5 Star Review By Jamie Phelps
An Unforgettable Stay at Asa Wright Nature Centre with Hadco Experiences Our stay at the Asa Wright Nature Centre, hosted by Hadco Experiences, was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by beauty—lush greenery, the songs of countless bird species, and the warmth of some of the kindest, most welcoming staff I’ve ever encountered. Pam and Natasha in the restaurant set the tone for excellence in service and hospitality. Every meal was over-abundant, perfectly prepared, and bursting with flavor. The goat dish was unforgettable, the fish consistently fantastic, and the homemade pepper sauce was exactly the spicy delight my husband craves. Special shoutout to the mocha cheesecake and Belgian chocolate ice cream—truly indulgent and not to be missed! Our birding experience was elevated by the outstanding guides: Rondel, Caleb, Guiselle, Annandra, and Mukesh. Their passion, knowledge, and patience made every outing memorable, and they were always available on the porch for questions or spontaneous sightings. Speaking of which, a heartfelt thank-you to Richard from security—he literally tracked us down to help us spot a Trogon. That level of care is something you don’t forget. And John—he’s the kind of person who feels like an old friend within minutes. Warm, friendly, endlessly helpful—saying goodbye to him was tough. Finbar, the bartender, kept the atmosphere light and joyful with his easygoing nature and generous spirit. Honestly, he felt like part of the family. And Warren, the general manager, clearly leads by example. The staff culture is one of warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine care. Every single person went out of their way to make us feel at home. The Barred Antshrike Room (#7) was perfectly situated near the main building with minimal steps (note: a little uneven, so just watch your footing). The room was clean and comfortable, with top-notch linens, including large, cozy bath sheets. A few small suggestions: labeling the light switches and adding a shelf in the shower would add convenience, but these are truly minor “first-world problems.” Also, be aware that the walls are VERY thin. The property itself is beyond words—restored to its former glory, with beautiful West Indian architecture and furnishings. The ambiance is serene and immersive. I cannot stress enough how safe and well-maintained everything felt. The staff's diligence in cleaning and replenishing bird food daily was impressive and appreciated. Hadco Experiences made our trip seamless from beginning to end. They handled all the planning, the dozens of safety questions, the changes, and made everything worry-free. Their professionalism and attention to detail meant I never once had to play “travel agent”—I could just relax and enjoy. A note for future guests: • Avoid holidays like Mother’s Day if you’re focused on birding. On that day, a large crowd of non-birding guests and loud children unfortunately disrupted the peaceful atmosphere. The viewing deck even had people watching sports on their phones—something that truly detracted from the unique magic of this place. Still, these were isolated moments in what was otherwise an exceptional experience. The birding, the food, the people, and the peaceful surroundings far exceeded our expectations. It was truly painful to leave, and we’re already dreaming of our return. My one lingering concern is the future of Asa Wright once Hadco’s lease ends. Their stewardship has been transformative, and I only hope whoever follows maintains the same level of care, vision, and respect for this incredible place. A recommendation would be to develop a downloadable trail map that isn’t governed by a third party app. This and a bird list would be great to have to quickly download directly from the Hadco website. We didn’t just visit a nature centre—we found a home away from home. And we will absolutely be back.