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This landmark luxury hotel launched Bermuda's tourist industry and is still going strong. Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, it is brighter and better than ever. Its sibling, the Fairmont Southampton, has better dining, grander facilities, and the advantage of being on a beach, but it is somewhat remote; the Hamilton Princess earns fans and devotees because it is more conveniently positioned for shopping and sightseeing. The hotel, which evokes a wedding cake, is near downtown Hamilton, on the edge of Hamilton Harbour. Elbow Beach (the closest beach) is a 20-minute taxi ride or 45-minute bicycle ride from the hotel. The easily accessible ferry delivers guests to the Fairmont Southampton , and sun lovers can get their fill at the sandy stretch there. The lack of a beach here doesn't keep the glitterati away: This is the hotel of choice for Hollywood and European movie stars, as well as the yachting set. Past visitors have included everyone from Mark Twain to Michael Jackson (quite a range!).

Opened in 1884 and named for Princess Louise (Queen Victoria's daughter), this Princess is far more staid than the Fairmont Southampton. It doesn't even attempt to offer the roster of activities available at Elbow Beach, so the young and the restless might want to book elsewhere. This is the flagship of the Fairmont hotel chain, and it's certainly the one with the most history: British intelligence officers stationed here during World War II worked to crack secret Nazi codes.

Modern wings, pierced with row upon row of balconied loggias, surround the hotel's colonial core. The property was designed around a concrete pier that extends into the harbor, near a Japanese-style floating garden. Many of the spacious rooms have private balconies, which were designed "to create the feeling that you'd choose the same kind of bedroom if you owned a home here." Most of the tiled bathrooms are generous in size. Some 40% of the guests are repeat visitors.

The hotel has a wide array of bars and restaurants.

Facilities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; heated freshwater swimming pool, unheated saltwater swimming pool; access to golf, tennis, horseback riding; sailing, and white-sand beaches at the Fairmont Southampton; fitness center featuring an exercise room with extensive exercise equipment, massage area, saunas, and showers; water-aerobics classes; dive shop (an independent concessionaire); concierge; moped rental; business center; salon; limited room service; babysitting; laundry service/dry cleaning; executive suites; nonsmoking rooms; rooms for those w/limited mobility.

© 2005, Wiley Publishing, Inc.