Hamilton Princess & Beach Club - Hotel Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"First impressions? Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club has stood in the City of Hamilton since 1885, the year after Queen Victoria’s daughter Louise, for whom the hotel is named, visited Bermuda . From the street, this stately structure is hard to miss. For starters, it’s bright pink, a rose-colored hue that led locals to deem it the “Pink Palace” when it was first built. These days it’s simply called the Princess—once inside, you’ll see her crown jewels sparkle. Any stories behind the hotel? Long managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the Princess took a decidedly boutique-y turn when it was purchased by local billionaires in 2012 and given a fresh new look. The family invested more than $100 million into the hotel in preparation of the 35th America’s Cup in 2017—an extensive multi-year renovation that shined up an already glistening property. What was added is staggering: a 60-berth luxury marina, two new restaurants (including Marcus’ , from celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson); a chic harborfront infinity pool with private cabanas; an 8,200-square-feet spa and fitness center with an adults-only pool; a modern new retail corridor; brand-new suites and completely refurbished rooms; plus a multi-million dollar collection of pop and contemporary art that hangs in its lobby and public spaces. As if that weren’t enough, the new owners addressed its lack of a beach by buying one in Southampton and turning it into its exclusive private beach club (hop on the hotel’s free jitney, which makes several runs there a day). What can we expect from the rooms? Many rooms were renovated; all have modern amenities and contemporary design. Consider splurging for one of the Signature Rooms, which feature large balconies overlooking the harbor, one of the busiest waterways in Bermuda. Watching sailboats and day-cruisers jet across the cobalt waters never gets old. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? The hotel offers free Wi-Fi for guests and visitors alike. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? The dining game here is strong—you won’t have to go very far for a memorable meal. That's particularly true at Marcus’ , celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s hip Caribbean-inspired soul food restaurant (make a reservation for Thursday night, when a live reggae band performs or head there for Sunday brunch, which comes with bottomless Veuve Clicquot). Crown & Anchor, the hotel’s casual lobby bar and restaurant, does round-the-clock casual dishes. And for stellar views of Hamilton Harbour and its gleaming white super yachts, grab a seat at 1609, the breezy, open-air restaurant. And the service? This is Bermuda: You’ll get a pleasant "good morning," "good afternoon," and "good evening" at every turn. But here at the Princess, the service is next level. White-jacketed bellman welcome you in and out, the front desk folks are cheerful and accommodating, and the concierge can get just about anything done. What kind of traveler is drawn to this hotel? Because of its central location, the Princess gets lots of business travelers. But thanks to its glittering new makeover, it’s also attracting an entirely new demographic: babymooners seeking a Zika-free vacation, middle-aged couples, and families—that new pool and beach club are great spots to let the kiddos blow off some steam, not to mention the recently open kids club, which is open to kids ages five through 12. Anything fun to do in the surrounding area? The Princess is located in the heart of Hamilton, a five-minute walk to shops, restaurants, and attractions. What have we missed? The Pop Art collection includes works from Andy Warhol, Banksy, and Damien Hirst, among others. In fact, this is the most impressive collection of modern art in Bermuda—learn all it during a free guided art tour (Saturday mornings). When you’re done, hit the open road on a Twizy; the Princess is one of two hotels on the island that rents the four-wheeled electric vehicles, which are truly a blast to drive. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? There’s no better hotel in the City of Hamilton. Plus, there's a brand-new private beach club in Southampton." - David LaHuta
