In our view
Stunning colonial style home and beachfront estate that 'wows' the minute you walk through the gate and see the view to the Caribbean Sea.
On the favoured west coast, Nelson Gay’s garden gate opens straight on to a stunning crescent of perfect coral sand. The clear, sheltered water is roped off for safe swimming and is ideal for all water sports. There’s also a coral reef with excellent snorkelling. This elegant coral stone Palladian mansion is set in a lush tropical estate of nearly two acres. Nelson Gay's beachfront estate is perfect for family or group holidays.
Built for a U.S. Ambassador over 50 years ago, the timeless good taste this property offers is hard to find in more recent properties. The surrounding gardens reflect the sure touch of the original designer and have matured to become some of the best on the island.
Most recently renovated under the direction of architect Brian Surfleet, Nelson Gay has maintained a timeless quality difficult to find in more recently built properties, expertly mixing classic architecture with modern amenities to create the ideal family holiday setting. The home provides elegant accommodation for a couple desiring generous space for entertaining, and is also spacious enough for a large group or family.
After approaching the house by a circular drive, the main entrance hall sets the tone for the home’s refined tropical elegance; it features a marble floor with a compass rose design, breezy latticework, tropical plants and impressive sculptures. The hall opens to the living room, featuring a 14 feet high ceiling with an intricate wrought iron chandelier and most impressively, an unobstructed view of the gardens, pool and Caribbean Sea just beyond.
Situated on one level, the house has a central living area flanked by two wings; the rooms are spacious, airy and decorated with a sense of relaxed elegance. The design of white with accents of green compliment the tropical surroundings as well as the vibrant art collection, which includes several antiques and notable works of art, including a stunning Erté mural and a fine collection of Haitian paintings.
The South Wing of the home includes the kitchen, laundry room and formal dining room, a masterpiece on its own. Lit by candlelight only, the dining room provides a dramatic, intimate setting for evening parties. Featuring a glass-topped table designed by renowned designer Oliver Messel, complimented by French antique chairs and a selection of five different place settings, including Wedgewood, Rosenthal and Mikasa, the dining room accommodates up to 12 guests.
There are five bedrooms in the main house, each decorated in a soothing palette of green and white, with high quality linens, chandelier lighting, billowing curtains and tiled flooring also designed by Messel. The bedrooms are each individually air-conditioned and feature plasma televisions, cable and DVD players for entertainment; some have a small fridge and mini bar for added convenience. These five bedrooms, combined with the one bedroom cottage, have seven bathrooms in total (including a ‘His and Hers’), as well as a guest cloakroom.
One bedroom is located in the South Wing; featuring his and hers en suite bathrooms with showers. The bedroom’s external doors fold back to reveal a charming private patio with sitting area and verdant foliage, ideal for a morning cup of tea or private relaxation.
The North Wing houses the other four bedrooms, two of which comprise an impressively spacious Master Suite connected by a large en suite bathroom with shower; there is a second en suite bathroom in the suite as well.
The Erté Mural Room features a queen-sized bed, en suite bathroom with bath/shower and access to a covered terrace opening on to the pool and gardens. The room has been aptly named due to the unique mermaid mural painted by the artist on the bedroom’s wall, where he stayed during his frequent visits to Nelson Gay. The fourth and final bedroom in the North Wing, the Green Room, features two single beds (which can be combined as a large king), en suite bath with shower, pool terrace access as well as a private patio opening on to the gardens.
The North Wing also has a media room with a range of entertainment amenities, including a 55” flat screen television with surround sound, cable television and a library of over 400 DVD titles. There is also a day bed that can be used for additional single accommodation if necessary.
At the far end of the garden, there is direct access to the coral sand beach, with seating just before the private beach gate. There is a roped area for safe swimming and a nearby coral reef provides excellent snorkelling. Cobblers Cove Hotel is just a short walk up the beach, where guests of Nelson Gay can enjoy tennis, a gym and spa services for a small fee. Additional concierge services can be arranged through the house manager. In addition to the main house’s accommodation for up to 11 people, Nelson Gay offers additional guest quarters which can accommodate up to seven additional guests.
The media room within the main house holds a day bed which sleeps one, but roll away beds can be rented if need be for up to 2 persons. A self-contained guest cottage with private patio and en suite bathroom sleeps two additional guests. There are also a traditional Barbadian wooden Chattel House, a charming cottage featuring porches, gingerbread trim and white shuttered windows. The cottage provides accommodation for two people and an en suite bathroom and a small kitchenette. Perfect for teens or young adult guests, the Chattel Houses can be used by special arrangement.
With such a range of accommodation, Nelson Gay is an ideal holiday retreat for groups of friends as well as families with children of all ages. All outdoor and indoor furniture is covered in durable, washable and ‘childproof’ Sunbrella fabric. The beach is an excellent play area, and the sea is normally calm and safe for supervised swimming. A crib with mosquito netting is available for babies up to nine months, and additional equipment can be arranged through concierge services.
To ensure your holiday is as relaxing as possible, Nelson Gay is staffed by an experienced, well-trained and friendly team including a butler, cooks, housekeeper, maid, two gardeners and a night watchman. This core staff can be increased depending on season and number of guests. The staff will tend to your every need, including planning meals, shopping, cooking, serving, cleaning, laundry and everything else, ensuring you receive a stress-free five-star experience during your stay, while providing complete privacy.
Please note that an additional staffing charge of US$750 per week applies for any bookings with more than 12 adults, payable prior to arrival.
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A security deposit of US$3,500 will be required on arrival.
Property owners tend to accept bookings over the Christmas and New Year period on stricter terms than at other times of year. In general, bookings are subject to a 14 night minimum stay but owners may require a 3 week booking in some cases and will often need to approve dates to fit with their own travel plans or those of other guests. A higher deposit of 50% of the total rental price is payable for such bookings and the balance becomes due earlier at 90 days before arrival.
All prices quoted above have been calculated based on information provided by the owners but are subject to confirmation during December and January as occasionally owners may insist on the higher Christmas rate being applied either side of the main Christmas period. We suggest you contact us for a firm price quotation at this time of year, before making your booking.
Sleeps up to 18 people with additional accommodation in the media room and 2 chattel houses. Prices over Christmas/New Year are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
