The Islander's Inn.
Clifton, Union Island.
A stay on Union Island takes you back to a gentler age; a time when there were few cars, not much tarmac and everyone greets you with a smile. Two of those smiling faces belong to Clyde and Sandra, hosts of The Islander’s Inn on the beautiful north coast of the island. The hotel sits right on the water’s edge, with sea views extending out over the coral reefs all the way to Mayreau and the Tobago Cays.
Whichever room you choose you will be able to fully relax on your own private balcony or garden terrace, with beautiful views of the sea and neighbouring islands. All rooms are tastefully decorated, clean and airy, with fans and en-suite bathrooms with rain showers. Air conditioning is available in just some rooms.
The terrace and verandah of the restaurant and bar blend seamlessly onto the beach, surrounded by palm trees and tropical verdure. There is also an indoor dining room for guests who prefer it that way. The restaurant specialises in Caribbean cuisine prepared from local produce, including fresh fruit from the hotel’s own garden (when available) and seafood from the waters around the island. Each evening is sundowner time, and what could be better than relaxing on the terrace sipping a cocktail in the warm evening breeze?
A tour of Union Island might take you a day on foot or just a couple of hours by car with some scenic stops on the way. Clifton harbour is unbelievably beautiful, and Clifton is also the place for shops and restaurants (barely a mile from The Islander’s Inn). Further along the coast is Ashton fronted by a coral reef and a marina-that-never-was. On the other side of the island is Chatham Bay, with a long sandy beach backed by hills and tropical forest. That’s it; that’s Union Island, yet you could spend a lifetime strolling around the shore and beaches, diving fishing and snorkelling on the reefs. And if you do run out of ideas, it’s easy to take a boat trip to other islands; Petit St Vincent, Mayreau, Carriacou or the microscopic Mopion.
You can’t just jump on a 747 and fly off to Union Island, and it’s all the better for that! The journey is most definitely a part of the holiday. The biggest aircraft to land at Union Island have just 16 seats and the arrival down to the runway is spectacular. Flights go from St Vincent and Barbados, or you could also choose to take the ferry from St Vincent, which will stop off at all the other islands on the way.