This was my second time of staying at Willowbank. Why do I keep coming back? For many reasons. The price includes breakfast , tea (afternoon snack @ 4:00), dinner, and your room. This year I stayed in a deluxe waterview room-beautifully renovated with my own deck to sit and enjoy looking at the ocean. Willowbank also has two small beaches. One is by the harbor while the other faces the ocean. Feeding the fish off the dock was another enjoyable activity. Employees are very kind and helpful. My favorite part of the Willowbank experience is the peaceful atmosphere.

Best place on earth. Okay here is the scoop. This place is gorgeous. It is tired, but is currently undergoing a massive reno which is scheduled to be completed by the summer. All of the rooms are gradually being updated, and as of March, many are completed. It is very family friendly, staff are amazing, kids can run around the property in complete safety. The beaches are beautiful. The management is incredibly accessible and sociable. As for comments about mold...that must have been an old room because in all of my 10-15 visits over the last 15 years, I have never seen any. If you are looking for nightlife, Willowbank is not for you. It is perfect for older people, people with young families, singles, or couples that just want quiet. There are no TVs in the rooms which I feel makes the experience much more peaceful. My most profound memories of Willowbank include the sound of the palms swishing against each other, with the waves coming the shore in the background.
I will update you again after my trip in June.

Recently stayed at Willowbank.

First, the good things. Wonderful ocean beach was perfect for kids - gentle, shallow water, cool rock formations, good off beach snorkeling. I can't think of a better beach for kids than this anywhere else we've been. Grounds are nice and kids were able come and go around the property without concern. Breakfast, Tea w/ snacks and Dinner are all included in room rate. Food was ok, not bad but not gourmet. Staff are all very friendly, although not always terribly helpful, they at least tried. Christian atmosphere is nice for community feeling. Apart from pre meal blessing you may choose not to partake of any group activities - your choice.

Now, the things to be aware of. The property is old and tired. Our 1st room had such a mold problem we asked to be moved to a different room. Cleaned the ac filter myself to remove thick cake of ick off the filter - not sure they'd been cleaned in 20yrs. Many guests complained of mold problems. They are in the middle of a top to bottom renovation, stripping the rooms back to bare walls, installing new doors, windows, fixtures, floors, furniture, etc. We peeked into one of the newly renovated rooms and it was just beautiful. They have tile floors (instead of carpet) which should greatly reduce future mold problems.

The location is very far from the airport (~50min taxi) and from Hamilton (15min bus + 20min ferry), and far from just about everything else on the island except the Dockyard area. We didn't terribly mind not leaving the property except for a few bus rides, but if you want to be closer to restaurants, shops, etc you will do better elsewhere.

Front desk staff is only on duty 9am-6pm, so if you need assistance after hours you are out of luck. Security guard is on duty for keys, etc.

After the renovation this property will definitely be nice. If you wish to be waited on by top notch hospitality service, this place isn't for you. If you want a quiet place with beautiful oceanfront setting, then insist on a newly renovated room or don't go.

You also need to be persistent and very, very clear on your desires (and check for understanding) when dealing with office/reservation staff. Communication was not as crisp as you would expect from at a higher end property.

My husband and I visited Willowbank 21 years ago and had a lovely vacation. We ventured to re-visit during our stay on the island last weekend to celebrate our 25th anniversary...We walked the entire property, and it appeared in total disrepair, and garbage is strewn on the lovely shoreline...it appeared that a renovation of some sort was going on, but we could not find anyone to ask. The furniture (outdoor and indoor) was showing grave signs of age, and we we very shocked...Thank goodness we had not been able to book (they were full) as we would have been extremely disappointed. Perhaps in another year or so????