggested that you take out travel insurance if you are concerned about losing your deposit due to unforseen illness or any other circumstance.
How is final payment made?
The balance is payable after your arrival in Bermuda in the form of US$ or BDA$ CASH. Add 4% for credit card payments. If you prefer not to travel with cash, there are two banks, each with an ATM, less then a 5 minute walk from Taylor House.
How far is Crooked Elbow from the airport?
The distance from the airport is approximately 3 miles (5 Km). The taxi fare is about $18 and takes about 15 minutes. There are no flight paths over or near Crooked Elbow, so the noise from aircraft engines is not an issue.
What are the directions to Crooked Elbow and how do we get access?
Crooked Elbow is situated on Shinbone Alley in St George’s. A map and directions can be found here. Instructions for your arrival and directions will be sent to you by email, upon receipt of the deposit. On the day of your arrival, the keys will be placed in the small black letterbox on the porch. You will be able to leave your luggage inside the apartment when you arrive from the airport; although cleaning may not be completed. (official check-in time is 3pm – see information on check-in and check-out, below).
What time is check-in and check-out?
Official check-in and check-out times are 3:00pm and 10:00am, respectively. Guests often arrive on the same day that the previous guests depart and, in the interim, cleaning has to be completed. This is the reason for restrictions on check-in and check-out times. When there is a gap of one day or more between guests, the check-in and check-out times may be more flexible. You can enquire about this. In any case, you are permitted to store your luggage in the apartment until noon for departing guests, and from noon for arriving guests. [There are no luggage storage facilities at the airport].
What amenities are provided?
Free wireless Internet access and cable TV are provided.There are airconditioners in bedroom and sitting room (not dining room). The kitchen is equipped with an oven, range, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, refrigerator etc. The small bathroom has a tub and shower. A hair dryer, iron and ironing board are provided. In the private garden there is a table and chairs.
Toilet rolls, paper towels, soap, dish washing liquid, trash bags etc are provided. There is no clothes-washing or dish-washing machine. The laundromat is 1 minute walking distance away.
What about trash?
Full trash bags can be placed in or next to the bin by the pillar at the entrance to the driveway. Please do not put loose trash in the bin. Let us know if you cannot find any trash bags in the kitchen.
Are towels and linens provided and changed daily?
Towels and linens are provided, but are not changed daily. There is no daily maid service included with this type of accommodation. There is a laundromat within a 1 minute walk, if you need it. Two sets of towels are provided per person. Replacement towels and linens can be requested on the 7th day of your stay.
Is public transportation available nearby?
There is a bus stop within a few minutes walk from Crooked Elbow. The ferries operate from St. George’s to Dockyard (at the other end of the island) between April and November. Buses run in the direction of Hamilton (capital city of Bermuda) every half an hour from St. Georges and are reliable and clean. Travel time to Hamilton by bus ranges from 30 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the route.
Can we rent vehicles ?
You can rent scooters from Oleander Cycles in St George’s. You can also now rent small electric cars in Bermuda. Scooters or a car can be parked on the property. We advise that you collect your scooters from the office rather than ask for them to be delivered, which can result in delays.
How far is it to the nearest beach?
There are three very nice beaches within a 10 to 15 minute walk along quiet and picturesque roadways. Some of the best snorkelling in Bermuda is to be found along the coast in the vicinity of these beaches. They are Tobacco Bay, Achilles Bay and St Catherine Beach. Other beaches such as Clearwater, John Smith’s Bay and Shelly Bay can be reached by a 20 minute bus journey. Beach towels are provided.
What attractions and activities are there in the area?
Crooked Elbow is an historic home close to the center of St George’s Town which is a United Nations “World Heritage Site”. Thus, there are several nearby museums, old forts and churches to visit. The town itself is very picturesque and worth exploring by foot. There are also lovely coastal walks along quiet roadways and along the old “railway trail” which is vehicle-free. On the waterfront, there are boat tours and watersports on offer between April and November.
Are there restaurants and a grocery store nearby?
Since Crooked Elbow is located near the center of the town, you will not be inconvenienced by a shortage of every-day necessities. There is a small, well provisioned grocery store with a popular deli and a variety of restaurants on Water Street within a two or three minutes walk. There is a pharmacy, post office, as well as a variety of shops, two banks with ATMs all virtually on the doorstep.
Are there other occupants at the Crooked Elbow and where does the owner live?
There will be no other guests at the Crooked Elbow guest apartment when you are there. The facilities and amenities described are not shared. The guest apartment has a private entrance. The property owner, Mark Rowe, lives upstairs at the Crooked Elbow.
Mark Rowe : [email protected] Telephone: (441) 297 0898 or (441) 703 4322