Opened in 1970, Salt Kettle House (10 Salt Kettle Rd., tel. 441/236-0407, fax 441/236-8639, cottages $85 per person, main house rooms $75 per person, breakfast included; lower rates Dec. 1–Mar. 1) has been the kind of place many Bermuda visitors prefer to keep secret. Maybe it’s the fact you can’t help but thoroughly believe her when innkeeper Hazel Lowe says she loves what she’s doing. Maybe it’s the restful hammock between the waterside whispering pines, or the resident duck, or the turquoise shutters, but the quaint property breathes utter peace.

With five rooms in the rambling house with use of the main kitchen, and four simple but nicely appointed cottages with full kitchens, the property delivers an affordable opportunity to experience life in one of Bermuda’s most historic neighborhoods. It can accommodate a total of 22 guests. Trellised gardens, a gracious old homestead, and a serene bay with boats bobbing at their moorings make Salt Kettle House a winner. The ferry stop is within easy access, at the end of Salt Kettle Lane.

“Please remove tar from feet with Lestoil,” cautions a front-door sign at Little Pomander Guest House (16 Pomander Rd., tel. 441/236-7635, fax 441/236-8332, info [at] littlepomander [dot] com, $175 d with breakfast), a clue to the quaint whimsy of this waterfront property. Perched on the edge of Foot of the Lane, where boaters meander past on their way up the harbor, it’s hard to imagine a more intimate place to kick back in Bermuda.

Just five minutes around the harbor’s edge to Hamilton, with lovely views of the water and cityscape across the way, Little Pomander may not be high-tech or five-star, but it offers a homey and very convenient island retreat. The cottage-style home is such a delectable icing-like shade of pink, you almost feel you could reach out and break off a corner to nibble. Five air-conditioned rooms all have private bath, cable TV, microwave, refrigerator, phone, and harbor views. The harborfront garden, with deck chairs shaded by a brilliant poinciana tree, is a perfect spot to sunbathe or people-watch. Credit cards accepted.

Next to the private Pomander Tennis Club sits Erith Guest House (15 Pomander Rd., tel. 441/232-1827 or 441/535-6369, erith [at] therock [dot] bm, www.erithguesthouse.com, $175 standard room, $195 superior, $250 suite), a renovated old Bermuda home with six guest rooms, a one-bedroom suite, a swimming pool, and a hot tub. All rooms have air-conditioning, cable TV, Internet access, phones, microwaves, coffeemakers, irons, hair dryers, and a refrigerator. The superior room has a kitchenette, while the suite offers a full kitchen and private balcony. Ground-floor units have private entrances.

Tangerine-bright Dawkins Manor (29 St. Michael’s Ln., tel. 441/236-7419, info@dawkins manorhotel.com, www.dawkinsmanorhotel.com, $210 d) may be a too-imposing appellation for this cozy, family-run guesthouse, but it captures the imagination. Located on a busy residential street, with a grocery store at one end and a primary school at the other, the house is nonetheless a calm respite for travelers. Run by Celia Dawkins, the business thrives on repeat visitors and word-of-mouth praise for the hospitality, neat rooms, and handy location (near beaches, bus stops, cycle liveries, and Hamilton). Eight standard guest rooms are located in the main house, with private bathrooms, refrigerators, coffeemakers, and microwaves. One- and two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens are in a complex across the road. The property also has an unheated pool.

Sun-worshippers choose Paraquet Apartments (South Shore Rd., tel. 441/236-5842, fax 441/236-1665, info@paraquet apartments.com, www.paraquetapartments.com, starting at $175 d) for their affordable proximity to Elbow Beach. Set on a hillside above the busy main road, three basic units include private bathroom with shower, small refrigerator, and patio. There are nine larger units with full kitchens. The popular Paraquet Restaurant sits on the same property.