The Fairmont Southampton, with 593 rooms and 100 acres, reigns as the largest hotel in Bermuda. Perched on a hilltop, the hotel is surrounded by trees and an expansive "lawn" that's actually an 18 hole, executive golf course. We like the property because it's one of the few in Bermuda to have its own, good-sized beach, plus a children's program and an indoor pool.

Family-friendly properties with good beaches are scarce. Indoor pools and good children's programs are scarcer still. A Bermudian resort with all three virtues is a jewel. That's why my family and I have been vacationing at the Fairmont for years.

Most hotels (Elbow Beach is the prime exception) sit on slivers of sand or near one of Bermuda's glorious pink-hued beaches. As a family on vacation, we want the amenities of a hotel beach: lounge chairs and towels that we don't have to drag with us or rent; good food and clean bathrooms; and the privilege of signing tabs to our room so we need not carry cash. A hotel beach provides this.

The only caveat about the Southampton's beach: it's across the street and down the hill from the main building, accessible by the complimentary hotel shuttle buses or by walking. Before my family and I stayed at the Southampton the first time, we feared that bussing it to the beach would be a hassle. It wasn't, although sometimes we had to wait a bit for the three-minute ride. Most mornings we enjoyed the seven-minute stroll to the sand.

Bermuda is famous as a year-round golfing destination. Tourists flock to the island in summer to golf, but locals traditionally only swing through the island's many courses September through May 24 (Bermuda Day). After that, the locals consider the weather too hot for good play.

The Fairmont Southampton also hosts a year-round children's program for ages five to 12; details of the Explorers Camp follow under Family Activities.

Why is the indoor pool important? Answer: Bermuda makes a wonderful, off-season, "dollar stretcher" vacation. November through March hotel rates drop 20% to 60%. Even late in the fall when the chilly Atlantic precludes swimming, the air temperatures hover at a springlike 65 degrees to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Wear a light jacket when strolling the beach or building sandcastles; for swimming, head to the hotel's indoor pool.

The resort's sister property, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, debuted January 1, 1885, and soon became the gem of Bermuda. Located in the town of Hamilton on the harbor, the hotel attracted such luminaries as Winston Churchill, Ian Fleming, Mark Twain and Frances Hodgson Burnett. During World War II, the hotel's basement served as an intelligence station for censors who scrutinized mail, radio and telegraphic communications.

In 1959,as part of a deal to build a new resort on the island's south shore - the property that eventually became the Fairmont Southampton - a wealthy American purchased the Hamilton Princess, added a new wing and renovated the property. In 1999, the two resorts were purchased by Canadian Pacific Railway and became part of the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts Company.

In 2004, the Fairmont Southampton, a AAA Four Diamond rated property, completed a $65 million renovation that revamped the lobby, guest rooms and the spa under the direction of interior designer Frank Nicholson. The tasteful decor, with its sea green and coral hues, makes us think of Lily Pulitzer gone British.

The 410-room Fairmont Hamilton Princess is Bermuda's second largest property. A complimentary ferry operates between the two properties, making it convenient for guests at the Fairmont Southampton to get into town and back. Just pay attention to the ferry schedule.

In season young children receive a toy bucket and shovel at registration as a welcome gift and information about the Explorers Camp. The friendly staff members wish you a "Bermudaful day." There's much to do on Bermuda. The island, especially in season, offers an easy-to-reach getaway that's a warm weather alternative to Florida or the Caribbean.

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