Three Names, 75 Years and
Thousands of Adventures!
Abaco Inn turns 75!
by AbacoBuzz.com
The iconic Abaco Inn has been part of Elbow Cay in one way or another for about 75 years. Long before The Bahamas became a global destination, when the Out Islands were still a well-kept secret whispered among sailors and adventurers, The Abaco Inn welcomed guests with open arms and open skies. Hidden on the peaceful stretch of Elbow Cay, this charming boutique inn has carried the spirit of hospitality for decades.
Although the exact date of its opening to paying guests is not certain, The White Sound Club what has become the Abaco Inn was built as a fishing retreat by Herman Arens, some time in the 1950’s. The island held only a smattering of homes then. Arens started with a generator and a shed, and built his island getaway on a crown grant. After many years, the property passed into the hands of card-playing acquaintances of Mr. Arens, who didn’t see any reason to upgrade the facilities and continued playing poker there and occasionally using it as a base to do some fishing.
In 1964, Charles Kerlee, bought the property. A New Yorker who wintered on Elbow Cay, Kerlee installed a swimming pool and started refitting the fishing shack to host guests. He built a proper fireplace, teak floors and lounging furniture and renamed the place the Fin and Tonic resort. Word got around that famous guests like Burl Ives stayed at the Fin and Tonic from time to time and, over a little more than a decade, the Fin and Tonic accrued a steady clientele.
The Inn’s next step came thirteen years later, when Ruth Maury and Jerry Whiteleather bought the place and changed the name to Abaco Inn. In this rendition, the Inn went upscale, with Ruth flying in gourmet food from overseas and focusing on the hospitality part of the business. Jerry toted people around the island to different outings in his station wagon. The Inn boasted the island’s first telephone and became legendary for its food.
Town & Country Magazine included the Abaco Inn on a story about the Abacos. American TV news anchorwoman Barbara Walters chose the Inn to stay during her visit. lot of celebrities and musicians continue to frequent The Abaco Inn for its quaintness and the privacy it offers. This was, in many ways, the first successful attempt at modern tourism on Elbow Cay.
Ruth and Jerry worked with local captains to organize fishing excursions or sailing trips, adding amenities to the lodging. But this was also the beginning of the Abaco Inn’s centrality on the island & the Abacos – residents of Bakers Bay, Green Turtle Cay, Marsh Harbour etc. frequent The Abaco Inn in their boats for lunches and dinners. The Abaco Inn, part of the Enthusiast Hotel Collection, is a place to gather for family events, weddings, fundraisers, holidays meals, boat & yachts rendezvous and art openings – a dining establishment and a pub – one that just happened to have stunning views of both the Sea of Abaco and the Atlantic Ocean, depending which window you looked out.. Tom Hazel kept that version of the Abaco Inn running for years.
Today, the nostalgic Abaco Inn continues to be a testament to the enduring spirit of Elbow Cay, offering guests a blend of historical charm and warm accommodations amidst the natural serenity of The Bahamas. Sunset Point at The Abaco Inn continues to be the most modern, upscale Bahamian accommodation in the Abacos and has been extremely popular with the guests. Each villa comes with its own private dock, making it a favorite choice among boaters.
The Abaco Inn remains the beating heart of the Abacos and The Bahamas community. While the world has changed, the spirit of the Abaco Inn has not. It continues to remain a cool barefoot sanctuary for simplicity Our guests return year after year – not for the trends, but for the timelessness. www.abacoinn.com