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.
- Also Known As:
- The Hygeia House Hotel Block Island
- The Hygeia House Hotel
