Kingston House B&B

A white Victorian with charm to spare, Kingston House B&B won’t disappoint travelers looking for the quintessential Bermudian bed-and-breakfast. Guests are greeted by a trellised walkway that leads to a small front porch. Inside, the home’s sunny yellow living room makes a darling first impression. Honey-colored wood floors, bright floral sofas, and a working brick fireplace give the space the cozy feeling of home. Equally sunny are the home’s owners, Harry and Marlie, who greet guests with a cup of coffee and famed Bermudian hospitality. Upon arrival, guests are shown to their room (one of four throughout the house). It should be noted that three of the home’s bedrooms are located upstairs, and one is on the ground floor. Guests with accessibility requirements should request the ground-floor room, as there is no elevator. The majority of guests at Kingston House are older couples. Families with children are welcome, but all rooms have only one queen- or king-size bed, and the general atmosphere of the bed-and-breakfast is quiet and better suited for adults. Kingston House also sees many solo business travelers, since it is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Hamilton.     

Kingston House B&B is located in a quiet residential neighborhood just outside of downtown Hamilton. It is within walking distance of downtown shops, bars, restaurants, and the ferry terminal. Kingston House is not a beachfront property, nor are there any beaches within walking distance. South shore beaches are about a 15- to 20-minute cab ride, while L.F. Wade International Airport is about 25 to 30 minutes. Foreigners are not allowed to rent cars in Bermuda, but can rent mopeds. Other transportation options include taxis and the public bus. Despite being expensive, taxis are the most reliable form of transportation. The public bus doesn’t always run as scheduled, and renting a moped can be dangerous for travelers who aren’t accustomed to left-side driving laws or Bermuda’s insanely winding roads. Those who are interested in exploring by bus can walk to the main terminal in 20 minutes; almost every route across the island begins here. 

Each of Kingston House’s four rooms is individually decorated, and differ a bit in size and amenities. The Jacaranda room is the only ground-floor room, but is also the smallest. The Bird of Paradise room is larger and has its own balcony. The Bermudiana Room (which was still undergoing renovations at the time of our visit) has its own fireplace, a four-poster bed, and a soaking tub. Guests looking for specific in-room amenities should contact Harry and Marlie when booking. Though each room is individually decorated, decor throughout the rooms is much like the common areas — adorably charming, but still homey and comfortable. All rooms have hardwood floors, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathrooms, but bathrooms are generally pretty tiny. Only the Bermudiana Room has a bathtub, the rest have small shower stalls.   

Kingston House has a small pool and a beautiful patio and garden, but the pool was closed for the season during our visit. The pool is tiny, and best used for an evening dip rather than and all-day lounging spot. During the cooler months, guests tend to congregate in the guest lounge — essentially a communal living room with a sofa, TV, fireplace, and a kitchenette. The kitchenette has a full-size refrigerator and several cabinets where guests can store food items. There are also a few small appliances like a microwave, coffeemaker, and a toaster. Harry and Marlie serve a daily continental breakfast in the home’s dining room. The cost of breakfast is included in the nightly room rate and generally consists of coffee, tea, juice, fruit, freshly basked pastries, and cereal. Free Wi-Fi is available for all guests.