Our Harbour Island Home
📍 The Secret, Harbour Island
Before you get too excited… Sadly, no, we didn’t buy a home on Harbour Island. However, it’s something that both David and I are currently daydreaming about! Instead, I wanted to give you a full look at our Briland home for the week. The Secret was the perfect option for us and an absolute gem. Now that I know, it will be my number one recommendation for friends and family visiting Harbour Island. That is especially true if you’re looking for more budget-friendly travel. So, let me tell you the secret about The Secret!
Why I Chose The Secret
I’m no stranger to booking on Airbnb. It’s how we opted to book our Italian honeymoon. Whenever I travel somewhere new, I always compare the nearby hotels with local listings. More often than not, Airbnb is going to be the cost-effective option. That was most certainly the case on Harbour Island. Since we wanted to stay for an entire week, staying at a resort for the entire stay wasn’t our best option. Besides, the island is so small and welcoming I could explore the best parts of the hotels at my leisure. While there were a few different Airbnb options at a similar price point, I ultimately chose The Secret because of how much space it offered us. Both working remotely during our trip, this was critical. The crisp decor and shady outdoor space were both huge bonuses that I absolutely loved!
The Location
Don’t expect a full address on Harbour Island. I don’t think any of the building of the buildings were numbered. Instead, locals typically know the homes by name. The Secret is on the north side of town. I noticed that is where many locals live and we were constantly greeting them on their commute. Because of the size, you’re truly no more than a 20-minute walk from anything, including only 5 minutes away from the pink sand beaches. We’re walkers and had no problem with that. If you’re traveling with little ones or simply want to get somewhere a little quicker, I recommend renting a golf cart. It’s the most utilized mode of transportation. We rented from Conch and Coconut. They delivered the cart right to us and the customer service was incredible!
The Amenities
Although we ended up never using it, we were most excited about the full kitchen. There was every intention of cooking meals in, but the lure of new restaurants to explore was too great. Still, it was nice to know that we had somewhere to store leftovers and keep drinks cool. Our bedroom featured an extremely comfortable king-size bed that I looked forward to getting into each night. If you’re planning on having a beach day, load up the golf cart with the provided beach chairs, towels, and umbrella. The Secret had all of the comforts of home that you would need on Harbour Island. As far as provisions, a local grocery store is just a few doors down the road.
Why You’ll Love It
While the resorts on Harbour Island are equally luxurious, sometimes you’re just looking for a place to lay your head and don’t need the frills. You’ll love The Secret because it looks as stylish as a private hotel cottage without the steep price tag. Sometimes I think there’s a misconception that Harbour Island has to be an incredibly expensive vacation. Its proximity to the beaches and local shops is enough to have me want to book again.
Until we have our own on Harbour Island (hopefully someday), The Secret is the next best thing. No memory of our trip here would be complete without it. I recommend it to any family member, friend, or reader who is thinking of staying there. If you have any specific questions, be sure to let me know!
Love from Harbour Island,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.