Hamilton, has been accommodating tourists.

In fact, the Department of Tourism has honoured this guest facility with the "Cedar Tree'' merit award for achieving top marks in health, fire and tourism inspections yearly since 1995.

Oxford House was built in 1938 by John Vincent for Dr. Dickinson and his first wife who was of French descent. It was purpose-built as a 12 en-suite guest house but Mrs. Dickinson did not use it as such.

It has been owned and operated by the James Smith family since 1983. The gracious overseer of the establishment is Welsh-born Ann Smith.

Mrs. Smith explained, "Oxford House had lost its license and was in poor repair when we bought it. We renovated for three or four months and opened June 1, 1983.'' The Smith's first guests were a group from a Newport/Bermuda yacht race.

Prior to operating a guest house Mrs. Smith was employed in the tourism department for 20 years.

"My son Richard attended the Bermuda College and Manchester University and studied hotel management. He and his sister, Mrs. Susan Weares, own and manage the "Royal Palms'' around the corner on Rosemont Avenue. They helped us set up our reservations system. I am always learning,'' said Mrs. Smith.

Mrs. Smith enjoys her work tremendously. "I like people, I am fond of decorating and doing floral arrangements. I appreciate a well furnished home and we try to make this a lovely, comfortable retreat for our guests.'' An extract from Frommers 1996 guide reads, "Oxford is one of the best and most centrally located guest houses in Hamilton. Each accommodation gives the feeling of a private home.'' Mrs. Smith delights in chatting to the guests.

"I'm always amused by the curiosity of most of our guests. I try to stay abreast of politics and whose in power because those are key topics of the guests. And of course they ask about the location of the beaches and information on shopping, golf and restaurants.

"I am a keen golfer so I advise them on where to play and book times for them,'' said Mrs. Smith.

Open Road Publishing's "Bermuda Guide'' for 1995 wrote the following: "Of all the affordable English style bed and breakfast inns in all of Bermuda, this is the one I would put top of my list.

"The personable staff always seem to be smiling.

"This is one of Bermuda's undiscovered little treasures.

"Highly recommended.'' When Mrs. Smith was asked what the most demanding aspect of work was she responded, "Keeping the premises spotless and the guests happy.'' Mrs. Smith makes every effort to personally say good-bye to all the guests.

"We phone taxi driver, Calvin O'Connor, who takes most of our guests to the Airport. Many of the guests return year after year,'' stated Mrs. Smith.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Mrs. Smith's work is having qualified, competent staff to help her make the guests happy.

She has three dedicated staff. Sheila Hunter and May Dizon live on the premises. Esther Lewis has been employed for fifteen years. All three have been with her for several years.

"Each day we strive for excellence and at the end of the day I'd like to think that we brought a little joy into a guest's life.'' Mrs. Smith noted the number of guests who are business related comprises 50 percent of the registry. This, in part, is due to Oxford House's excellent location and its proximity to the centre of Hamilton.

A HOME ABROAD -- Ann Smith, whose family has owned Oxford House since 1983.

the property is one of the most popular small hotels on the island.