Just Back From: Harbour Island
This interview comes as an update to our original piece on Harbour Island from last April. The same interviewee returned to the Ocean View Club with a larger party this January, and we discussed their room selection as well as the two new restaurants they visited.
On arrival:
For this trip, we flew from JFK to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to Eleuthera, though I would highly recommend flying from JFK to Miami and then on to Eleuthera instead. I wasn’t fond of the Atlanta airport at all.
We spent the first few nights at the Other Side, the Ocean View Club’s sister property on Eleuthera. A boat picked us up from the dock at the Other Side and brought us, along with our luggage, over to Harbour Island. Ahead of time, the concierge mentioned that a golf cart would be waiting for us in the parking lot of the port to take us to the hotel. We spent about fifteen minutes searching for it, and when we finally found it, it only had room for two people and the luggage. Since we were a party of four, two of us walked roughly a mile to the hotel. It was extremely frustrating, so I recommend getting very clear, specific details from both the Ocean View Club concierge and the Other Side concierge.
On the rooms:
Two of us were in the Marley Cottage, which was a gorgeous, beach-chic room. As one of two tent cottages located just below the main hotel structure, it featured charming green accents, a stunning poster bed, his-and-hers sinks, and a lovely balcony with a view of the ocean. Decor-wise, it felt very eclectic, using hand-picked pieces that gave it an authentic feel. Plus, it was just steps away from the beach.
The other pair stayed in the ‘Kitchen,’ a small, one-room structure that resembled a quaint little house with a porch and shutters. While it had charm, it didn’t impress me as much as the room where I stayed in April or the Marley Cottage. Decor-wise, it had a quaint, rustic-chic feel rather than the vivacious, authentic feel of the other rooms. The bathroom felt cramped, and the closet and desk space were tight, too. On the plus side, it did come with a small terrace featuring two lounge chairs that overlooked the ocean, and it was just a few feet from the sand.
On Da Vine:
One night, we went to Da Vine Sushi for dinner, located just a five-minute golf cart ride from the hotel. The space was cool but small, with tables packed close together and striking wall art. It had a great selection of wine, and the sushi was phenomenal—we really loved it. Even the cucumber salad, served in a martini glass, was a hit. The vibe is definitely more upscale than jeans and flip-flops, but it’s by no means fancy, making it the perfect casual yet refined spot for a great meal.
On The Rock House:
The Rock House was another new restaurant we tried in Harbour Island, and it was a real gem. Located within a charming little hotel, the restaurant had a stunning view of the bay, perfect for watching the sunset. Since we were visiting in January, sunset was fairly early, so we had an early dinner and caught the tail end. It was beautiful, the waitstaff was kind and friendly, and the food was decent. If you don’t make it for dinner, I’d definitely recommend stopping by for a drink around sunset—it’s a perfect setting to relax and enjoy the scenery.
On the weather:
When we visited in April, it was sunny and warm every single day, but during our January trip, the weather was a bit chillier—ranging from the sixties to the seventies. A few staff members mentioned it was the coldest January they’d had in decades. I found myself needing a jacket for dinner and wishing I’d packed more sweatpants and sweatshirts. The temperature is definitely something to keep in mind if you're visiting during the winter months. Next time, I’d definitely prefer to return in April rather than January.
