Island Inn Hotel

The pleasant grounds of the Island Inn Hotel originally housed a rum storage facility, and the hotel has tried to preserve some of the historic details and architecture, such as the bricks in the courtyard. Palm trees and tropical greenery surround the short, squat buildings.The Island Inn is not a large property, and most of the activity takes place around the lobby/restaurant area and pool. The lobby is large, with an additional lounge room with a handful of seating areas. There is a small library with books for guests to borrow. The lobby is a popular space for guests to enjoy an afternoon drink or play a board game. Directly outside the lobby is the bar, and connected to the bar is the restaurant, which has both covered and outdoor seating. Because these areas are so close together, the space can get crowded. Wi-Fi is available only in the lobby/bar, so many guests bring their devices there.The hotel also has a large guest lounge open 24 hours a day, with a big-screen TV and plenty of seating. The resort is small, making for a lively and friendly atmosphere. The hotel is a good choice for those who want an affordable all-inclusive holiday but don't like the feel of a large resort.    

The Island Inn Hotel is located in the Aquatic Gap off of the main road, which also houses other, larger hotels such as the Radisson Aquatica Resort and the Hilton Barbados. The hotel is also located within the Garrison Historic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the largest garrison in the British colonies in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Garrison Savannah Racetrack is a popular horse racing attraction.The hotel is a six-minute drive from Bridgetown, and a 20-minute drive from the airport.

The Island Inn Hotel has 24 rooms in five categories. While the rooms are spacious, they also tend to be dark, as they often face hallways, the pool, or other public areas, and natural light is limited. The rooms are furnished with retro-modern style -- streamlined zebra wood veneer furniture, alternating walls of brick and cinderblock painted white, and checkerboard cream and beige tile floors. Large cylindrical lamps are another vintage touch. The bed runner, pillows, and cushioned furniture are a moss-green color. Even though the '70s decor inspiration seems deliberate, the overall effect dated may be too dated for some tastes. All rooms have safes, iron and ironing boards, hairdryers, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. The bathrooms are large and more modern with bowl sinks, darker wood, and clean tile showers.The Junior Suite consists of one large room, separated into two sleeping areas. The spacious room is furnished in a classic (but still dated) style with multiple dark red wood desks, dressers, and tables.

The pool area is small, and the space is awkward, with loungers spread all around. Not all of the loungers have umbrellas, so shade can be hard to come by. The circular pool has an interesting design, with a white wall background that lights up at night. The hotel is not located directly on the beach; it’s a two-minute walk down the quiet Aquatica Gap. Pebbles Beach in Carlisle Bay is a scenic and spacious stretch of white sand. The bay keeps the water calm, unlike other beaches in Barbados, and the water is clear and turquoise blue. The Boardwalk Restaurant is the hotel’s only eating place, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a tea station that is always set up, and the hotel serves an afternoon tea spread every day that includes canapes and light snacks. Live entertainment is provided a few nights a week. The bar is on the side of the restaurant and is busy and popular.The hotel has a small fitness center with a range of equipment, including a treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, mat, and a small selection of free weights. The hotel also has multiple meeting rooms available for conferences and events.