National

Ivel’s Bed and Breakfast: A Home Away From Home

ACKLINS, BAHAMAS – Meet Velma Gibson-Ferguson, a proud Acklins islander and the proprietor of Ivel’s Bed & Breakfast.

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2024

Kendeno Knowles

ACKLINS, BAHAMAS – Meet Velma Gibson-Ferguson, a proud Acklins islander and the proprietor of Ivel’s Bed & Breakfast, the property boasts a stellar five-star rating on TripAdvisor.

Velma shares the story of Ivel’s humble beginnings, which began with renting out a few rooms. However, after a visit from the late former governor general in 2006, the establishment’s success skyrocketed.

And that they did Velma and her late husband expanded their business, naming each room after their seven children.

Guest reviews speak volumes, describing Ivel’s as a hidden gem and from a time not so long ago, one visitor wrote, “a perfect COVID hideaway.”

With its warm hospitality and communal meal settings fostering connections among guests, it’s no wonder visitors eagerly anticipate returning.

We’ve enjoyed many meals in the kitchen at Ivel’s with Velma’s son Donald who helps manage the space and at nighttime.

Acklins’ nocturnal wildlife have come out to greet us like this hermit crab that joined the welcome party and gave this hail to our digital content manager Rikki Barry who joined us on the trip.

Our Acklins adventure presses forward with a day of fly fishing, a true test of patience and a nod to my New Year’s Resolution of 2023.