For more pictures - Click Here
|
Style: A timeless quality pervades this gracious beachfront Barbados villa home. Very popular lived-in sort of villa, perfectly suited to large family get-togethers. Ideal spot for a memorable wedding
The Beach: Situated on Cobbler’s Cove Beach, a half mile stretch of golden sand. Perfect for all watersports
The Rooms: 6 main bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, 1 powder room
Key features: Superb villa for Barbados rentals, swimming pool (50ft x 12ft), study/media room with 52” satellite TV with DVD/VCR and surround sound, play station 2, fax machine, Dell laptop with ADSL internet access (extra charge), VoIP, 2 phone lines, cell phone; TVs in 4 bedrooms, multiple surround-sound music system for living room and terrace, library of 160 CDs & 300 DVDs, gazebo with wet bar, Precor treadmill and small weights, snorkelling gear, toddlers inflatable pool plus beach toys, board games, and child’s play house.
Children: Welcome – equipment includes a portable baby’s crib for up to 9 months, high chair, children’s dinner ware and beach toys. Child’s play “chattel” house in garden. Children’s menu with earlier meal times as required
Staff: Butler, chef, housekeeper, laundress, gardener and night watchman - increases to 8 staff in high season. Villa Manager oversees the house and visits every day |
| |
Description
Nelson Gay is a 6/7 bedroom private villa that offers bags of old world charm and a massive shady garden that fronts onto a lovely stretch of Caribbean beach on the West Coast of Barbados. Concealed behind a dense vine-covered perimeter wall just before Speightstown, the house melts into a profusion of plants, vines and shrubbery which envelops it’s well weathered coral stone walls, with green painted wood lattice trellis. An air of nostalgia seems to permeate this part of Barbados and many of the nearby houses date back to the days when Barbados was known only to a few very wealthy and privileged visitors. Speightstown itself thankfully still retains an atmosphere of what people now call ‘Old Barbados’ and is generally much slower paced than areas further down the coast. If you are looking for a more sedate setting with lots of charm and character, then this is the place to be.
A gravel driveway leads off the gated entrance from the main road to provide parking for a dozen vehicles in the shade of a large breadfruit tree. To the right a lawn gives way to a lily pond backed by a brimming coral stone fernery, whilst on the opposite side, mango trees attract cavorting monkeys, who perch on an old cannon to enjoy their bounty – a family of Barbados Green Monkeys are regular visitors to Nelson Gay. Built in the 1950s to a Palladian design by British born architect Barbara Hill for US Ambassador Bob Scotten (a friend of US President Franklin D Roosevelt), Nelson Gay occupies almost 2 acres of landscaped gardens, on a prime beachfront estate.
On entering the front porch to Nelson Gay, the first thing to catch your eye is a life-size black marble leopard, and an 18th century bronze temple bell from Burma, which is used as a dinner bell. From here you move into the lofty living room, which is central to Nelson Gay and has an open front giving onto a large terrace. The terrace in turn frames the impressive mosaic tiled swimming pool and is a window to the sea, which is at the bottom of the enormous, park-like garden. The living room still has its original textured cement floor which was designed by Oliver Messel and is painted in a lighter shade of his famous green with cream inserts to resemble tiles. The room is comfortably furnished in a country house style, with a lived-in feel, and features Haitian paintings by Bendal and painted glass bracket tables by the Russian artist Erté. The artist stayed at Nelson Gay on numerous occasions during the 1970s and his work can be seen in a number of pieces, such as the etched glasswork in the foyer to the formal dining room. This leads off the living room and has a large glass dining table for twelve, which was designed by Oliver Messel along with the feature mirror. In the evening the rooms takes on a glittering, magical persona when the table is set with fine china and crystal (there is a choice of five different sets of dinner ware and 4 sets of cutlery) and the room is lit with various candles, a late 19th century Baccarat candelabra and two attractive perforated Moroccan lamps.
Outside, on the partially covered 80 foot wide terrace and in the gardens, are two further important dining locations, and it has to be said that al fresco dining is one of the delights of staying at Nelson Gay. It has spectacular garden lighting (designed by UK lighting specialist Bruce Munroe), which creates a truly wonderful setting. The terrace has a large long table under canvas, which seats up to twenty and was specially designed by Bjorn Windblad, chief designer for Rosenthal china makers in Germany. Further down the shady gardens, which have well kept lawns and numerous mature trees, is the dining gazebo which is close to the beach and therefore a convenient spot for lunch. The gazebo can cater for up to fourteen, and has a wet bar and fridge. The chef at Nelson Gay is Tyrone Charles, whose spiced coconut cream pie is featured during the National Trust’s Open House Day and is a hit with house guests. He likes to stick to fresh, simple and good tasting Caribbean food with lots of grilled fish. He is also a dab hand at home made pasta and pizza.
For relaxing and entertainment, there are plenty of sitting areas around the garden, as well as areas under canvas next to the main terrace. There is an ample supply of loungers and beach chairs for the beach and pool. A well equipped study/media room is located in the middle of the north bedroom wing, which is comfortably furnished (it has a day bed which can sleep up to two more people by special arrangement). It has a Sony 52” satellite TV with DVD (selection of around 300 DVD’s for all ages) and VCR (PAL & NTSC) with surround sound. There is also a Play Station 2 and Dell laptop with internet connection. A pre-paid cell phone is available to guests. For the young ones, an utterly delightful wooden chattel house is located to the side of the gardens. They can use it for play and art work. The house has a small bathroom with shower and can sleep two extra guests by special arrangement. A stereo system with surround sound speakers provides music in the sitting room and out on the terrace with a selection of around 160 CDs to choose from. The DVD library has 300 well chosen films for all ages and tastes. Other toys include a selection of board games such as chess and backgammon, a Precor Treadmill, and some small weights, masks and snorkels, plus buckets and spades for the children.
The layout of the bedrooms allows some guests a larger degree of privacy than others, and works well when there are children involved. The north wing of Nelson Gay houses four bedrooms, two of which are the all white master bedrooms with a “his” bedroom having a king size bed, with original wardrobes with chicken wire fronts, to allow air to circulate, and a “hers” bedroom with king size four poster. Both flank a huge bathroom which is a vision in white featuring a tropical fish tank and built-in seating. A second bathroom is located off the “hers” bedroom, which doubles as a shared bathroom for the study, and this is where the original house ended.
Subsequent owners of Nelson Gay and friends of Erté added two bedrooms in the 1970s, one of which is known as the Erté Room and exhibits a wall painting designed by the artist but which was actually painted by Harold Cormell. The painting is of a mermaid and is unusual in that she is black rather than blond haired and blue eyed. The room has a queen size bed, French furnishings and a couple of Erté lithographs, plus a delightful display of seashells. With the two en suite bathrooms in between, is the Green Room, which has its own private covered purple heart wood deck leading out to the gardens. The décor of the room is naturally green, with a lovely Venetian chandelier and a replica of Van Gogh’s famous Irises above the twin beds – the painting was done by a French artist who studied Van Gogh’s work to such an extent that he was able to make a living out of producing excellent fakes.
On the opposite side of the house, off the main terrace and close to the kitchen, is the south wing bedroom, which has a queen size bed and a private patio, again made from purple heart wood, with views to the pool, beach and chattel house. The rooms have ‘his’ and ‘her’ bathrooms (shower only) designed by Oliver Messel. The 6th and final main bedroom is located in a separate cottage, tucked away behind the main house to the South. It has a small covered porch, 3 single beds, is simply furnished and decorated in white, with an en suite bathroom with tub/shower.
All main bedrooms are individually air-conditioned (including the Chattel House) and have either ceiling or standing fans, and are en suite - showers only except the Erté, Green and Cottage bedrooms which have tub/showers. Both master bedrooms have a TV connected to satellite, as do the south wing, Erté and Green bedrooms.
A Defibrillator and First Aid Kit are available. |
| ^ back to top |
Beach & Swimming
Beautiful beachfront setting, with a half mile stretch of beach that runs north form Cobbler’s Cove Hotel, with a roped off swimming area in front of the house. Excellent swimming and snorkelling on a small reef nearby – beware of the black spiky sea urchins which are known locally as ‘cobblers’ and whose brittle spines will embed themselves if trodden on or brushed against roughly. Nelson Gay has beautiful long slender swimming pool with green mosaic tiles which is set into the centre of the gardens under the shade of mature trees. The pool is 50ft by 12ft and 4 ½ ft in depth, with steps each end – removable handrails are available for guests with limited mobility. |
| ^ back to top |
Sports & Recreation
The nearest golf course is Royal Westmoreland about 20 minutes drive away, which has some tee times open to outsiders in the mid morning. Otherwise about 30 minutes away there are two courses open to the public at Sandy Lane, which also has tennis courts. For tennis you could also try Sugar Hill just below Royal Westmoreland. Nelson Gay has a Precor treadmill and a set of small weights. Watersports are available by request on site. Snorkels and masks are provided. |
| ^ back to top |
Locality
Nelson Gay is located just outside Speightstown, north of Cobblers Cove Hotel as are one or two similarly exclusive homes including Bellerive, the home of Oscar winning Claudette Colbert, where she lived for many many years.
Speightstown, the island’s second largest town and can be reached on foot in approximately 5 minutes along the beach in or a couple of minutes by car. Once known as Little Bristol because of connections to Bristol on the west coast of England, Speightstown still has a feel of old time Barbados about it. There is a small fish market on the seafront, fruit and vegetable sellers known as ‘hucksters' on the road side, a couple of local restaurants and bars and a smattering of shops, plus a reasonably well stocked supermarket. The nearest good restaurants to the north are Mango's by the Sea, La Mer at Port St Charles and The Fish Pot at Little Good Harbour. To the south try the Terrace at Cobblers Cove Hotel and the Lone Star. |
| ^ back to top |
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. |
| ^ back to top |
Rates
| | 15 Apr-14 Dec 2009 | 15 Dec-14 Apr 2009-10 | 15 Apr-14 Dec 2010 | | Nelson Gay 6 bedrooms 4 bedrooms | 2,800 2,200 | 3,750 2,800 | 2,800 2,200 | 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 and New Year period - prices on request. |
| ^ back to top |
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. |
| ^ back to top |
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
|
| ^ back to top |
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 50 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. |
| ^ back to top |
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 or take public transport. 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 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. |
| ^ back to top |
Have you found this page useful?
We appreciate your feedback on our service.
I found this page useful
I would like to make a comment
All the information on this site comes to you free of charge and we do not receive commission for your reservations so it is always good to hear if you think we are doing a good job, or if you have any constructive suggestions. Please also remember to mention DefinitiveCaribbean to your friends so that we may be helpful to more people looking for an enjoyable Caribbean villa experience.
Thank you for your interest. |
| ^ back to top |
|
Print
page
www.bajanservices.com
