Hamilton Princess & Beach Club
bermuda, bermuda · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
The Hamilton Princess — universally known as the 'Pink Palace' — is the oldest grande dame on Bermuda, opened in 1885 and named for Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria. After a $90 million restoration completed in 2016 by the Green family (the same family behind Marcus restaurants and the world-class Bermudian Modern Art collection now hanging throughout the public spaces), the hotel is once again the social anchor of Hamilton — its Marcus Samuelsson-helmed restaurant the dinner reservation of the island, its 1609 bar on the marina the best harbour-view cocktail spot in town, its art collection a small museum of Banksy, Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol and Bermudian contemporaries. The honeymoon strength is location: walk to every restaurant in Hamilton, ferry to St George's, ten minutes by scooter to south shore beaches. The honeymoon weakness is the lack of a beach on property — there is a private Beach Club at Sinky Bay, but it is a complimentary fifteen-minute shuttle ride away. Couples for whom dining out, walking the city, and harbour life matter more than waking up to ocean views will find this the best Bermuda has.
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Want direct beach access
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
88/100
Book Your Stay
Check availability
We compare Hamilton Princess across partners and redirect to the cheapest option.
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Fairmont Gold Harbourview rooms on the higher floors of the original 1885 building are the honeymoon sweet spot — direct views over the marina and Hamilton Harbour, access to the Fairmont Gold lounge with included breakfast, afternoon canapés and evening cocktails. For maximum splurge, the Princess Suite on the top floor is the largest accommodation in the city, with a wraparound terrace overlooking the entire harbour and a separate living and dining room.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $1,750/nt) | $12,250 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $18,375 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $300 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $2,450 |
| Total estimated | $36,075 |
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival in Hamilton
Fly into BDA, 25-minute taxi to Hamilton ($35-45). Check in, drink at the 1609 bar overlooking the marina at sunset, dinner at Marcus or the Crown & Anchor depending on appetite. Walk Front Street after dinner for the evening colour.
South Shore Beach Day
Take the complimentary Beach Club shuttle (15 min) to the Princess's private Sinky Bay beach. Lunch at the Beach Club. Return by mid-afternoon and explore Hamilton's art galleries (Masterworks, Bermuda National Gallery), then dinner at Bolero on Front Street.
St George's Day Trip
Take the morning ferry from Hamilton harbour to St George's (45 min, $5) — UNESCO town, cobbled lanes, St Peter's Church. Lunch at Tempest Bistro. Return ferry, an hour in the Princess spa, dinner on the property at the Crown & Anchor.
Crystal Caves & Tom Moore's
Scooter east 25 minutes to the Crystal Caves. Lunch at Bailey's Bay Ice Cream. Walking through Walsingham Nature Reserve. Return and dinner at Tom Moore's Tavern, a 30-minute taxi from the city — Bermuda's oldest restaurant in a 1652 cottage. Jackets required.
Sunset Sailing Day
Late morning at the resort's marina-side infinity pool. Afternoon sunset sailing charter from the Princess's own dock — two-hour sail into the Great Sound with champagne. Dinner at Marcus on return (the chef's table at Marcus, if available, is the best meal on the island).
Horseshoe Bay & Gibbs Hill
Scooter to Horseshoe Bay for the morning, walking east through the south shore connecting trail to Warwick Long Bay. Lunch at the Lighthouse Tea Room at Gibbs Hill — climb the cast-iron lighthouse for the 360° view. Return to the city for a low-key last dinner at Pearl on Reid Street.
Final Hamilton Morning & Departure
A final breakfast on the Fairmont Gold lounge terrace, one last walk along Front Street, and the 25-minute taxi to BDA. The harbourfront location means you spend the morning watching boats arrive rather than rushing for a transfer.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
The Hamilton Princess does not have an on-property beach — the private Beach Club is a 15-minute complimentary shuttle ride away at Sinky Bay; couples who want to wake up to ocean should choose Rosewood or The Loren.
Marcus, the marquee restaurant, books two weeks ahead for prime tables in high season; reserve before arrival.
The hotel is the social anchor of Hamilton and can feel busy with non-guests in public spaces and restaurants — wonderful for the energy, less so if you came for total seclusion.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon inquiry — Hamilton Princess Dear Hamilton Princess team, We are planning our honeymoon [DATE]-[DATE] and are interested in a Fairmont Gold Harbourview room [or the Princess Suite for our splurge]. Please advise on availability, honeymoon package inclusions, Marcus dinner reservations, and Sinky Bay Beach Club cabana booking. Thank you, [Your names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Good for honeymooners?
Yes, for the right kind of couple. Hamilton Princess is ideal for honeymooners who value walkable city dining, harbour life, and the social energy of the island's hub over beach-on-the-doorstep tranquillity. The art collection, the food, and the harbourfront pool are honeymoon highlights.
Best time to visit?
May through October. June, July and August are prime swim weather with peak rates. Late September and October offer better value with still-warm water. Avoid December–March unless your honeymoon is about city life and dining rather than beach time.
Book in advance?
Fairmont Gold rooms and harbourview categories book 2–4 months out in summer; the Princess Suite books 6+ months ahead for honeymoon dates. Marcus dinner reservations should be made two weeks ahead.
Adults-only?
No — the Princess is family-friendly with kids' programmes, but its scale (400 rooms across two buildings) means honeymooners and families self-segregate, and the harbourfront 1609 area is firmly adult.
Best room type?
Fairmont Gold Harbourview on a high floor of the historic building — direct harbour views, Gold lounge access with included breakfast and cocktail hour, the original 1885 pink-palace setting.
How to get there?
L.F. Wade International (BDA) is a 25-minute taxi ($35-45) into Hamilton. The hotel arranges transfers. Direct flights from JFK (2h), Newark, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia, and London Gatwick.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
