I'm planning a trip to the Abacos for April/May timeframe. I've stayed at Lubber's Quarters but I'm looking to stay somewhere different this time. I'm interested in Hope Town and I'm looking at 3 places. Hope Town Harbour Lodge, Abaco Inn, and Sea Spray Resort. Any advice on which is the better choice? I've also looked into Parrot Cay which has 2 cottages for rental. Any help would be appreciated!

I think it depends... if you have stayed on Lubber's then you probably rented a boat for that entire stay and were comfortable with that? Are you travelling with children and what age are they?
When you were on Lubber's I guess you saw all 3 of these places on Elbow so you have some idea where they are and a little about them? The beach is nice at HHL so there are things very appealing about that and the nice pool and poolside bar, etc. It has been a few years since the last time I was there but the food was always good in the restaurant when I visited. The real advantage here is being in the settlement and walking distance to other restaurants, the grocery and bakery, etc. You can rent a bike to explore and don't really need a cart rental; however, it might be the least desirable place to keep a rental boat unless they have a designated area along the side of the dock for their guests- not sure- since the ferry comes into that dock as well.
Abaco Inn has great views of both the Atlantic and the Sea of Abaco from their bar area and keeping a boat is easy there. The beach is rocky in places and the surf is usually much rougher in that area so you would not really be doing much swimming or snorkeling from the beach like you might at HHL.
Sea Spray has a nice marina and fuel tanks and marine store which make it convenient. The pool and bar area are nice but overlook the marina rather than the ocean of Sea of Abaco. The food has been good when I have been there and sometimes they have an outdoor BBQ/buffet - perhaps with entertainment. I like the fact that they have units that have a little space from each other and face different ways. If you were going to get a larger one with a full kitchen and if you are renting a boat then it might be my first choice but like I said, it depends on several factors.
I have been to Parrot only to rent a boat if that is where Island Marine is located. There is a nice article in the latest Abaco Life magazine about a young couple's recent honeymoon there. I think I would not be as interested in it for the same reason I would not rent at Lubber's again- if the weather is bad and boating is out then you are kind of "stuck" where as on Elbow you could at least walk, bike or cart out to eat, shop, etc.
Sorry so long-

38 days to go and then we are off to Hopetown.

We found the food at Abaco Inn to be the best in Abaco but the position not to be the best. We found HTHI to have a great location but the food to be average and VERY over-priced for what it was.

I think in future we would always stay on Elbow. We stayed at Watercolours cottage in the past and the owner, Mark, is the best host in the world. However, you are literally tied to your boat and have to get back to your cottage by sunset. We ended up rushing meals to get back before dark.

ps Hi ishkribbl - do you have a countdown?

Hello and thank you for the information. When we stayed at Lubber's we had a boat the entire time and that was great. That's one of the main reasons we stayed there was to see the area, snorkel and fish. We mostly cooked at our cottage instead of eating out. No, we don't have kids. We went to Sea Spray to eat dinner one night but we didn't explore Hope Town so I didn't get to see the 3 places I mentioned. I was reading reviews on Abaco Inn and they weren't positive. People said it was run down and staff wasn't great.
Thankx again for the information.

markrosy - you're leaving for the Abaco's in 38 days? Where are you staying?

markrosy- unfortunately my countdown right now is for another destination on my "bucket list"- we are going in 13 weeks (still a ways to go, darn it) to Anegada and Virgin Gorda in the BVI's. I have always wanted to see Anegada. I am always keeping up with the Abacos- one of the best things I ever did was to subscribe to Abaco Life about 15 years ago and I love reading all the issues (quarterly)- I have tentatively been planning a trip to Guana or maybe GTC (my husband has not been to GTC as I went there before we knew each other)but I have pinpointed some great places down in the southern part of Great Abaco and even in Little Harbour- so many choices, so little travel time!! Where are you staying this time? I am envious!!
For Abacos bound- I have stayed at Abaco Inn for a week but it was quite a while back so I cannot give you current info on the rooms- have eaten there since that time- and HHL (did not have a boat that time because it was a quick "girlfriend trip" to scout out rental houses for a group trip) but we have mainly rented houses when we travel. I think part of the appeal to me about SeaSpray if we return is having the kitchen so you have a choice about whether to eat out or cook in some nights. If I can have some of that fabulous homemade Bahamian bread for toast and some coffee on a porch with a view I would rather not eat out every meal.
I still think I would go for SeaSpray or HHL if I were going to stay in a hotel right now but I think HHL does not have kitchens unless you rent the house on the property. There are a ton of great houses on Elbow if you decide you want to go that route- I think it works out a good bit cheaper than the resorts and you have more space and more privacy.
Have a wonderful time!!

Hi - if British Airways play ball we are staying at Sea to Sea on the North End of Elbow.

We usually do a lot of research and have only ever been caught out once in 200 plus trips. This was actually on Lubbers by the local scoundrels.

We are a little annoyed that most of the houses on the North End are tied up with Elbow Cay Properties and for some insane reason they do not seem to allow children under 12 into the properties on the beach.

Sea to sea is close to the beach and has a private dock. For $1600 a week and two bedrooms with a 10 minute walk to Hopetown - it appears to be pretty good value for money.

Interesting choice regarding the BVIs. We have a yacht at home and considered chartering in the BVIs. However, it is very unfair to keep a 4 year old onboard for two weeks - they just do not appreciate being cooped up for that amount of time. Put a pirate flag on a 18 foot Albury and zip about the cays - then boating becomes a different proposition, many Treasure Islands and many sharks to be feed to!

Have fun and hope the Key Lime Pie matches that in Hopetown.

I make a hell of a pie myself (we can get the real key limes here sometimes) but no one can match Vernon's!
I will have to take a look at the website for that house. Actually, there is an older property (looks like a true Bahamas house) that has caught my attention- on the beach near HHL- called "Hope Chest" - if you are in the neighborhood any time during your upcoming visit, would you go by and take a look (exterior and area) if you get a chance? I would love some firsthand feedback. We are into simple, casual, laid back, quiet and beautiful surroundings- don't need frills or even all the modern touches.
Perhaps when you son (I think?) is a few years older, the BVI's would be a fun trip for him as well. I think the beauty of that area is that there are so many opportunities for very short sails/cruises and many off boat day adventures all within a small territory- I have been reading Traveltalkonline for the BVI's regularly for tips to plan for this trip and read what boaters tell each other about trips with kids and it sounds very doable and like fun- mine is grown so it is not a factor for us but it is fun to read trip reports. We will be land based on this trip and use the ferries to move from St. Thomas to Tortola to Anegada to Virgin Gorda and back to St. Thomas to the airport in a span of 9 days/8 nights. You can rent small boats in the North Sound so we will probably do that a day or two when we get boating fever.
Hope the Abacos are wonderful - I love them- and that you and your family have a fabulous time!!

PS markrosy- the other one that speaks to me is called Hatchet House but it has no AC at all so I am not so sure about that - if you see it, let me know!

Here's Sea to Sea

http://www.elbowcayrentals.com/scrip...?file=seatosea

We liked the westerly view - should get good sunsets. I will certainly have a look at the the houses you mention and report back.

Thanks for the thoughts

Definitely great sunsets from that side- the house we rented on Lubber's (Sandy Bottom) faced west as did Twin Dolphins on Elbow where we have rented and also the Abaco Inn. The house looks great- I biked and walked up in the area north of the settlement but have never stayed there- it seemed peaceful. Have a wonderful trip!