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Style: Spacious open-air, gracious beachfront living, in a traditional, old style setting with an air of bygone days.
The Beach: A fabulous long stretch of golden sand stretching towards Mullins Bay
The Rooms: 3 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms
Key features: One of the lucky rental villas in Barbados that occupies a prime position on fabulous Gibbs Beach, beachfront garden, cable TV, VCR, CD player, fax machine and barbecue.
Children:
Staff: Butler, cook, maid/laundress |
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Description
As its name suggests, High Trees stands among tall trees - casuarina pines, coconut palms, mahogany trees and on the beach a couple of *manchioneel trees - in the leafy environs of Gibbs quite far north on Barbados’s West Coast. Set in an acre of well maintained gardens and lawns it is one of a number of similar luxury holiday homes and residences dotted along this prime stretch of land.
Unlike the busier strip in St James farther south, this area of St Peter has a much quieter feel. It was traditionally the choice of travellers seeking a retreat from the more fashionable beaches, and remains so. One notable feature of this part of the island is that there is not a single hotel along the beaches of Gibbs and Mullins. All you will find are villas and smart homes, though one or two of those are large enough almost to be considered mini hotels. Although there has been some development within the area over recent years, not much has really changed and the only activity of note takes place around the former Mullins Beach Bar, as it has for decades.
The main living area of High Trees is actually out on the large covered veranda which runs almost the entire length of the villa. The veranda is typical of the older, more gracious beach homes and has a series of coral stone pillars that frame the lovely sea views. A low hedge provides partial screening of the veranda, giving a degree of privacy from anyone walking along the beach. Furnished with white painted wrought iron and rattan patio furniture, the covered terrace has both a sitting and a dining area. In addition guests can opt to dine in the gazebo, which is located to the edge of the lawn in the north corner of the garden, close to the beach. It also has a cannon pointing out to sea. A path leads from the veranda through a nice area of lawn to a paved sun terrace set directly above the beach and low boundary wall. This is a fabulous spot to drink cocktails whilst watching the sun set on the sea horizon. High Trees is a gracious home, decorated in a fairly traditional tropical style, with lots of painted wicker furniture, pretty floral fabrics and pastel shades and with accessories that reflect the seaside setting. There are also several original paintings and prints.
There are three air-conditioned bedrooms, a king and two twins. All of them have ceiling fans, and en suite bathrooms, two with shower and one with tub/shower. Two of the bedrooms are located on the north wing and one on the south. |
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Beach & Swimming
High Trees is situated on one of Barbados’ best beaches, Gibbs Beach on Mullins Bay which runs into Mullins Beach and boasts a long stretch of golden and some of the best swimming on the West Coast. This stunning beach lies directly in front of the villa beyond a low wall garden, and is simply glorious with excellent swimming, and views right up the bay.
There are a couple of *manchineel trees in the beachfront garden whose leaves produce a caustic sap and should never be used for shelter during rainfall or shortly after to avoid skin blistering. The yellow, apple-like fruit are also poisonous, so do be watchful around small children. If consumed seek medical treatment immediately. Most trees either carry signs or have a red painted ring around the base of the trunk. |
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Sports & Recreation
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 the three courses at Sandy Lane about 20 minutes away. The nearest tennis courts are located at Sugar Hill about 12 minutes drive away. Watersports are available from Mullins Beach. |
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Locality
High Trees is nestled within an acre of mature gardens, with a string of luxury homes and holiday villas nearby. It lies on the long stretch of beach known as Gibbs which stretches north to Mullins Bay and the popular Mannie’s Suga Suga (former Mullins Beach Bar) beach bar. Speightstown, the island’s second largest town, is a very short drive away (about 7 minutes). 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 The Terrace at Cobblers Cove hotel, Mango's by the Sea, La Mer at Port St Charles and The Fish Pot at Little Good Harbour. To the south try celeb favourite the Lone Star.
A simple supper in one of the fishing villages to the north of St Peter or in St Lucy at Shermans or Half Moon Fort on a Friday or Saturday is an option, for this is when freshly caught fish is cooked by the roadside – this is becoming a popular alternative to the busier Oistins Fish Fry. Here you will find the small wooden fish stalls interspersed with make-shift bars right on the beach at the side of the road, or the occasional rustic dining area perched above the sea. Local fishing boats are still built in this area and can be seen along the road side. |
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Useful Hints
Ask your travel organiser or the management company (if booking direct) for initial food and drink supplies to be laid in for your arrival. The cook will then prepare a welcome meal. Thereafter, staff will shop for you during your stay if you wish to delegate this chore, however it is up to the guest to provide transportation and funds for the staff to do so. Rental rates for villas in Barbados do not include ‘tips’, about which you will find advice in the guest information book at the villa. Initial groceries and additional shopping, transfers, and any other incidentals such as crib, high chair, TV rental are subject to a 15% VAT and 15% Service Charge. |
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Rates
| | 15 Apr-14 Dec 2007 | 15 Dec-14 Apr 2007-08 | 15 Apr-14 Dec 2008 | | High Trees 1-6 guests | 750 | 1,050 | 750 | Prices are per night in US$ and exclude 7.5% Government Tax. Minimum stay of 7 nights. Rates do not include the Christmas/New Year period for which special rates apply, with a minimum stay of 14 nights. All rates are subject to change without notice. |
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How To Book
If you wish to book direct, bookings should be made through the local managing agents, AAAltman. You will need to send a deposit equal to 25% of the total rental fee to confirm a reservation and payment of the remaining 75% is required 30 days in summer and 60 days in winter prior your arrival. If you are booking within 30 days or less prior to your arrival, full payment must be made to secure the booking. You may contact AAAltman by using the WEB LINK or DIRECT 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 AAAltman and details of their services please see here. |
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Airport Meet & Greet
If you are booking direct ask the villa management company AAAltman to send a taxi to meet you at the airport. Once you request their transfer service, they will have a representative at the airport outside the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name on it, who will direct you to your awaiting taxi. Your airport transfers are paid for locally.
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 and 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 most things are relatively close at hand and Speightstown and Holetown can easily be reached by public transport, a hired 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 and particularly when it comes to shopping for groceries. Book car hire via your travel organiser or direct with Stoutes Car Rentals and ask for your vehicle(s) to be delivered to the property approximately 3 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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