Island Inn

Barbados, Caribbean

Star rating

The hotel

Island Inn is a quaint, 24-room, All Inclusive property situated less than a mile from the centre of Historic Bridgetown and within the Garrison Area — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel is footsteps away from the beach at the beautiful Carlisle Bay and Pebbles Beach where the horses come and bathe early morning, and is conveniently close to shops and restaurants. Island Inn will amaze you with its disarming simplicity and old world charm, it was originally built as the rum storage facility for the British regiment in Barbados in 1804! Take advantage of your free scuba diving demo in the pool before hitting the big blue, discovering an underwater world that’s just as beautiful as what lies above! The swimming pool makes a change from the beach and is a charming place to lounge beside, soaking up the sun or reading a good book. There’s also The Boardwalk Restaurant for eclectic dining, serving dishes regarded as very special by locals and guests alike. Evenings tend to be very low key although there is live music three times a week plus a weekly manager’s rum punch party to meet and mingle with fellow guests.

Amenities

  • Babysitting service
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Laundry Service
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Swimming Pool
  • Close to Beach

Where is it

In the Garrison Historic area, just a 2-minute walk away from the beach at beautiful Carlisle Bay, less than a mile from Bridgetown. Local attractions include George Washington House, Brownes Beach and Barbados Parliament Buildings. Transfer time from airport: 30 minutes.

Hotel information

24 stylish rooms and suites on 1 level. All with air-conditioning, TV, telephone, alarm clock/radio, safe, tea/coffee-making facilities, hairdryer, iron and ironing board. Standard Rooms are located in the original historic building and have either garden or courtyard views, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 people.

All Inclusive of: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. All local brand drinks except for speciality wines/Champagne. All entertainment and activities above unless stated otherwise.

Superior Garden View Rooms are larger and located in either the original historic building or in the southern block of the hotel with views over the garden, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child.

Superior Pool Side Rooms are located in the southern block of the hotel with easy access to the swimming pool, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 1 child.

Junior Suites have a separate sitting area and patio with garden and/or partial pool views, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

  • Booking Bonus: Book by 11 Feb '25 and save up to 30%. Valid for travel before 05 Jan '26. Terms and conditions apply.

The Boardwalk Restaurant (local and International dishes for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner). Bar (open 10am-11pm daily).

Live entertainment 3 nights per week. Weekly manager’s rum punch party.

Small swimming pool. Mini-gym/fitness centre. Free scuba-diving demo in pool (on request). Lounge with TV and board games.

Babysitting* (on request). Laundry/dry-cleaning service*. Complimentary WiFi access.

A Tourism Fee will be charged per bedroom, per night and will be collected at check out. The rate is subject to change by the Government, and varies by hotel room. Fees currently range from 8.75 Barbadian dollar (approximately £3.90) to 35 Barbadian dollar​ (approximately £16.00) per bedroom, per night. 

Good general access for guests who are able to walk short distances and can manage up to six steps. For more information and contact details please check out our Special Assistance page

1 night between 1 Apr-22 Dec. 

5 nights between 6 Jan-31 Mar. 

7 nights between 23 Dec-5 Jan. 

* Denotes local charge.

Dress code: at the Boardwalk Restaurant (year-round) the evening dress code is smart casual which means that gentlemen may wear smart dress shorts and short sleeved shirts (polo shirts are allowed). Please note that no sports replica shirts or club branded merchandise are allowed at dinner.  Smart jeans are allowed. No flip flops or trainers are allowed in the evening in the restaurant.

Cover-ups are required in the restaurant for breakfast and lunch and footwear is required in the restaurant at all times.

Please note: although the dress code has been relaxed at this hotel, there may still be some occasions at the hotel and on the island where long trousers and shirt sleeves will be more appropriate or compulsory for gentlemen, so it is highly recommended to still pack some.

Please note: child ages up to and including 12 years.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (524)
  • Very good (244)
  • Average (89)
  • Poor (27)
  • Terrible (21)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Convenient but the all inclusive element is a total waste of money

Feb 2, 2025 Andrea C Bath, United Kingdom

The superior garden room was comfortable and spotless. We had planned a day by the pool but it is small and the terrace very crowded so went to Pebbles beach. Here we hired loungers. The food was very poor as was the quality of the wine. But the location is handy for the Garrison and Bridgetown. We have paid the same amount to stay at an exquisite… Read more
The superior garden room was comfortable and spotless. We had planned a day by the pool but it is small and the terrace very crowded so went to Pebbles beach. Here we hired loungers. The food was very poor as was the quality of the wine. But the location is handy for the Garrison and Bridgetown. We have paid the same amount to stay at an exquisite boutique hotel in Bequia. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fourth year visit

Feb 1, 2025 kathleen w new york, ny

This was our 4th year at the Island Inn, so we obviously love it. That staff is all terrific, friendly and helpful. Other guests are very social. We enjoy interesting conversations with everyone-a diverse, well travelled group. Do visit the 2 sister resorts. Both directly on the water and larger - better pools, too. The plated meals were… Read more
This was our 4th year at the Island Inn, so we obviously love it. That staff is all terrific, friendly and helpful. Other guests are very social. We enjoy interesting conversations with everyone-a diverse, well travelled group. Do visit the 2 sister resorts. Both directly on the water and larger - better pools, too. The plated meals were great. There are a few choices and they will cook you something else if you want. Except for the bbq, the buffets were pretty mediocre. I wouldn’t mind seeing less of them when we return next year. Bar service was terrific, friendly and efficient. Rooms could use a little upgrading but guests are certainly not paying 5* prices. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating It could be so easy to fix

Jan 23, 2025 LittlePuffsMallorca Palma de Mallorca, Spain

The hotel is in a brilliant location, just a minute or 2 from beach. The hotel itself is old and outdated, but ironically ands to the charm, I feel however the bedrooms near a massive overhaul. The Food leaves a lot to be desired everything being cooked to death or cold. The bar is in tune with rest of hotel small and quirky,with barman Terry… Read more
The hotel is in a brilliant location, just a minute or 2 from beach. The hotel itself is old and outdated, but ironically ands to the charm, I feel however the bedrooms near a massive overhaul. The Food leaves a lot to be desired everything being cooked to death or cold. The bar is in tune with rest of hotel small and quirky,with barman Terry producing some truly amazing cocktails(a credit to his profession) The waiter staff were hit and miss except the the young lad and Elsie who was full of life Would we return unfortunately not as we had several problems that were not really resolved, which slightly spoiled our enjoyment So all said and done the problems could be so easily solved if they wanted too!!!! It’s one of those marmite things you either love it or hate it Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Paradise

Jan 21, 2025 Mirandakate Rugby, United Kingdom

Arrived first time for us in Jan 2025 in readiness for my special birthday and warmly welcomed by Carole and looked after throughout. Elsie was awesome and looked after us with her brilliant dry humour and dancing down the restaurant. Her team, Doris, Marlene , Sharon etc were just so welcoming and as I am the worst fussy eater was totally… Read more
Arrived first time for us in Jan 2025 in readiness for my special birthday and warmly welcomed by Carole and looked after throughout. Elsie was awesome and looked after us with her brilliant dry humour and dancing down the restaurant. Her team, Doris, Marlene , Sharon etc were just so welcoming and as I am the worst fussy eater was totally surprised by the amazing food! Hot, fresh , plentiful and just so tasty! I am fatter now! Terry, again totally awesome looking after us at the bar. Thora, the Manager dancing with us when the DJ was playing one night! It's a small hotel so it was wonderful to make friends with other guests. Pebble Beach 2 mins away so can easily see the horses each morning which was wonderful. Carlyle Bay 5 mins away and Bridgetown an easy walk. Washingon House just a 5 min walk. Felt super safe everwhere and from taxi drivers to shop assistants so friendly. Just everywhere incredibly warm and welcoming. Carole can book taxis for you etc. We booked the standard rooms which we found just perfect as could see monkeys outside in the morning. Equipped with tv, kettle, ironing board and iron, hairdryer and complimentary huge room mosquito spray. Huge bed with loads of pillows. Complimentary toiletries too. Just the best experience for us and we will definitely be back! Like my husband said, we are in Paradise, what is there not to like! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating EXCEPTIONAL STAY

Jan 16, 2025 Denise G Wakefield, United Kingdom

This was our first stay at Island Inn Hotel and certainly won't be our last, upon arrival we were greeted warmly by Sharon and offered a welcome drink which was much needed after a long day of travelling, we were quickly checked in and shown to our room. We loved that the hotel was small and quaint, the gardens were amazing with tropical palm… Read more
This was our first stay at Island Inn Hotel and certainly won't be our last, upon arrival we were greeted warmly by Sharon and offered a welcome drink which was much needed after a long day of travelling, we were quickly checked in and shown to our room. We loved that the hotel was small and quaint, the gardens were amazing with tropical palm trees and plants. The food was outstanding for an AI hotel - a mixture of A La Carte and buffet at both lunch and dinner. The drinks are top notch, the Pina Colada's were outstanding. We were there for 14 nights including New Years Eve or Old Years Night in BIM - an incredible buffet was served with beef fillet, lobster tail, accompaniments and a fresh fruit chocolate fountain - fantastic. The evening was enjoyed by all the guests along with a DJ - amazing evening ! The hotel was exceptionally clean and tidy, the beds very large and comfortable. We enjoyed visits to Mango Bay and The Sands Hotels, both sister hotels to Island Inn but would still prefer to stay at Island Inn due to the homeliness and smallness in size, it is very individual. All of the staff members were so professional, polite and friendly, it was lovely to meet the owner of the hotel on New Years Eve who personally took the time to visit all of the group hotels and mingle with the guests - a lovely touch ! A big thank you to Sharon for your kindness shown to us throughout our stay and last day. All of the guests were very friendly to each other and we made some lovely friendships throughout our stay. The only niggle was being woken very early on a couple of occasions by the leaf blowing machine, probably best doing after 9am. We're missing the tree frog chorus of a night and the green monkeys, until next time thank you for your hospitality and see you again in the future. Denise & Justin x. Read less