Massive renovations to one of Bermuda's top hotels will set it amongst the elite.

Starting next year, Canadian Pacific is to embark on a top-to-bottom refurbishment of the landmark Hamilton Princess with the aim of re-establishing its position in the industry.

And the hotel, which dates back to 1884, will also join an elite club of properties within the Canadian Pacific family.

The programme will be the first major work since the Princess and Southampton Princess were bought by CP last year.

It will place it amongst famous hotels such as the Banff Springs, the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, the Empress in Victoria and the Palliser in Calgary.

General manager Michael Kaile said the project will bring out the history of the site.

"We have got to go back 100 years and have a very serious look at the hotel's origins, and we want to be able to reflect that,'' he said.

The history of the hotel, which was named after Queen Victoria's fourth daughter Princess Louise who visited in 1883, will form an integral part of the renovations.

Its history will be reflected in many parts of the hotel, including historical artefacts, possibly a museum, and the stories of those who worked there.

And like famous CP hotels such as the Banff Springs in Alberta, menus, literature and other items will feature the 100-plus years of the Hamilton Princess.

With that in mind, CP has brought in its own heritage consultant to detail the history of the place which is now the oldest hotel in the CP group.

Nancy Williatte-Battet is one of a team of historians whose job it is to preserve and tell the history of CP hotels.

And her research will form much of the background for the architects and planners who will design the new hotel.

"Our heritage went back until 1886 and then we bought the two Princesses. We were really excited to learn more about the property,'' she said.

"And most important, we are interested in the contribution of the Bermudian people to the property.'' During her stay, she has been interviewing former employees and researching various archives to build up a picture of over 100 years of the Princess.

A book is planned and she is hoping that people will come forward with memorabilia and pictures, which may be incorporated in a "Hall of Fame''.

In addition, a tea is planned in the Autumn to honour former employees.

"We want to bring the Princess to the people,'' she said. "And the Bermudian people are also excited about sharing their stories with us.'' And Mr. Kaile is hoping the renovations and heritage will bring back some of the physical history lost over the years.

"We look around with a tinge of sadness and see what has been lost along the way. It is important to get a lot of that feeling back.

"Our belief is that you don't know where you are going until you have seen where you have been,'' he said.

Anyone with information about the Princess and its history is asked to contact Mrs. Williatte-Battet by fax at 1-514-697-9131.