Besides the comfort of rest after a day of travel and exploration, hotels can offer discerning travellers a refuge from their everyday life. With the Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club, that elegant escape surprises at every turn with some of the greatest names in modern and pop art, including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Banksy.
Acquired by Peter Green and his sons, Alexander and Andrew Green in 2012, The Pink Palace has become best known for its extensive pop art collection. Set in beautiful Sinky Bay, a private cove on South Beach on the island paradise of Bermuda, the iconic "Pink Palace" is an easy five-minute walk from downtown Hamilton. The property is among the many charming features of Bermuda, where pastel-brushed houses and pink sand beaches have inspired artists like Georgia O'Keeffe. Built in 1885, the Green Family injected $100 million in upgrades into the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club in 2016. Since then, the 386-room urban resort has had further refurbishments to its Harbourview Ballroom, Princess Ballroom, Regency Terrace, and an Executive Meeting Floor that’s ideal for larger group gatherings.
The starring attraction that draws guests and property visitors to the Fairmont managed five-star property, however, is an art collection that rivals most metropolitan museums. Here, in-house guests are privy to peruse the extensive collection that count treasures from masters like Henri Matisse at their leisure.
Tastefully curated works from some of the best known modern and pop art artists including Jeff Koons, Anish Kapoor, Ai Weiwei and Shepard Fairey occupy Hamilton Princess’ open public space.
It's a Where’s Waldo of pop art who's who. Every turn within the hotel’s public spaces – through the maze of corridors, along the high ceiling stairwells and walkways – boasts of fine works. Wander past the lobby's grand wood and glass doors into a renovated contemporary space that's filled with eye-catching pieces like Jeff Koons' Monkey (Blue) and Anish Kapoor’s concave Mirror. To the right, a series of Yoshitomo Nara’s kawaii and dark pastel paintings that depicts the story of a dog with the artist’s angry little girl heroine. Look straight ahead and find Banksy's Balloon Girl peaking out from behind Ai Weiwei's nail-free wooden ball, Untitled Divina Proportione.
Have a close encounter with sculptures such as Yayoi Kusama's Pumpkin parked near a towering 18-foot-tall wood sculpture At This Time, Companion Series by KAWS on the Hamilton Princess’ law.
The mix of mediums can captivate even the shortest of attention spans. Stand in front of interactive video installations such as the lobby’s Flowers and People – Dark by teamLab that encourages viewers to watch the artwork’s computer program respond to their presence in real time. Be greeted by Warhol's Martha Graham: Satyric Festival Song and David Hockney's Hotel Acatlán First Day heading towards the hotel’s spa. The remarkable private collection also include rare, complete collections of works such as Warhol's Camouflage and Hockney's seven drawings of Prince Charles for a Time Magazine cover (that were never used).
Artist Sean Kenney built a scale model of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club using 27,500 Lego bricks. The 2017 creation is located in the retail corridor.
While connoisseurs might choose to take a self-guided tour (available at the hotel concierge desk), the art curious can join an on-site curator on weekly walking art tours of the Hamilton Princess's 300-piece collection of modern and pop art. This is where local art docents like Fiona Murdoch with a treasure trove of knowledge point out oft-missed gems hanging out in high trafficked spaces.
It’s surprising how many visitors stop to use the lobby ATM but don’t realize they’re next to Picasso’s Dove Of Peace With Sun.
Surprising reveals include a numbered artist edition Picasso print hanging at eye-level next to the lobby ATM, and a more valuable signed doodle displayed on the mezzanine's art deco banister overlooking the lobby. There’s the appreciation of the complexities in printmaking via the side-by-side comparison of the nine-screen print portfolio of Warhol’s paintings, Flowers, and the gasps of delight when Murdoch reveals the diamond-dusted details of the artist’s four screen prints of Queen Elizabeth II which are prominently displayed behind the check-in counter.
The Hamilton Princess’ art collection rivals many of the world’s museums and displays the entire collection of many artists’ works, such as these screen prints by Warhol.
Works within the alternative gallery space move or are replaced often to keep the experience fresh. There might be a piece by urban artists Mr. Brainwash or Invader. Find a facsimile of Edvard Munch’s The Scream hiding in a back stairwell landing on one visit that could be replaced by René Magritte’s Le Beau Monde on the next. It’s here that visitors can study works by Takashi Murakami, Shepard Fairey, Jasper Johns' Two Maps II (in the Gold Wing) or a series by Nelson Mandela up-close.
Picasso’s La Colombe avec deux drapeaux tricolores hangs casually on public display on the mezzanine metres from the front entrance.
If these notable works read like a laundry list, then turn the attention to The Pink Palace’s impressive five-star facilities. The sprawling property has spacious, newly renovated guest rooms, including 45 suites and 13 junior suites. Book a room with a private terrace or check into a Fairmont Gold room, which has designated concierge service and access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge.
There are several dining options on-site including seasonal dining at 1609 and Marina Bar. Guests can opt to relax at the soothing Exhale Spa or flex their credit cards in the hotel's upscale retail corridor. Spend the afternoon in one of two heated outdoor pools that look into the harbour or take a trek to the Princess Beach Club, the property's private beach that has lounging hammocks dotting in the ocean.
1609 and Marina Bar are popular spots during the summer season for locals and guests.
With a prime spot on the waterfront, the Princess Marina's watersports facility offers rentals, as well as jet ski tours, private boat charters and deep-sea fishing trips to those looking for an unforgettable adventure. During the summer, the landmark is where Bermuda's fashionistas gather weekly for the island’s best happy hour. The 60-berth marina is Bermuda’s first and only fully-service hotel marina that offers world-class amenities for vessels of all sizes including high-end services for guests that include a dedicated marina concierge, gourmet onsite catering and on-board massage services.
Rooms at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club start at $415 USD. Private art tours can be scheduled through the property's concierge desk. thehamiltonprincess.com
