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Bermuda -- A Stay at the Hamilton Princess & More
We
recently took advantage of a three-night cruise ship stay in
Bermuda to re-visit the famed
Fairmont Hamilton Princess for a few
nights. We’d heard the $25 million makeover of the ‘Pink Palace’
had done wonders and it’s definitely the case!
Originally opened in 1885, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess has a long legacy of luxury. This is especially true in the new $13.1 million Fairmont Gold wing, where we experienced the ‘Fairmont Gold’ program for the first time. This “hotel within a hotel” includes private check-in, concierge service, a Fairmont Gold salon with complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening hors d’oeuvres (plus superfast Internet service, which I loved). Fairmont’s Gold standard would make for a great story angle in a wide variety of magazines.
The hotel’s legendary Afternoon Tea served as another highlight. Served
in the Heritage Court Lounge each day, this special treat consists of creative
finger sandwiches, unique scones, pastries, sorbet, and 14 varied teas chosen
by Master Tea Blender John Harvey. We particularly enjoyed the lobster salad
on sesame seaweed and the rum cured salmon on
ginger
bread. This would make for a great little Bermuda angle.
Out on the town--Hamilton is a great island base--we loved the city’s pub scene, including Hog Penny and Flanagan’s. Elsewhere on the island, we found typically good pub grub and friendly service at North Rock Brewing Company, the Swizzle Inn, and Frog and Onion (near where our ship docked in the Royal Naval Dockyard). The beers and cuisine of the island’s pubs continue to evolve in a quite delicious manner.
We
went scuba diving one day with Blue Water Divers & Watersports
(441/232-2911), enjoying an exploration of the Darlington, one of
dozens of great wrecks off Bermuda’s shoreline. We can also highly recommend
renting mopeds from one of many Oleander Cycles (441/236-BIKE) locations,
as well as taking advantage of the personalized transport and touring services
offered by Glenn Chase (cellular tel. 441/234-7022).
We returned with a ton of story angles and great photography!