Members of the public will have a rare chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and learn about its colourful history during a free guided tour Sunday.

The hotel is holding the event for the second time – last year's inaugural tour drew a substantial crowd of interested onlookers.

Said hotel manager Allan Trew: "We find that people are intrigued by what they learn during the tour and last year we had more than 200 people take part."

While the hotel has formed an unmistakable part of Hamilton's waterfront since its opening in 1885, its history as a centre of espionage during the Second World War is perhaps less well-known.

"Our guests are sometimes aware of the hotel's connection with Mark Twain or even that the hotel is named after England's Princess Louise, but they are fascinated to discover the pivotal role that Bermuda – and this hotel in particular – played as a spy centre during World War II," Mr. Trew added.

The hotel was closed at the beginning of World War II but subsequently reopened by the British Government to act as headquarters for the many secret agents based in Bermuda.

The role of the Princess in providing a secret command centre for spies and code-breakers working for the Allies is described in 'A Man Called Intrepid', a biography of Sir William Samuel Stephenson written by William Stevenson in 1976.

Sir William, better known by his wartime code name 'Intrepid', was a Canadian soldier, pilot, entrepreneur, inventor, sportsman and most famously, spymaster, thought by many to have provided the inspiration for Sir Ian Fleming's quintessential spy, James Bond.

Sir William described events taking place at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess during the Second World War as a: "political weapon of very special importance…a credit to all concerned."

When Sir William retired in 1964, he and his wife lived in a suite at the Princess before moving into their own home where he died in 1989 at the age of 93.

To find out more about these events and the other personalities and occasions that have made the hotel famous, and to have a firsthand look at historic areas throughout the hotel, simply show up at the hotel lobby at 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 21.

A special afternoon tea buffet will be available at a cost of $25 immediately after the tour for anyone wishing to linger.

Reservations are not required for the tours but please call the concierge at 298-5779 for reservations if you plan to stay for tea. Tours are expected to last 30-45 minutes.