The Inn at English Harbour

Complete is the word I think best describes our stay at The Inn. This was the most pleasant vacation experience we’ve ever had, with every need and whim met with enthusiasm. Cabin 9 is right on the beach, just yards from the sea and the private jetty. The room, while not huge, has all the features you would expect. The Reef cafe is also just a few yards away. There, you enjoy breakfast, lunch, and tea served by a friendly staff. Dinner is a wonderful experience at The Terrace. The food is outstanding and they have special nights like the Italian night and a barbecue night. The highest praise I have is for the staff. To a person every one was friendly and eager to help, and seemed to genuinely enjoy engaging in conversation. Another bonus is the fact that this is a small, boutique hotel. We got to know several of our fellow guests and enjoyed seeing them each day. I really can’t say enough about The Inn. I’m very hopeful that we will be visiting here again.

It is a rare moment when you genuinely want to hug staff members upon a departure from an Inn, but we did just that. A very harmonious group of employees that extend warmth, kindness, and helpfulness. I think we miss them more than the ever-present island breeze, and stunning view. The Inn attracts lovely people whose temperaments are low-key, friendly, and easily approachable. We met, and struck up many conversations with quite a few guests. It was part of the daily joy. And, we noticed that almost ninety-nine percent of the guests had been to the Inn repeatedly over the years. Something you don't often hear. The Inn's reception area is so alluring with the windows wide open allowing the delightful breeze to spill in. All so naturally beautiful, and soothing. This is a special place to savor, and create indelible moments.

This was our fourth visit to the Inn at English Harbour and previously I have given 5 star reviews but sadly both my partner and I agree that it's not quite worthy this year of top scores. Here are our reasons and the pros and cons. Pros 1. The resort is stunning and beautifully maintained by the gardening team. 2. The location in English harbour is terrific, you can watch all the boats passing into English Harbour. If you feel like a change of scenery in the day, the short boat ride with Captain Vere provides access to the harbour, sadly this finishes abruptly at 4pm and the times are very regimented. 3. The sand on the beach and swimming is wonderful close to the jetty, but not further along the Bay - see note about Loose Cannon below. 4. The lunch menu is fantastic and the reef restaurant a beautiful location to spend a leisurely lunch. 5. We love playing tennis and hardly any one uses the courts, good to see 8 new tennis balls had been bought, but not enough when both courts are being used. The rackets are also quite old now and could easily be replaced 6. The rooms are lovely, we have stayed in all the room levels and this time chose a cabana. It was small and convenient being next to the beach and I believe recently updated, but really needed decent sized mosquito nets over the bed as the sandflies were rife and small enough to come through the window in bathroom and vents. 7. The reception staff are wonderful as were the reef restaurant staff. Cons 1. Each year there are obvious cuts to quality of food. When we first stayed at the resort there was fresh fruit and squeezed fruit juice delivered to the table for breakfast, now it's self serve and the juice seemed long life. The breakfast is poor, several times I had to send uncooked eggs back or simply leave uneaten, in the end I didn't order from the breakfast menu. 2. The dinner menu is limited and dated and apart from a new pasta section, the menu has not changed in the last 4 years. In our view, the food is below standard for a five star hotel and I have fed this back several times to management. At our first evening meal, fish was served semi frozen in the middle, and we saw another family walk out mid way. As we were staying half board, we chose to have lunch each day and took taxis ($30 round trip) to eat out in English Harbour we didn’t return for dinner, we love Incanto and Catherine’s Cafe 3. Although the location in the bay is beautiful, the noise from Loose Cannon is an issue. The thumping of 'house style' music throughout the day and partying at night has changed the whole perspective and clientele of the Bay. I realise this is not the hotels fault, and for some guests having Loose Cannon may be an added bonus, but the noise… 4. I didn't feel safe swimming the length of the bay due to the constant arrival of speed boats dropping youngsters off at Loose Cannon. Again, not a criticism of the hotel, but it does limit where you can safely swim. 5. They removed the dangerous rusty float that you could swim up to near the jetty, however it would have been nice to have replaced it with some of the more modern round ones for guests to relax on in the water. 6. Whilst the rooms are lovely and colonial in style, the facilities in them need updating, I would expect a 5 star resort to have a free Nespresso coffee maker or something similar for the room price paid, not a Nescafé sachet and kettle as in a Travelodge. It’s standard in the other 5 star hotels. 7. Whilst we were having lunch one day, the owners son and a model were being filmed for a promotional video right in front of the restaurant while we were eating, we were told by the staff that they are trying to attract a younger clientele. It caused quite a discussion in the restaurant, and did not go down well with the guests whom 80% I would say are retired. 8. As a returning guest, who is clearly invested in the hotel and its people, I did not feel valued and it would have been nice to at least have had some acknowledgement by the owner manager when we arrived, particularly as I had spoken directly with him several times. Many of the regular staff seemed to have left. My partner and I love the Inn, so this has a been a challenging review to write as every time we return it’s like coming home, but sadly our recent visit has made us think twice.

Second visit to the lovely Inn. All was as it should be in this lovely oasis in the sunshine. We had a lovely upstairs larger room, 27, with a great balcony that enabled us to enjoy the outside even when it was raining. Since our last visit 2 years ago, the addition of the buggy to run guests up and down is great, much less of a deal than a taxi. The rooms were generally in good condition - but do remember that everywhere in the real Caribbean feels the effects of the rain, sun and humidity but that is part of its charm. This is the perfect place to watch the rowers home from the Worlds Toughest Row and they were arriving thick and fast at the end of our stay. And of course trips to Nelson’s and Falmouth and Shirley Heights etc are always fun and so easy from here. The positives here - extremely easy pace, very relaxing - no kids under 10 (lovely!) - boutique, small nature : no fights for sunbeds etc. - charming rooms with good A/C - breakfast, lunch, tea all lovely - location - right by Nelson’s dockyard in a beautiful setting on the sheltered side Possible negatives / things to be aware of - this is a low key resort - no bling here - as such, the rooms are lovely but not glitzy. There are little birds flitting around, the houses are made of wood and so they show the effect of the elements - the only change from 2 years ago is Loose Cannon which has set up further round on Galleon Beach and is boom boom boom all day. It’s a pity but there’s not much the Inn can do about it. Sometimes - Sundays and when the wind is from the SE - it’s just a bit too much. All in all though a really lovely ten days in much needed winter sun. Staff are excellent and the huge number of repeat guests from this largely older, British clientele, speaks to the loyal following this hotel inspires (ourselves included)

We stayed as a family at the Inn over Christmas 2024 (two parents and two sons (23 & 21)). We had the best holiday ever. The Inn was perfect for our needs. Discreet, small and luxurious. There was enough action in the locality for our active sons (laser sailing, the "Loose Canon" beach bar, Shirley Heights, tennis, etc) while my wife and I enjoyed a very relaxing break sunbathing, reading and swimming. I cannot recommend it highly enough. We had been to Carlisle Bay before but this was better, especially with our sons. The area is stunning and the Inn has the best position. The quiet, discreet 'colonial' style was just to our liking, no sign of celebs or 'influencers'! No need to get up early to reserve a lounger and so on, there are more of those than guests. The staff were amazing, creating a friendly and family atmosphere. Nothing was too much trouble. The food is outstanding, as is the wine list. Go for half board so you have flexibility over lunch or dinner. That said, expect a decent size additional bill for extras; such as drinks, taxis, wine etc. We loved our large, ground floor junior suite/room (20) so we could just walk out to the pool/beach. But all rooms are very well appointed and much of a muchness. That said, some have Queen size beds (why?) so if you want a King sized bed make sure you ask in advance. Likewise for single beds for 'children'. Adjoining rooms can also be arranged (e.g. 29 & 30). It is difficult to find fault. Our one bit of feedback was for the Inn to invest in a Hobby Cat for another option for sailing in Galleon Bay. We will be back once the coffers are replenished!