Fondly known simply as “The Princess,” the
Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel (76 Pitts Bay Rd., tel. 441/295-3000, toll-free 800/330-8272, fax 441/295-1914, hamilton [at] fairmont [dot] com, www.fairmont.com/hamilton, 410 rooms, starting at $479 d in high season) has been a fixture of the Pitts Bay waterfront since Victorian times. The candy-pink hotel was built in honor of Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Louise, who visited Bermuda in 1883, launching a tourism industry in her wake. The property’s harborfront venue, beautiful views, and five-star amenities have made it a popular choice ever since. The Princess, famous during World War II as an intelligence center where mail and radio communications were analyzed by more than 1,000 British “censorettes,” offers traditional comforts just a 15-minute scenic walk from Hamilton’s center.

Guest rooms and suites decorated in pastel florals and old-time furnishings offer either garden/pool or harbor views—the latter far preferable, but also more expensive. Some have private balconies with views stretching up the Great Sound. The property is popular with Hamilton’s corporate visitors, and most rooms have high-speed Internet access, dataports, spacious work desks, telephone with voicemail, and cable TV. Some offer large-screen TVs, marble bathrooms, and large, panoramic decks. “Fairmont Gold” suites offer even more business amenities.

The hotel has a large heated pool, scuba center, popular lobby bar and afternoon tea area, a coffee shop, small spa, and award-winning restaurant on-site. Guests are also able to use facilities at the Fairmont Southampton, including a golf course, beach, tennis courts, and large world-class spa.