The Fairmont Hamilton Princess has opened the ballroom that it reserves for its most well-heeled guests to the general public to rent.

Among the distinguished guests to have frequented the ballroom include Mark Twain and Sir Winston Churchill.

The former Fairmont Gold Lounge has been the reserve of the hotel’s gold standard guests for more than a decade, but it was decided that the space was being underused.

The 2,600-square foot room can accommodate about 300 people and is ideal for weddings, cocktail parties, meetings and corporate events, according to Roydell Neverson, director of rooms at the hotel.

No changes are being made to the room itself, aside from the placement of colourful, modern art on the walls from the hotel owners’ private art collection.

“It is such an elegant room, it certainly opens itself up to dinners and meetings as well as wedding and cocktail receptions,” Ms Neverson said.

“It’s very exciting. Look at the high ceilings, the crystal chandeliers and the beautiful, hand-painted Wedgewood ceiling.

“There are two balconies: the south one faces Hamilton Harbour and there are smaller alcoves on either side of the room. Besides it being elegant, it is historic and has a romantic feel.”

The room is officially called the Trudeau Ballroom, named after Pierre Trudeau, the former Prime Minister of Canada.