We stayed at "The Inn" for one night before a bareboat sailing charter in Antigua, specifically choosing this location so we could easily go to the jump-up at Shirley Heights. After a long, tedious day of travel (including a lost bag), arriving at The Inn was like reaching a safe haven. We were greeted warmly at the front desk, quickly dispatched with check-in formalities, and immediately shuttled to our Superior Suite (located near the pool and beach, but not right on the beach).

The suite itself is lovely and spare, truly West Indian in style. A white, high-ceilinged space with a comfortable bed, potted palms, a seating area, and a large patio. 7 louvered windows, 2 sets of louvered french doors (leading to the patio), and two ceiling fans made air-conditioning superflous, and we actually had to cover up at night. The bath is large and well-equippped (including bidet and huge walk-in shower), with designer toiletries.

The site is a hillside tumbling down to a beach right at the entrance to English Harbour (in Antigua for sailing ourselves, we loved watching the boats come and go). Shuttle service from the lower rooms to the main areas of the hotel was prompt and easy. The grounds are landscaped with palms and tropical flowers. The common areas of The Inn are all stone and varnished woodwork with a commanding view of the sea. It's a clubby yet comfortable atmosphere, and we enjoyed hanging out at the bar (with the friends we were traveling with, and the friendly bartender) for drinks after Shirley Heights, with the music from Shirley Heights still audible.

The breakfast buffet at the beachside restaurant is a bit pricey, but the service was friendly and the buffet well-stocked. The location on the beach was gorgeous, though the no-see-ums were just as hungry as we were.

I would stay here again in a heartbeat, and only wish we had more time to devote to a land-based stay in Antigua.

Expectations were fairly modest (but see what happened when they were high in my review on Biras Creek, Virgin Gorda!). In the event we were thrilled with nearly every aspect of our stay.

We had visited Nelson's Dockyard by boat some 3 years earlier and knew that english Harbour was the place on Antigua most likely to appeal to us. You can escape from the Hotel and go for long walks (linch at Carlise Bay confirmed our worst fears about being entrapped in a Hotel Resort).

Service on arrival was friendly and efficient (what kind of welcome do those Trip Advisor reviewers who complained about their reception actually want? Banners? Music?). We were taken by car down to our rooms, one de luxe suite (first floor, number 27 and one ordinary suite next door, number 26, for our 3 boys). The suite was just lovely. High sealings, lots of wood, colonial style decor, fab big bathroom, celing fans, super huge veranda overlooking gardens , pool and sea.

There was a problem with the room being rather hot but powerful electric fans were brought for both rooms on request. Also a mosquito problem, but we were provided with coils and on request supplied with repellant spray for the rooms. Then very little problem in the rooms from the little demons.

We dined at least 3 times at the terrace restaurant, one of the most beautiful locations I've visited in the Carribbean. The food was good; not stunning, not quite first class but certainly good value and a lot better than in many of the other places we visited in antigua. Sitting on the terrace having dinner under the stars and overlooking the bay was magical. Freindly, cheerful and efficient service.

We had breakfast and snacks at the beachside bar/restaurant. These were good, again taking into account the prices being charged.

The opportunities for activity were excellent. You can take the boat shuttle across to Nelson's Dockyard and go for long walks along the headland. You can use the Hotel's (albeit fairly limited) equipment, ie kayaks, wind surfers etc. Good swimming and walks into town or to Shirley Heights for the energetic.

Shirley Heights was a very pleasing surprise. I had feared it would be ghastly and tacky but it was very understated, lovely architecture and had the most incredible views.

Other guests were mainly foreign, a big Italian contingent (who were very friendly and great fun). No small children to cause disturbance at meal times.

Staff were certainly perfectly polite and anxious to please. Maybe not effusive, but I think that's the Carribbean way.

Overall, we loved it. should we ever return to Antigua, we would definitely stay there again.

Spent three nights here after a week in Montserrat. Found the setting idyllic though hotel some drawbacks.

At first we were booked into two of the hillside cottages next to the main reception area. These are dated with poor plumbing. When we arrived one shower did not work and the next morning neither rooms had any water at all. They are also a stiff 300 metre climb from the beach,pool and breakfast/lunch/drinks bar although there is a shuttle car it is good to be independent and not have to call for the car.
Due to the water problem we were relocated to beach front cottages 10 paces from the sea. Similar decor but more attractive but no tv and more humid as not hillside breeze ( all rooms had inefficient ceiling fans). Did not see inside the suites but probably at lot nicer as newer.Mosquitoes were a problem though burners were provided.

The staff are friendly and helpful - dont mistake laid back carribean attitude for not caring. Found Antiguans generally to be some of the friendlest and helpful people we have come across on holiday.

Food was pricey at the beach bar (US$14 for club sandwich) and we avoided. the attractive terrace restaurant as expensive and limited menu for fussy teenagers. Unfortunately other restuarant on the beach was shut. To get to English harbour village in the evening and the excellent Trappas and Abracadabra restaurant cost US$20 taxi return.
Pool and beach quiet. Mainly Italians staying. Used free water taxi (operated until 4pm) twice though English harbour quiet and many bars shut as the low season.
Car necessary to see other parts of island would probably locate elsewhere if came again as local bus service very good but bus stop too far from this hotel. Stayed here this time as wanted to see Nelsons Dockyard and no other hotel nearby had pool.

We booked this place online. Let's talk about the positives first:
It is about a 30 minute drive from the airport. We pulled up and were greeted by friendly staff. They had us in the wrong room but quickly honored our request. When you first walk into the place it is all open and the view from the top of the hill is breathtaking. Their is a cute bar and restuarant. It also has a quaint library. This Inn is in a very remote area and very quiet. We had a rental car so then someone drove infront of us to take us down the hill to our oceanfront cottage.

The negative:
The Oceanfront cottage is litterally on the Ocean. You take a couple steps down and there is the beach and dock. The view is spectacular. BUT.. the room needs renovating.. it is decorated from the 1950's. It was sort-of clean... They did make our bed daily and hang new towels. It was very hot and buggy(which we knew about the bugs) the fan in the celing is pretty much worthless. I just didn't feel like it was exactly all that clean.. BUT again.. the view was amazing.. Just spray some bug spray on before bed. Some of the screens had holes in them.

The little restaurant down on the beach was darling and the food was VERY fresh. We had breakfast there every monring and even ordered a late afternoon snack. The wait staff was not that friendly. We felt like we were bothering them.($16 forContinental breakfast, $8 for an Omelet) Noone was barely at the pool. It was a little dirty with sand and dirt and the cushions on the lounge chairs needed some updating but it was OK.
The restuarant up on the hill in the Terrace was beautiful and the food was delicious. A little pricey though.

The fitness room- well just your basics. It did have a treadmill and eliptical. Had some(about 3) basic weight machines that kinda-of worked. It did have free weights and a water cooler for water. If needed, their is a shower in the "fitness room"

The grounds were kept up and just your basic nothing fancy.. The beach out front of our room was OK. It was a littly rockey and the water wasn't as clear as some of the other beaches we went to.

It was very close to Nelson's Dockyard(Just a boat ride away) and also close to Shirley Heights. We could even hear the music from our room on that sunday. Shirley Heights is on Sunday and Thursday.

Woudl I stay there again, probably not.. The view was amazing and it was very quiet.. If they updated a couple things maybe we would return....