Hamilton Princess and Beach Club – a Fairmont Managed Hotel Bermuda
Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, a Fairmont Managed Hotel
76 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM08 Bermuda
www.thehamiltonprincess.com
HOTEL INFORMATION
Group
ACCOR
Shareholders
Privately Owned
Date of Creation
January 1st, 1885
Hotel General Manager
Tim Morrison
Past Experience – General Manager (Fairmont Royal Pavillon, Fairmont Royal Pavilion)
Hotel Positioning
4-Star Boutique
HOTEL NAME
History & Story
The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club opened on January 1, 1885, in Bermuda, just following the island’s rise to prominence after a visit by Princess Louise, the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria of England. On the tails of this rise to prominence, businessman Harley Trott, head of Trott & Cox steamships, dreamed of a seaside resort destination that would attract American tourists and compete with the likes of Palm Beach. Having referred to the island as “a place of eternal spring,” Princess Louise was the inspiration behind the name of the hotel, which was originally named The Princess.
With long, shady verandas, a blue slate roof, and four stories of 70 guest-rooms, the hotel was considered a gem on the island. It was extremely luxurious, boasting amenities such as gas lights, hot and cold running water, and five-inch mirrors, which were not commonplace at the time. During its early years, the hotel made a name for itself with upper-class socialites living on the island, as well as wealthy leisure travelers, political figures, and businessmen. When Thomas Cook Tours started offering voyages to Bermuda from New York, the hotel staff, dressed in white jackets, would wave pink handkerchiefs as they greeted guests from the luxury cruise liners. Celebrities began to visit the hotel as it gained popularity; Mark Twain was a regular and would smoke cigars outdoors while signing autographs and reciting poetry. The author of the James Bond novels, Ian Fleming, was so impressed by the hotel that he included it as a location in his novel, Dr. No.
During World War II, the hotel acted as a British intelligence center and way station that intercepted and analyzed all mail, radio, and telegraphs bound for Europe and the Americas. After the war, air travel to Bermuda increased, and the island became a prime destination for American families looking to escape for short-term holidays. To appeal to the influx of American family travelers, the hotel rebranded itself, becoming The Princess Hotel and The Cottage Colony.
In 1959, American tanker billionaire Daniel Ludwig purchased the hotel and renovated it to increase the level of prestige, adding a new wing and luxurious lounges, while the cottage colony was leveled. Now, over a century later, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is the Grande Dame of the island and the oldest hotel of the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts family.
Main Strengths, Special Touch
• World Class Art collection featuring Warhol, Banksy, Mandela, Sachs, Kusama, etc
• Only 100% private beach in Bermuda ; Private Marina @ hotel for motorized water sports. Only hotel located in Hamilton, walking distance to shops/dining.
Location
Harborfront location in downtown Hamilton walking distance from all dining and shopping the city. 100% Private beach club located 15 minutes via shuttle South of Hamilton.
Key sites/activities in the area
• Front Street, Hamilton. (Dining/Shopping/Etc)
• Island Ferry Terminal (explore Bermuda from the Ocean)
• Admiralty Bay Park
• 15 Minutes to the beach
Fun Facts
• Top 10 hotel in the world for original art
• Oldest property in all of Accor Hotels worldwide (opened in 1885)
Children’s Corner
The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, affectionately known in Bermuda as “The Pink Palace”, announces the opening of the Prince & Princess Kid’s Club this summer.
Based in the new fun-filled “Kid’s Cottage”, children will partake in fully-supervised activities with professional camp staff. Designed for children ages five through twelve, the new club will feature programming built around daily themes, experiential education, and Bermudian culture. Activities will focus on teamwork and will be adapted for various age groups.
HOTEL FEATURES
Accommodation
• Number of suites: 60
• Number of Luxury rooms: 202
• Number of rooms, (keys) in all: 386
Restaurants & Bars
• Intrepid Steak, Seafood & Raw Bar
• 1609 Bar and Restaurant (seasonal)
• Crown & Anchor
• Princess Beach Club (seasonal)
• Duchess Café & Gelateria
Wellness
• Exhale Spa (massage/yoga/barre/relaxation)
• Exhale 24/7 Fitness Center
• Adults Only Pool
• All Ages Infinity Pool
Corporate & Celebration Events
• 29,000 Square Feet of Meeting Space Total
• Harborview Ballroom Max Capacity 1000 pax
Extra Notable Features
• 100% Private Beach Club
• World Class Art Collection
• Only Barre Studio in Bermuda
• Only hotel walking distance to shops/dining in Hamilton
Hotel and restaurant Awards
2023
• Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best Hotels, Luxury Caribbean & Top Hotels Caribbean, TripAdvisor
• 2023 Best Hotel for the Business Traveler, Best Breakfast Meeting at Crown & Anchor, Best Of Bermuda Business Product & Services Awards
• @Princessbermuda winner of the Gold President’s Awards for Digital – Social Media / Social Networking, and Bronze President’s Award for Digital – App, Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Adrian Awards 2023
• Highly Commended – Best Hotel (Global) Category, SKIFT Meetings 2023
2016
• Best Trips – National Geographic
• Best 50 Places to Travel – Travel & Leisure
• Where to Go – Afar Magazine
2015-2014
• Best 30 Trips of 2015 – Outside Magazine
• Best Islands in the World – Conde Naste
Number of employees
423