Westman Islands Inn

We booked two of these “apartments” because we wanted to cook rather than have to go out to eat every night while in Heimay and at least our fourth floor unit was advertised that way online. Although the units clearly had a stove at one time (there was still a hood in one), the stoves and any other heating appliances had been removed. The live-in hostess was kind enough to give us her personal hot plate so we didn’t have to trash the food we brought from the mainland but that is probably not going to happen routinely. The location is great and the views from the fourth floor apartment we had were superb. Although quite pricey, be prepared for rustic. The kitchenettes have a nice fridge, but a hodgepodge of minimal stuff from an earlier time, e.g., one unit had a bread knife, some pans, and two spoons. The other had only a couple forks. There is no way to heat food (no micro or hot plate). There was a small table and three chairs in each unit we had. The last set of stairs to the fourth floor unit were steep and unfinished. There is no elevator for any floor. The fourth floor unit had two sets of beds and was laid out in such a way that there was some privacy between them. We also had serious trouble with payment. They ran the credit card the day we arrived remotely and their processser kept rejecting because of security since we were no longer in the United States and there was no way to get around it. (We tried three cards - I think everything but Visa with no luck.) This was very stressful for us. The proprietor told us to pay in cash and gave us the option of leaving in the room or giving to the caretaker. I suspected from the correspondence that this issue must happen with some regularity with their processor. We chose the later which may be the only reason we got to meet the kind hostess and get her help. I noticed extra beds and a pack and play stored in the hall so they do have those items. Our unit was advertised as having a private balcony but the door was in the hall outside our fourth floor and locked (for good reason - it looped around in front of the other unit on the floor). So don’t expect any balconies even if advertised. I do recommend this despite the issues because the rooms were clean, big, and well-situated, the internet worked, and I loved the views. But this was definitely a stressful choice for us given the mid-advertised features and other issues. I am writing to spare others the surprise element.

We had a great time. The hotel stuff handed us a baby puffin to release. We had a great experience. We will remember it forever.