The Inn at English Harbour

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 swi

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.

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)

What a treat to vacation in such a gorgeous spot and not be overcrowded with other people - and during Christmas, the biggest travel week of the year. Always a shady spot on the beach available, calm, clear ocean, and a large pool. The water taxi to Nelson Dockyard was a really nice feature. View is amazing. The staff is very attentive and tended to a few problems we had in our room quickly and efficiently. So many lovely staff members especially everyone at the Reef and Terrace restaurants. I am especially grateful to the front desk and housekeeping for getting rooms ready when we were forced to return after our flight was canceled and for providing plates of cheese and fruit at midnight which was exactly what we needed after such an awful time at the airport.

Great location good service and excellent restaurants made this an ideal location from which to explore the island of Antigua. The staff were very accommodating and had a great deal of knowledge about the island and suggested several places we needed to try for meals and to enhance our stay.

Is there a more perfect seaside hotel than the Inn at English Harbour ? My wife and I have just returned from a week’s stay there and we don’t think so , we absolutely loved it . The hotel is perfectly positioned in one of Antigua’s most stunning locations totally private and yet so close to the historic and beautiful English Harbour . The staff are so friendly and welcoming that nothing is too much trouble. The bedrooms are luxurious and well maintained and the public areas very elegantly set out . We loved the casual breakfasts at the beachside Reef Restaurant as well the excellent dinners up at the main lodge where the views and sunsets are wonderful. It’s not cheap but you can really see what you are paying for . We are booking again for next year as we were so impressed.