Seastar Inn

The Seastar Inn doesn’t have a true lobby -- instead, guests pass through the gate and can head right over to the covered reception desk, which includes information on transportation and local activities. The gift shop is right next door, along with the open restaurant dining area and bar. Gardens are everywhere, helping to give the hotel some privacy, and the pool along with a small waterfall are visible around the corner.

Up into the hills, guests drive down a long driveway off of West End Road to eventually find the hotel tucked into gardens and trees. Though it can feel like a hike to get to the beach, the free shuttle offers easy transportation, and West End Road itself has a wide variety of restaurants, bars, shops, and other attractions. The surrounding area can be loud, depending on where in the hotel you are, but doesn’t feel unsafe.

The rooms at Seastar Inn can vary widely, depending on what type is booked. Standard rooms on the older side of the hotel are basic and feel a bit shabby, with a mini-fridge and air-conditioning but not much else. But the larger rooms and the newer suites by the pool are spacious, colorful, and clean; some rooms have full kitchens, sitting areas, and multiple bedrooms. Every room has a private patio or balcony, with both a table and chairs as well as a hammock.

The hotel's double-height restaurant is casual and open-air, and the bar has a window opening to the pool, allowing for both restaurant and swim-up access. The outdoor pool is simple but adequate, and has a large adjacent whirlpool. There's also a recreation area with pool tables and poker, and surprisingly for a budget property, spa services are available.

A weekly reggae party attracts locals and guests from all over the area, and nightly happy hour and karaoke nights offer other entertainment options. The hotel also offers free continental breakfast as well as free daily shuttles to the beach, and tours and other activities are easy to set up at the front desk.