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Watercolours Bermuda: An Artist's Waterfront Bed and Breakfast
Hotel Category: $$ Location: Warwick Parish
Updated: August 2026
If you want to wake up to the sound of water lapping against a private dock, Watercolours Bermuda is exactly what you are looking for. Located by the harborside in Warwick Parish, this boutique bed and breakfast offers a highly personalized alternative to massive resorts.
It is owned and operated by renowned Bermudian watercolor artist Carole Holding and her husband, Joe.
You get the distinct feeling of staying in a well-appointed private home rather than a commercial hotel. The estate sits directly on the water, giving you unobstructed views of the Great Sound.
Before diving into the full review, you might want to quickly verify if they have rooms available for your travel dates:
Check your dates for live rates and availability.
At a Glance
| Feature |
Details |
| Best Time to Go |
May through October |
| Total Cost Estimate |
Mid-range |
| Ideal Duration |
4 to 7 nights |
| Primary Transport |
Taxi or Twizy rental |
The Vibe: Who This is For (And Who Should Skip)
Watercolours is not a one-size-fits-all guest house. It caters to a very specific type of traveler looking for peace, quiet, and local charm.
Who it is for:
Couples and solo travelers seeking a quiet, waterfront escape.
Art lovers who appreciate staying in a working artist's home.
Travelers who prefer taking the scenic ferry over renting a scooter.
Who should skip:
Families with children. This is strictly an adults-only space.
Travelers who want a massive resort with a private sandy beach on-site.
Visitors who require an on-site restaurant for dinner or late-night room service.
Practical Details for Your Stay
Before you book, there are a few hard facts you need to know. The exact address is 73 Harbour Road, Warwick Parish.
Because this is a small, adults-only (18+) home, they require a minimum 4-night stay. The nightly rate falls into the mid-range category, which includes your daily continental breakfast and maid service.
Be prepared to pay a deposit upfront when booking, and always check their current cancellation policy as it is stricter than a corporate hotel.
What Surprised Visitors the Most
The personalized touches here easily rival high-end luxury hotels. Carole is a Certified Tourism Ambassador and a trained chef. Joe trained at the famous Savoy in London, which translates directly into the immaculate upkeep of the grounds and a highly refined standard of guest service. Their combined hospitality experience shows in the details.
Instead of a heavily chlorinated hotel pool, Watercolours features a fresh salt-spray pool right by the water's edge.
Guests consistently rave about Carole's homemade jams, specifically her Black Currant and Bacardi Gold marmalade. In the evenings, you might be treated to a sunset Raspberry Rum cocktail on the patio.
Room Options and Boutique Amenities
The hosts maintain an intimate boutique experience, offering four distinct guest accommodations: the Queen Suite, King Twin, Master Suite, and Harbor Suite. For flexible sleeping arrangements, the King Twin features a bed that can be converted into two twin beds.
The property sits right on the water edge, with suites offering sweeping sea views and French doors that open directly to the harbor, letting in the ocean breeze.
The amenities are surprisingly upscale for a small bed and breakfast. You will find Egyptian cotton towels and plush toweling robes in your room.
If you want to fully unwind after a long flight, they can even arrange for a professionally administered in-room Swedish massage or facial.
Room rates fluctuate quite a bit depending on the season and how far out you book. You can see what the pricing looks like for your specific trip here:
Check your dates for live rates and availability.
Breakfast by the Harbor
Morning meals at Watercolours are a daily highlight. Breakfast is served continental style by the pool, allowing you to watch the morning ferries pass by on their way to Hamilton.
Plates are filled with fresh baked breads, warm muffins, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Carole's famous homemade marmalade is always on the table, offering a sweet local flavor. Taking your time here is a slow, relaxing way to start your morning before heading out to explore.
Location and Getting Around (Common Mistakes to Avoid)
The location on Harbour Road is incredibly scenic, but it requires a bit of logistical planning. The guest house is a short 3-minute walk to the Belmont Ferry terminal. From there, it is a breezy 15 to 25-minute ride into the capital city of Hamilton.
Road Map
A common mistake visitors make is trying to walk from the property to the South Shore beaches via Keith Hall Road. Bermuda's roads are notoriously narrow, and this specific stretch has zero sidewalks and blind corners.
PRO-TIP: Do not walk up Keith Hall Road to catch the bus. If you want to walk, use the broader, scenic
Morgan Road to reach
Middle Road. Better yet, ask Carole to arrange a taxi to drop you directly at the
South Shore Beaches. It saves you a sweaty, stressful walk dodging traffic.
PRO-TIP: Twizy Rentals: Harbour Road is famously winding and narrow. If you want independence without the risk of a scooter, renting an electric micro-car is highly recommended. They navigate these tight Warwick lanes perfectly. Just ask the hosts about plugging in to charge overnight.
Ready to start planning your itinerary? You can compare rates and lock in your reservation here:
Check your dates for live rates and availability.
Dining Nearby
Since Watercolours does not serve dinner, you will need a plan for evening meals.
For a high-end dinner close to home, take a 5-minute taxi up the hill to
Blu Bar and Grill at the Belmont Hills Golf Course. It offers excellent steaks and sushi with panoramic views of the Great Sound.
Alternatively, catch the late afternoon ferry into Hamilton where you will find
dozens of restaurants ranging from casual pubs to fine dining, then take a taxi back to Harbour Road after dark.
Alternatives to Watercolours
If Watercolours is fully booked or does not quite fit your travel style, you have other great options.
If you want a cheaper stay and do not mind giving up the waterfront view, check out our guide to the
Top Cheap Bermuda Hotels. If you love the intimate bed and breakfast vibe and want to browse similar locations, explore our complete list of
Bermuda Guest houses.
About the Author
By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj has been writing about Bermuda since 2008, when he launched bermuda-attractions.com, one of the longest-standing independent guides to the island. A Certified Bermuda Specialist (Bermuda Tourism Authority), his work draws on personal visits, local contacts in Bermuda, and questions and trip reports from thousands of readers over the years.
Learn more about Raj Bhattacharya
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Visitors' Reviews and Comments
Phil Thompson (February 2019)
Raj, You always give excellent advice so here goes.... My wife and I (fit seniors) are staying with Carole and Joe Holding at Watercolours on Harbour Rd near Belmont Ferry. We want to get to the scenic South Shore Beaches Walk.
Carole says we can walk up to Middle Rd to get Bus#8. Either Keith Hall or Morgan Rd? (Is Keith Hall Rd too steep?) We then take Bus #8 to Waterlot Inn. Wait for the free? Southampton Princess shuttle to take us over to South Shore Beaches? Is this a good option?
Or As a Plan B should we take a taxi from Watercolours to beaches? Or even a Plan C where we take ferry into Hamilton then find the bus terminal to take Bus #7 out to the beaches? Is the Bus Terminal near the ferry wharf??? Any suggestions would be appreciated.... thank you.
Raj (bermuda-attractions.com) February 2019
Hi, Keith Hall road is initially little steep (when you approach from Watercolours), then flattens out and goes downhill towards the end. But that's not much of a problem. The real problem is it's very narrow and there are no sidewalks. Cars coming from behind would be a scary feeling. I suggest not to walk on that road.
Morgan Road is comparatively broader, more scenic and most importantly has a sidewalk (on the left and all along up to Middle road). Bus #8 won't go all the way up to Waterlot Inn. You need to get down at the junction of Middle road and Lighthouse road. The free shuttle of Fairmont Southampton is actually meant for the hotel / restaurant guests and not for public. Better you continue to walk and reach Horseshoe bay beach (about a mile from Middle road).
Plan-B is good, but there is no taxi stand there at Watercolours. You need to ask Carole to call one for you. Plan-C too is quite doable... the main bus terminal in Hamilton is at a walking distance from the ferry terminal (750 meters), but you can get bus#7 on Front Street as you come out of the ferry terminal.
Nancy and Richard Adams (April 2013)
We stayed at Watercolours a few years ago, for our 25th wedding anniversary. We've traveled a lot during our long lifetimes, but Bermuda has always been our favorite getaway. We've stayed in a variety of accommodations over the years, from a small BnB in Hamilton to the large waterfront resorts, but our favorite, by far, is Watercolours.
Watercolours mirrors the refinement of the island, as well as the ambiance of an English BnB. We were there with a another couple, so we thoroughly enjoyed the privacy and spectacular views as we sat by the pool drinking Gosling's 140 Proof Black Rum with Coke, something Carole Holding introduced us to.
The location of Watercolours, right next to the ferry stop, provided us the freedom to move about the island without having to hail a cab or hop on a scooter. The ferry ride to and from Hamilton was relaxing and especially enjoyable at night, with the lights from the homes and businesses reflecting in the water.
We purchased one of Carol Holdings framed prints of Watercolours, which adorns our powder room, a constant reminder of our time there. We're hoping to return to Watercolours in the next year or so, to introduce our grown children to the beauty that is Bermuda.
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