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Style: Old world charm pervades this sprawling beachfront estate. It bears the weathered hallmarks of Oliver Messel who transformed it from a simple beach house in the 1960s. Crystal Springs is one of the most sought after Barbados villas for family get-togethers, celebrations and special occasions such as weddings or renewal of vows
The Beach: Secluded sandy cove below which can only be accessed from Crystal Springs or by boat
The Rooms: 8 bedrooms with 7 en suite and 1 bedroom with a bathroom next door
Key features: One of the largest villas available for Barbados rentals, own sandy cove, swimming pool (22ft x 45ft), Sunfish Sail boat, use of 18ft speedboat, home theatre, cable & satellite TV, DVD & VCR, stereo system with CD/tape/radio, fax machine, ADSL internet access, WiFi and mini gym. 30ft Boston Whaler available for hire.
Children: By special arrangement and with a nanny only
Staff: Butler (2), cook, assistant cook, maid (4), maid/laundress, laundress, boatman, gardener (2) and night watchman – for entire property and reduced for smaller parties |
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Description
Originally built in the 1940s as a simple beach house, Crystal Springs was redesigned by Oliver Messel in the 1960s, who turned it into a magical retreat amongst almost 2 acres of landscaped, verdant gardens. It has a near-private beachfront setting on Barbados’s fashionable West Coast, standing among the exclusive environs of the Garden on the West Coast of St James. Here large estates and villas stand side by side local ‘chattel houses’ and other residences. A gated entrance gives way to park-like setting of lawns and mature trees and the weathered coral stone walls of Crystal Springs feel as though they have been there for centuries rather than decades. The villa has a lived in, comfortable air.
The almost botanical garden like setting of Crystal Springs is very much part of the villa’s charm and design and it gives a sense of living amongst nature, for Messel’s trademark was to bring together both house and garden, using nature as his theatrical backdrop.
The living room is testament to Messel’s designs, as well as being spacious, it gives way to a large picture window where you can sit and look down to the beach through the tropical greenery. A collection of colourful Haitian oil paintings, plus a couple of interesting touches such as two large monkey planters, complete the picture. The room is very well furnished with a number of comfortable upholstered sofas and a TV corner.
The formal dining area, is a covered terrace whose ceiling has a hand painted mural by Ian Cairnie and is supported by pillars and arches that frame the surrounding gardens. Opposite an arched wall a fountain draws the eye into the jungle like setting. The lengthy glass-topped dining table is somewhat unusual, and features another of Oliver Messel’s trademarks, the monkey, with life size figures supporting the heavy glass top. The dining table can seat up to sixteen for those elaborate occasions. Just below the main house small terrace provides another shady spot to dine or enjoy a drink.
A bridge which spans the tropical gardens and gully below leads onto the furnished sea terrace of the Annex. This looks down to the beach and has pretty sea views partly hidden by overhanging trees. The far end of the terrace features a colourful mural, again by Ian Cairnie, which portrays Oliver Messel within scenes of Barbados. There is a comfortable built-in sofa and tucked in the corner another dining area with wet bar. A doorway leads out to a glorious sea view terrace which has been built onto the low cliff. It is a favourite spot for alfresco meals and at night spotlights in the water transform it into a wonderfully romantic dinner spot. Steps lead down to the small beach which is very private, being contained between low cliffs and therefore not accessible to the public. Steps lead from the terrace to a wonderful shady spot housing a large and inviting swimming pool, set within lawns and surrounded by mature mahogany trees.
Entertainment wise, Crystal Springs boasts its own mini theatre, which is located in the gardens behind the Tea House Cottage. This rather spacious and fully air-conditioned facility has ten comfortable high back, upholstered chairs to enjoy the large screen projection TV with cable, VCR and DVD, plus surround sound. The room features a wet bar with icemaker and fridge, and staff will even make popcorn to add to your movie going experience.
A small air-conditioned gym, located in the Pavilion has an exercise bike, multi workout machine and table tennis.
There are eight bedrooms in all at Crystal Springs, in several different locations. All rooms are air-conditioned and most have twin beds pushed together. Three of the eight are located in the main part of the house. The first of these is accessed to the left as you enter. It has white wicker furnishings, a view to the gardens and drive, and a separate marble bathroom with shower only. The other two (including the Master) are found upstairs through an arched doorway off the living room. The master bedroom has a four-poster bed and is decorated in rustic golden browns and neutral shades. It also has a dressing room, an en suite bathroom with tub/shower and views over the small gully and the annex next door.
There are two more bedrooms in this annex. They lead off the furnished terrace, and both have views over the gully and down to the sea. They have en suite bathrooms with tub/showers. In the Tea House Cottage, which is set among the lawns in the centre of the property, there is a one bedroom suite with a four poster bed. There is a dining and sitting area and a small terrace that overlooks a lily pond and the gully beyond. A little further back, close to the entrance to the property is the Pavilion, where there are two further bedrooms. |
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Beach & Swimming
Crystal Springs has a large inviting swimming pool set amidst trees making it very private and shady, it is approximately 22ft wide and 45ft long with depth of 4ft to 6ft.
A small natural cove below boasts a lovely secluded beach (only reached from the villa or by boat) and some excellent swimming within a large protected swimming area. |
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Sports & Recreation
Guests at Crystal Springs have use of the gym, table tennis and a Sunfish sail boat, plus there is an 18ft speedboat for waterskiing available on a complimentary basis (fuel extra) for all full rate villa bookings - the boat can also be used as a water taxi and Donuts, Mable, Kneeboard and wakeboard are also available. A 30ft Boston Whaler is available for deep sea fishing and cruising, at an additional cost. The nearest golf course is Royal Westmoreland about 15 minutes drive away, which has some tee times open to outsiders in the mid morning, otherwise there are two courses open to the public at Sandy Lane about 20 minutes away. The nearest tennis court is located at Sugar Hill about 12 minutes drive away. |
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Locality
Crystal Springs is located off the West Coast Main Road (Highway 1) between Holetown and Speightstown, not far from Fairmont’s Royal Pavilion and Glitter Bay Hotels. There are one or two local shops and rum shops in the area, but the nearest shopping district is Holetown (about 10 minutes south by car). Here you will find the Cave Shepherd Plaza and the larger West Coast Mall. These contain a supermarket, bank, photo centre, duty free shops, video rental, and various shops and boutiques. Also close by is the Chattel House Village, a series of traditional looking Caribbean cabins selling souvenirs, the 24 hour Sandy Crest Medical Centre, and a market stall where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables. The town also has a gas station (as petrol stations are known locally) which has an in store mini-mart and an outlet of KFC, both open until late evening.
Holetown, the place where the English first landed in 1625, later settling it in 1627, is also a local Barbadian community, with Police Station, Post Office, Parish Church, bank, pharmacy, clinic, fitness centre, school and so on.
There is a host of restaurants ranging from posh to pizzas within 15 minutes’ drive in either direction of Crystal Springs, from the celeb favourite the Lone Star, about 5 minutes away, to the famous Cliff Restaurant, which will take about 15 minutes, both heading south. In Holetown itself the restaurants stand shoulder to shoulder (they gather a lively bar crowd in the evening in season and at weekends), but you will also find pizza parlours, cafés, beach bars, fast food outlets and an excellent patisserie. |
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Useful Hints
Ask your travel organiser or the management company (if booking direct) to make sure that the chef is aware of your food preferences before your arrival, so that they can do the shopping and prepare a welcome meal. There are no grocery packs involved for the larger villas with butlers, and staff will shop accordingly. Once you have settled in, all meal requirements are discussed and planned with either your butler or chef, who will prepare menus and do all of the shopping. You will be billed for food and beverages toward the end of your stay, and a 5% service charge plus VAT will be levied.
Miscellaneous items such as airport transfers, extra beds and baby equipment are payable in advance (see here for a price list). In the event that Bajan Services can only provide an estimated cost for customized shopping lists, or where the final payment for your villa has been made prior to other requests, you will be required to complete a credit card authorization form.
Please note that rental rates for villas in Barbados do not include ‘tips’ about which you will find advice in the guest information book at the villa.
The speedboat, including driver, is included for full rate bookings only, excluding the cost of oil and petrol, otherwise use is available for an additional weekly fee. |
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Rates
| | 15 Apr-14 Dec 2008 | 15 Dec-14 Apr 2008-09 | 15 Apr-14 Dec 2009 | | Crystal Springs 8 bedrooms | 3,000 | 4,600 | 3.000 | Rates are quoted in US$ per night and are subject to 7.5% VAT. Minimum stay 7 nights. All rates are subject to change without notice. Separate rates apply for the Christmas & New Year period - prices on request. |
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How to Book
If you wish to book direct, reservations should be made through the local managing agents, Bajan Services Ltd. You will need to send a deposit of 25% of the total rental fee (50% for Christmas/New Year bookings) to confirm a reservation. Payment of the remaining 75% is required 30 days prior your arrival, as is payment for transfers and baby equipment. If you are booking within 30 days of your arrival, full payment must be made to secure the booking. You may contact Bajan Services by using the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page, or if you wish to telephone them, please click on TELEPHONE CONTACT to reveal the number. For a review of Bajan Services Ltd and details of their services please see here. |
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UK Tour Operators
If you wish to book through a tour operator or travel organiser that features this property, please follow the link.
See List of UK Tour Operators
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Airport Meet & Greet
If you are booking direct ask the villa management company to send a taxi to meet you at the airport. Your airport transfers take approximately 45 minutes and should be paid for in advance with the final payment for your villa. Alternatively, if you would prefer to be taken care of from the minute you arrive at the airport, with a range of services that can include limousine transfers, a Concierge Service is offered by St James Travel & Tours.
If you are booking through a travel organiser, it is likely that their representative will be at the airport to meet you. This service and your return airport transfers should be included in the cost of your holiday. Please check at the time of booking. |
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Getting Around
Although everything is relatively close at hand, a hire car is strongly recommended for all private villa holidays, unless you prefer staff to call taxis for you as required. A car will be useful if you want to dine out at night or do lots of sightseeing. Book car hire via your travel organiser or direct with Stoutes Car Rentals and ask for your vehicle to be delivered to the property approximately three hours after your scheduled time of arrival on Barbados or, if preferred, the following morning. Vehicles can be returned at the airport or be collected from the property at a pre-arranged time on your departure day. |
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All the information on this page comes to you free of charge. Please remember to mention DefinitiveCaribbean when you contact Bajan Services Limited for your Barbados rentals or Stoutes for your Barbados car rental requirements.
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