Bermuda Hotel Tips by 850prc Top 5 Page for this destination

Kingston House Bed & Breakfast: The best deal in Bermuda

We love finding a great bed and breakfast. God Bless the internet for making it so much easier to do so. We came across Harry and Marlie Powell's Kingston House via the magic of google and the Bermuda travel websites. What a great choice.

Kingston House embodies everything you'd want from a small b&b experience. Interesting and helpful hosts, a casual ambience and a great price, too. I challenge anyone to find accomodations in Bermuda for $180 per night...for THREE people...in a nice place. You'll actually have trouble finding a not-so-nice place at such a great Bermuda rate.

NOTE... FOR A FEW MORE PHOTOS OF KINGSTON HOUSE, SEE THE FOLLOWUP TIP. :)

If you choose to book and stay at Kingston House, please tell them that Pete from Tallahassee said hello.

Unique Qualities: (1) Harry and Marlie Powell, the owners. Marlie is originally from Canada, but married Harry three decades ago and settled in Bermuda. Harry's lineage goes back to the earliest Bermuda shipwrecks, he's tried and true Bermudian. Harry helped us a great deal in finding my old home from the 1950s over on Harrington Sound.

(2) The Kingston House was built by Harry's dad back in the 1920s, so it's a family property. Harry and Marlie have lovingly updated and restored the house, down to spectacular Brazilian hardwood floors and wireless internet throughout. The entire decor and feel is "home" and "comfort".

(3) We didn't use it, but they have a "continuous wave" lap pool. It's one of those things where you can set it and swim in place. Harry says it goes from gentle surf to super-rip-tide level. :)

(4) They try to tailor breakfasts to your tastes. There are no meats served...for two reasons. First, Marlie is a vegetarian. And second, serving meat means that you have to satisfy about six million additional government regulations, according to Marlie. I especially liked the raisin scones with jam.

(5) Also on the food front, Harry is serious about his coffee. They serve only fair trade coffee, and they roast and grind it ON THE PREMISES. Harry thinks coffee that's been roasted for more than a day or two is old. This is a good place for your morning cup of Joe, folks. Have a second, and a third.

(6) Great locations. Turnstile Lane turns off Pitts Bay Road. It's less than 1 km into Hamilton, but you're far enough away for it to be wonderfully peaceful at night.

(7) Free local calls, and very inexpensive long distance carrier available.

(8) We had the Palmetto Suite, which included a separate room and daybed for our daughter. Gave us all space and privacy. :)

Address: 5 Turnstile Lane, Hamilton, Pembroke

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Go through Hamilton on Front Street, heading west...Front Street will turn into Pitts Bay Road. Within 0.1 km or so, you'll see Roxdene Lane on the right. Go another 0.1 km and then turn right onto Turnstile Lane. Kingston is the 3rd house on the left.

Other Contact: 441-296-1448 fax

Phone: 441-295-6597

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Bed and Breakfast

Kingston House Bed and Breakfast: A few more peeks at Kingston House

As I'd mentioned in the previous tip, THIS one's being placed to share a few more photos of Kingston House.

Address: 5 Turnstile Lane, Pembroke Parish

Comparison: less expensive than average

Other Contact: 441-296-1448 fax

Phone: 441-295-6597

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Bed and Breakfast

Rosedon Hotel: A terrific smaller hotel/guesthouse

OK, here's another place that I didn't stay. But, I was very impressed by both its location and by its feel. We were very happy in our little B&B, but if I wanted to stay in a bigger hotel near Hamilton, I think I'd look into the Rosedon.

Oh one thing... although it has B&B qualities, the Rosedon is technically NOT a B&B. By Bermuda hotel authority definition, any accommodations establishment that has more than four rooms is a hotel, not a bed and breakfast or rooming house. This definition stands even though the Rosedon DOES include breakfast in their rates. Just in case you wanted to know.

Unique Qualities: Historic building, originally constructed in 1906. They serve afternoon tea, and the room in the main/grand house are the most desirable. I'm told that the rooms in the more modern two story wings are find, but not nearly as historic. Nice Victorian furnishings throughout, and a nice cozy main living room.

There is a pool and gardens behind the house.

Address: 61 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke Parish

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Drive through Hamilton on Front Street. Just after you pass the ferry dock on the left (followed by Waterloo House on the left), you'll see Rosedon on a hill over on the right. Gorgeous grounds, you can't miss it.

Phone: 800-742-5008

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.rosedonbermuda.com

The Fairmont Princess Hotel - Hamilton: The Grand Dame of Hamilton

OK two things..

First, I didn't stay at the Princess. I passed it everyday, and I know people who are familiar with the property. I know it's a good luxury choice near Hamilton

Second, it's really not the Grand Dame of HAMILTON. Technically, there ARE no hotels or guesthouses inside Hamilton. The Princess is in Pembroke Parish, on Pitts Bay Road. Pitts Bay is what Front Street, Hamilton, turns into at the city limit sign. The Princess is technically about 200 meters away from the city of Hamilton. But, we're talking small distances. You can literally SEE the center of Hamilton from the Princess.

Unique Qualities: The Princess is everything you'd expect a historic luxury property to be. It's been in this location for about 45 years... my parents tell me that a hotel called "The Bermudiana" used to be here, it burned down in the late 1950s. And even though it's four decades old, it's undergone numerous renovations, and is absolutely up-to-date in comfort and service.

If you want to stay in a large, luxury hotel in Hamilton...ok near Hamilton...The Fairmont Princess would be a time-tested good choice.

The Princess has a sister hotel over on the south shore of Bermuda, the Fairmont Southampton. Since the Princess (being on the harbor) has no beach, guests AT the Princess are entitled to free shuttle service over to the Southampton and its "private beach". Private beach is somewhat of a misnomer in Bermuda, as techically, nobody can own "the Queen's Bottom". But, hotels claiming certain beaches CAN own the beach chairs, lifeguards and such.

Address: 76 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke Parish

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: Drive through Hamilton on Front Street heading west. Just after you pass the ferry dock at the harbor, start looking on the left. You'll pass Waterloo House (another nice place) and then will come upon the Princess' parking lot.

Phone: 441-295-3000

Price: US$180 and up

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.fairmont.com/hamilton