Your Complete Guide to Staffed Villas in Barbados

When you book a villa in Barbados, you’re not just booking a place to stay - you’re booking an experience. A villa gives you the space and freedom of a home, while the option of staff can make your stay easier, so you don’t need to worry about chores and can spend more time enjoying the island with your family and friends.

Here, we answer the most common questions we receive about staffed villas in Barbados.

What does a 'staffed villa' in Barbados mean?

In Barbados, the term 'staffed villa' means that your accommodation comes with a dedicated staff member or team who will take care of tasks such as daily housekeeping or meal preparation. Unlike a self-catered rental, a staffed villa offers the comfort and privacy of a home, along with the ease of knowing household duties are looked after.

While every apartment and villa is different, most will include, at minimum, a housekeeper a few times a week. Larger estate homes, meanwhile, often come with their own in-house team to look after your every need. Depending on the number of bedrooms and the preferences of the guests, staffing can range from a housekeeper and cook to a full complement including laundress, chef, and butler. You’ll find the exact details listed under the 'On Hand to Help' section on each property listing in our portfolio. In some cases, the number of staff may also vary depending on the season or how many bedrooms are occupied during your stay.

What type of staff can I expect in my villa?

The exact team will vary depending on the size and style of your villa, but typically includes:

• Housekeeper - keeping everything spotless.
• Laundress - taking care of your laundry.
• Cook or Chef - preparing delicious meals tailored to your preferences.
• Butler - on hand for serving meals, drinks, and making sure your stay runs smoothly.
• Gardener - ensuring the gardens and outdoor spaces are beautifully kept.
• Security - some villas also include security staff for peace of mind.

In some villas, the housekeeper may also take on the role of cook, preparing simple meals alongside their housekeeping duties. This is often the case in some of our smaller properties. On our listing we would specify this with Housekeeper/Cook as the one staff member is performing multiple duties. Your Hammerton Barbados reservation specialist can confirm exactly which staff are included with your chosen villa.

What’s the difference between a cook and a chef?

Guests often ask about the difference between a villa cook and a private chef. A cook will usually prepare simple, home-style meals to your preference, from a hearty breakfast to a relaxed family dinner. A chef, on the other hand, is professionally trained and can offer a wider repertoire, often including fine dining menus, creative presentation, and multi-course meals. Cooks and chefs alike are happy to tailor dishes to your tastes and dietary needs, and it’s always worth checking the wording in each villa listing to see what’s provided.

What meals are prepared by villa staff?

Your cook or chef will usually prepare two consecutive meals a day, such as breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner. Extra meals can often be available by arrangement, please check with our concierge team when arranging your stay. Menus are flexible - you can enjoy traditional Bajan dishes like flying fish and macaroni pie, or international favourites. Many cooks are happy to discuss your preferences on the first day and create a menu plan together.

Are staff included in the price of the villa?

Yes, in our staffed villas the cost of the listed household staff is included in your rental price. You’ll only need to cover the cost of groceries and any additional services you request (such as extra staff members or extra working hours).

In some complexes or resorts, services such as communal security or maintenance are provided by the wider estate.

How does grocery shopping work?

There are a few options for organising groceries during your stay:

• Pre-arrival shopping – Before you arrive, our concierge team will reach out to help arrange a pre-arrival shop so that your villa is stocked with essentials for your first day. Please note this service carries an additional charge and is completely optional.
• Shopping yourself – Most guests prefer to visit the supermarket or local markets themselves. This is the most common option, as it allows you to choose exactly what you’d like to eat and stock up on your preferred items. Your cook or chef will usually sit with you to plan meals and write a grocery list so you know exactly what to buy.
• Staff shopping on your behalf – In some villas, the staff can shop for you. Guests can give the cook cash to purchase groceries on their behalf, and there will often be additional charges for this service, such as petrol costs or a small service fee.

Our concierge team and on-island property management will guide you on what works best for you and your villa.

What hours do villa staff typically work?

Staff usually work a standard day that covers meal preparation, housekeeping, and laundry. Staff are flexible, and will often ensure their schedule matches your plans as well as always being discreet and respectful of your space. Most villas have staff working six days a week, with Sundays as their usual day off.

Can we adjust the level of staff service?

The villa staff are there to make your stay as comfortable as possible and will always respect your privacy. If your villa includes a cook or chef and you prefer not to have them for the full duration, it’s usually possible to adjust their schedule or request that they are not present every day. This does not change the price of the villa, but it gives you the flexibility to decide what suits you best, for example, if you plan to dine out regularly.

If you would prefer not to have a cook or chef at all, we can request this in advance on a case-by-case basis and confirm what’s possible for your chosen villa.

It’s also possible to arrange additional staff for your villa at an extra cost. Whether you’d like to add a cook, chef, or butler, our team can help organise this and provide quotes based on your needs.

Do I need to tip villa staff in Barbados?

Tipping is customary and always appreciated. Many guests choose to either leave a collective tip for the team or a tip for each staff member at the end of their stay. Whilst guidelines on tipping can vary, we recommend simply leaving an amount you feel comfortable with.

Can I request additional staff or services?

Yes. Many of our guests choose to enhance their stay with extra services such as:

• Drivers for exploring the island
• Babysitters or nannies
• Spa therapists for in-villa massages
• Yoga or fitness instructors
• Event catering for special celebrations

Our concierge team will be delighted to arrange any of these for you.

Which Hammerton Barbados villas come fully staffed?

Many of our villas include staff as standard, from intimate beach houses to large estates. Explore our full collection here.

A few examples are:

• Mahogany Bay – Fathom’s End – This three-bedroom villa in St James combines the comfort of a private home with the service of a housekeeper who also cooks, preparing two meals a day to your taste.
• Calliaqua – Overlooking the Caribbean Sea at Sugar Hill Estate, this five-bedroom villa includes a cook and a housekeeper/laundress, with 24-hour communal security provided by the estate.
• Banyan House – A five-bedroom villa set in the exclusive Queens Fort area, Banyan House comes with a full team including housekeepers, a chef, butler, laundress, and night watchman, offering seamless service throughout your stay.

See what our clients say

Many of our guests tell us that the villa staff are what make their holiday truly memorable. Here are just a couple of recent comments:

A guest returning from their stay at La Lune told us:

“…the real highlight was being looked after by Jan and Marcia. We really cannot speak highly enough of the whole trip.”

Another guest who stayed at Eden recently commented:

“…the staff were really lovely and made it a very special trip!”

Ready to book your Barbados staffed villa?

At Hammerton Barbados, we know our villas in detail, including the level of staff support each one offers. We’ll help match you with the right property for your needs so your holiday runs smoothly from start to finish.

Contact us today to find your perfect staffed villa in Barbados.