Beachcomber
- Category
- Villas & Villa Living
- Island
- Grenada & Carriacou
- Location
- Hillsborough Bay, Carriacou
- No of Rooms:
- 3
- Prices from:
- US $270.00/ villa/ night ? view all rates
At a glance
One of the few Caribbean beachfront houses on Carriacou, this comfortably-furnished 3-bedroom property is set within its own private gardens and has wheelchair access. Located close to the historic ruins of the Craigston Lime factory, it is just a few steps from the beach at Sparrow Bay where there is excellent swimming and snorkelling. The two double bedrooms and one twin room all have en suite facilities.
- Best for:
- Beach, Family
- Who for:
- Family and friends wanting a beachfront location
- Not for:
- Those wanting a more contemporary style or their own swimming pool
- How to get there:
- Direct flights from UK, US, Canada, Europe to Grenada and an inter-island flight or fast ferry to Carriacou. Alternatively travel via Barbados from where there are flights to Carriacou
Key features
One of only a few Caribbean beachfront cottages on Carriacou, close to the historic ruins of Craigston Lime factory. Ocean view veranda with stone BBQ and sitting area, full kitchen inside, a/c, mosquito screens and ceiling fans in all bedrooms, solar-heated hot water showers, cable TV, CD player, DL telephone and broadband, laundry room with washing machine.
Style:
Traditional Caribbean style bungalow with tiled floors and shutters throughout, extensive use of rattan furniture and criss-cross balustrades on a large veranda. Simple, colourful and locally furnished in wood. Comfortable feel, cool and airy
The beach:
A few steps down to a mix of coral white and volcanic grey sand at Sparrow Bay. Excellent swimming and snorkelling
The rooms / villas:
Two double bedrooms and one twin bedroom, all with en suite bathrooms
Children:
Welcome
Staff:
Twice-weekly maid service (can be arranged more often)
Journalist’s Review
Beach & Swimming
Beachcomber sits a few steps above Sparrow Bay, where there is a reasonable stretch of mid-brown sand. There is good swimming and snorkelling.
The closest of the island's other excellent beaches is at Anse la Roche, just north of Bogles. Although development is possibly on the cards there, the beach has no facilities at present and so you will have to take all you need in the way of water and food. Alternatively you can head down to Paradise Bay on the other side of Hillsborough, where there is another excellent stretch of sand with a beach bar.
There is no pool at Beachcomber.
Sports & Recreation
Watersports are limited on Carriacou. The scuba diving, however, is pretty good and there are several dive shops. Try Carriacou Silver Diving in Hillsborough, which is not far away. They will also rent you snorkelling gear.
There are several excellent day sails based in the island (people come from as far afield as Grenada for them). They visit the islands off Carriacou and also the Tobago Cays a few miles to the north. If you would prefer to travel to the offshore islands independently, you can get one of the water-taxi men to run you out to Sandy Island off Paradise Beach.
Locality
Beachcomber is in the north-west of Carriacou, in a small hillside villa community called Craigston Estate, right next to the old lime factory. Many of the villas have excellent views of Hillsborough Bay and the islands beyond. Hillsborough itself, the island's capital town (more of a village, really) is just a few minutes away. Here you will find supermarkets, a couple of 'sites', such as the small museum, and a handful of restaurants, including Callaloo and the Sea Wave Restaurant & Bar. Close to Beachcomber, towards Bogles is the Round House, a very nice restaurant set in a private house.
Beyond Hillsborough along the coast is Paradise Beach (though you have to go inland to get around the airport), which is the liveliest beach on the island. And not far beyond it is Tyrell Bay, where there are several restaurants and bars to go with a fantastic view of the sunset through the yachts and local trading boats. Try Turtle Dove and Lambi Queen, or the bar on the pontoon in the bay.
Useful Hints
Down Island Villa Rentals can arrange for a cooked meal to be delivered to Beachcomber on your first evening so that you do not have to think about cooking on your arrival. They can also stock your villa with groceries in advance if you wish. After your booking is confirmed, Down Island will send out a provisions list so that you can choose what you require. The cost of the shopping will be added to your account. These services are subject to a service charge of up to 15%.
Getting to Carriacou
Getting to your villa in Carriacou can be a little complicated. The easiest access is probably via Grenada, from where there are about three daily flights on SVG Air. However the latest flight is at about 4pm, so (depending on your international connections) you may not be able to make the island on the same day. You might consider a two-centre holiday with a villa in Grenada. Another option is the fast ferry, the Osprey, which runs twice daily both ways between the islands. The last sailing to Carriacou from downtown St George's is at about 5.30pm.
Barbados is better served with international flights than Grenada and so it may be easier to route your journey via there. Inter-island flights are not ideal, but you can take a share charter flight to Union Island. From here there are two different options, a short hop by plane (be aware that the last flight usually leaves by about 4pm) or a water taxi ride from Union Island to Carriacou. Another option to consider from Barbados, the most direct of all, is to take a private charter in a small plane. This is obviously convenient and, if there are enough of you, prices will be comparable. The option of a private charter probably gives you the best chance of getting to Carriacou on the same day. Contact SVG Air.
A couple of days a week there are also services from Carriacou via Canouan, which is not far away in the Grenadines. Canouan can be reached from San Juan in Puerto Rico.
Meet & Greet
Down Island Villas will meet you at the airport or the ferry dock in Hillsborough when you arrive on Carriacou. They will take you to Beachcomber, where the housekeeper will settle you in and answer any questions you have about the villa or about the island.
On departure, most guests drive themselves back to the ferry dock or the airport, but if you would prefer, Down Island will arrange transport for you free of charge.
Getting Around
A car is a useful addition to a Carriacou villa rental. You can explore the island, visit the beaches for the day, eat out when you do not want to cater for yourself and collect your groceries. We recommend a rental car with all Caribbean vacation villa rentals and suggest that you make a reservation in advance through Down Island Villas, who use our recommended Carriacou car hire company, Martin and Wayne Jeep Rentals. Or you can do so through your travel organiser.
Down Island's delivery driver will bring the jeep to Beachcomber so that you can complete the paperwork. They will then accompany you to the Police Station in order for you to get your local Grenadian driving licence (price EC$30 for each driver), and give you an orientation tour of Hillsborough and the area at the same time. Be aware that at the height of the season between December and April, as well as during August and Thanksgiving (November), cars on island can be booked up, so it is a good idea to reserve one in advance.
Buses do run around the island, from Hillsborough past Snow Hill to Bogles and across to Windward. You will need to walk down to the main road. Services are unpredictable.
Beachcomber offers bookings via the following villa rental agents:
-
Down Island Villas
A villa rental agency based on Grenada’s sister island of Carriacou, with over 17 years experience.
See details for this property on the Villa Rental Agent’s web site
