"How did it strike you on arrival? Maybe it’s the verdant gardens that surround the property or the old-school design of the main building, which was once a 19th-century manor house. The airy front porch with its wicker rocking chairs might be the reason. Or even the coral-colored paint job, which help the white shutters perk up ever so slightly. Whatever the reason, the vibe at Royal Palms Hotel, a small City of Hamilton hotel, is uniquely tropical and classically Bermudian—one without a significant price tag. Tell us a bit more about its history. Built in 1903, the Royal Palms was once a private home, and many of its original architectural and decorative features are still present today. In fact, walking through its lobby and public spaces is akin to wandering through your wealthy grandmother’s living room: Oriental rugs cover creaky wood-paneled floors, tufted sofas and chairs sit next to elegant Victorian-style furniture, and walls with crown molding feature gold-framed paintings of dreamy Bermuda landscapes. Tell us all about the accommodations. What can we expect from the rooms? Not surprisingly, the décor of the 32 rooms is right in line with the rest of this über-traditional hotel. You’ll find antique-style hardwood furniture, flowery drapes and bed skirts, and hearty sitting chairs. Most have kitchenettes with a microwave, refrigerator, toaster oven, and wet bar, and some have a shared patio or porch. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? There's free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Any good dining options on the premises, or should we venture elsewhere? Ascot is the main fine dining restaurant, and although some locals swear by this place, you’ll get a far better meal if you simply take the five-minute walk into the City of Hamilton. The good news is you won’t have to go very far for your morning coffee since the hotel provides a complimentary continental breakfast of the usual suspects (yogurt, baked goods) in addition to free glasses of red and white wine with light bites during evening happy hour. And the service? This is a folksy kind of place run by locals who’ve been working here for years, so expect service with a smile from Bermudians who very much care about your stay. What type of travelers will you find here? Budget travelers looking to save a few bucks, business travelers who favor the central address, and older couples who enjoy the hotel’s laid-back simplicity. How does it fit into the surrounding neighborhood? Considering the Royal Palms is a five-minute walk to the City of Hamilton’s shops, restaurants, and attractions, you’ll have the best of Bermuda’s big-city life at your doorstep. Is there anything you'd change? The kidney-shaped pool is the size of a large hot tub—read: tiny—and you’re about 15 minutes from the closest beach. Anything else stand out about the hotel? You might be nowhere near the water, but the grounds here significantly make up for the lack of ocean view. In fact, the hotel’s well-manicured gardens are one of the loveliest places to take a quiet stroll—they’re overflowing with frangipani, oleander, and bougainvillea, plus fruit trees like avocado, banana, lime, guava, and loquat, all of which guests are encouraged to pick from. Bottom line: Why would you recommend this one, and who for? If an affordable, centrally located stay is what you crave, you can’t do much better than this old-school manor house in the City of Hamilton." - David LaHuta
