The previous review from Aug 8, 2005 is an accurate description of the current conditions at The Gothic Inn. My wife and I along with our two children intended to stay three nights from Aug. 29th thru Sept. 1st. 2005 but cut our stay short by one night due to the terrible conditions at the Inn. Upon arrival I wandered the inn and the grounds for about five minutes before I found another guest who told me to check for my name listed on a sheet of paper taped to the front door with the key in the lock of room twelve. The room appeared clean but my 15mo. old son quickly found the dead bugs in the corners along with a brown pill. Disaster was averted within the first 10 minutes and we were on guard the rest of the trip. There was also a strange brown fluid on the rug that never dried and stained my daughter’s socks when she stepped in it. There was no soap, tissues or cups in the room and the room was not made up during our stay. Security is non –existent. I believe it was another guest from an adjoining room that opened a door leading to our room after my curious 4yr old daughter knocked on the door. We were unable to lock this door from inside of our room. It was virtually impossible to keep the filthy shower at a consistent water temperature. The lack of Air Conditioning in the room made it difficult to sleep since the sheets constantly felt wet. The window screens were torn allowing bugs and mosquitoes to enter the room. When I was leaving I also noticed the upper sash from the double hung window was missing. The “antique” furniture appeared to be nothing but broken mis-matched salvaged pieces. The twenty-something that checked me out when I was leaving became rude when I would not give her a more elaborate answer to why we were leaving early. I would have liked to speak to the owners but they were nowhere to be found. I didn’t feel my comments would matter to a college kid that had no vested interest in improving the inn. We paid $605 for a three night stay that only lasted two and that was two too many.

Unfortunately, earlier reviews from August 2004 remain right on the mark. We booked late so our options were limited--however this inn is not a true B and B. If located any where but Block Island, I doubt it would remain in business for very long. The owners obviously do not respond to client suggestions.

The owners are absentee and never showed up to even greet us. In fact, when we arrived there was a simple note on the front door telling every arriving guest which room every other guest was in and leaving the room key in the room door. Never mind the lack of personal attention or protection of personal privacy--this situation is a potential security nightmare (even if Block Island is very safe.)

While architecturally the building has some appeal, the rooms are very tiny and the bathrooms are appalling (no soap, shampoo, tissues, or towels.) Our room was clean on arrival but never made up again. In fact, we had to scrounge up some towels from a cleaning closet in order to shower for the wedding we were attending on Saturday afternoon. We know for a fact that at least two other rooms were not cleaned either because they were going to the same wedding we were and also didn't have fresh towels much less a made up room.

As an earlier reviewer noted, if you think because you are paying $200 a night for room that it meets some minimum quality standard you are in for a very rude awakening. If this place were anywhere else it would not even qualify as a $25 a night flophouse.

I strongly recommend you skip the scary experience at the Gothic Inn.

I have been staying at the Gothic Inn the in July for the last 10 years.
It's a great place to get a way and relax on rustic Block Island. If it is not plush enough for you should take your poodle and go to Nantucket with Muffy and Buffy. Golf and Tee Shirts Only !

Highly Recommended !

Mike Bradley Needham MA

We just returned from a visit to Block Island, and 3 nights at the Gothic Inn. Contrary to the other reviews at this site, we had a pleasant time staying at the Inn. No, it is NOT fancy. Yes, it does seem expensive, but other destinations on the island, were much more costly.
The location was an easy walk from the ferry, as well as true walking distance from several lovely beaches. The breakfast was simple. Good homemade muffins, fresh fruit and yogurt, bagels, cereal, and good OJ.
We stayed in room 10 on the 3rd floor. When we booked, the nice young woman on the phone told me it was her favorite room, because of the ocean views. We liked the room very much for that reason as well. Plus, there were two windows allowing wonderful ocean breezes! We did share a bath with others on the floor, but had absolutely no problem with water supply or access. A white robe was left in our room with the towels to use for visits to the nearby bath. A simple, but nice touch.
The Inn allowed us to keep our luggage on the first floor after checking out. They even would have allowed us to take showers later in the day if we were leaving on a late ferry...a very nice plus!
Does the Gothic Inn need a bit of updating and maintenance inside and out? Absolutely! After seeing glimpses of other rooms and baths, we did luck out with our accommadations. It should be added that our room was very small, but certainly big enough for a long weekend visit. Would we book a room there again? Yes we would.
One last note. We were busy much of the time while on the island, however, we did have some delightful conversations with a group of physicians staying at the Gothic Inn who were visiting from New York City. There was absolutely no problem with the type of guest who stayed at the Inn while we were there over the Labor Day weekend.