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The Hygeia House: Traveler Reviews

Beach Avenue, Block Island, RI 02807
Hotel amenities
The Hygeia House
Ranked #17 of 30 Block Island B&B and Inns
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46 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveler rating
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    16
    5
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    11
Date Rating
Peoria, Illinois
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
“In the end, I'm glad we stayed there.”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed October 12, 2012

I stayed at the Hygeia House with my wife and children for 4 nights in August and overall, our Block Island vacation was an awesome one. The house has an interesting history and it’s in a great location. It’s a beautiful old inn restored by its owners, Lisa and Champlin Starr. There are personal artifacts on display and water views from almost every window. It’s not far from the beach or the new harbor, (or the old harbor, for that matter). We had two connecting rooms on the lower level that looked out on the backyard. It felt very private and secluded and it was nice having the outdoor shower and hammock at our disposal. As an urban explorer/photographer, it was a real treat seeing the framed photographs of the Hygeia House when it was abandoned. I instantly loved the place when I saw those old pix.

As it says on their website, the house was renovated in 1999, but I think it’s ready for another make-over. The carpets are old. The paint is peeling. The radiators are rusty. The rooms are musty. You get the picture. As many reviewers stated, the breakfast provided was fine, but nothing special. We had breakfast there twice which fit into our schedule well.

During the first few days of our stay Lisa Starr was there and she was friendly, even if a bit standoffish. We also met Brother, the dog and Jules, the cat. They were both friendly and Jules even came in our room and hung out for a while. Never got to bond with Lisa, because midway into the week she left on a trip and another woman took her place. Her name was Leppy and she was hysterical and fun and quirky. She was a character right out of a movie and should have her own reality show. The house came alive and was filled with her energy. We felt welcomed and she made it easy to overlook the things that were not up to par. In the end, I’m glad we stayed there, but the next time we visit Block Island, we will probably try another place.

Room Tip: Rooms on the lower level are more private and have easy access to the backyard and outdoor shower.
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  • Stayed August 2012, traveled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Disappointed”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed September 26, 2012 via mobile

While attending a wedding on Block Island, we stayed 2 nights at the Hygeia House. After spending nearly $200 per night, we were extremely disappointed. The house had a lovely antique feel about it in general. The linens in the bathroom were frayed and there was no bath mat. The bed was lumpy and the room was small. The breakfast was the most disappointing. On the second day, there wasn't even the fruit salad as there had been the day before. The baked goods all seemed to be store bought, and very mediocre. The kitchen, off the dining room, was a mess. Although the staff was not rude, they were not overly welcoming either.
On a positive note, the location was good. We were able to walk everywhere. The porch and yard were great for hanging out.
For the same price, I have stayed elsewhere and gotten much more for my money. Although I feel the Hygeia House could be spiffed up, I think they should begin improving the breakfast.

Stayed September 2012, traveled as a couple
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Travelers are raving about these Block Island hotels

Stafford, Virginia
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
13 hotel reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“Charming”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed July 21, 2012

Beautiful view and breezes from our room. The house is very old and authentic looking. Our bed dipped a little in the middle and the room smelled a little funky if you shut the windows but other than that no complaints. The owner was friendly and helpful. The breakfast was delicious...homemade berry muffins, fruit, bagels, fresh coffee, juice. Old dog named Brother that roamed the lower level...gave the place even more character :D We sat on the huge front porch in rocking chairs watching the sun set and enjoying the breeze. Lovely place to stay.

  • Stayed June 2012, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Massachusetts
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
4 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“A lovely getaway--home-away-from-home with gorgeous views!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 6, 2012

Location, location, location!!! And gorgeous views! I loved the story of the renovation, and the family names for each of the unique rooms--Hygeia House feels steeped in history, yet the vibe is comfortable, relaxing, and laid-back. We used Hygeia House as a central location from which to explore the island on our bikes. Host Lisa helped with recommendations about what to see and do on the island. My one regret is that I did not have enough time to peruse the poetry and literary artifacts on display in the house, but even that has a silver lining--I will need to come back again!!!

Room Tip: both east & west sides of the house have amazing views, and rooms on higher floors will have few...
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  • Stayed April 2012, traveled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Tarrytown, NY
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
13 hotel reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
“Relaxing and Comfortable”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed October 6, 2011 via mobile

My kids and I enjoyed a long weekend here in September. Our room was perfect for a family - two bed rooms and on the lower level so we didn't bother others with our noise. Breakfast was good and filling. The atmosphere was very cordial and friendly. My kids loved Brother the golden retriever. The only consideration for a family- my sense is that the place is more for retorted and couples. We were the only family there and felt a little out of place.

  • Stayed September 2011
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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National Hotel
Great value on a similar hotel
Block Island, RI
3.5 of 5 stars 98 Reviews
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Additional Information about The Hygeia House

Also Known As:
The Hygeia House Hotel Block Island
The Hygeia House Hotel
Address: Beach Avenue, Block Island, RI 02807
Region: United States > Rhode Island > Block Island
Hotel Style:
Ranked #17 of 30 B&Bs / Inns in Block Island
Price Range: $

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