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One of Barbados’ most elegant luxury beachfront
rental villas set in impressive mature tropical gardens |
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A fine colonial villa
Built in the finest colonial style, Nelson Gay makes the most of probably the best location on the favoured west coast of Barbados. Nearby the celebrated Cobbler’s Cove Hotel, on a half-mile crescent of pristine sandy beach, this house is one of Barbados’ best kept secrets.
In grand Palladian style, built entirely of the finest coral stone, Nelson Gay offers over 5,000 square feet of tasteful living space in the main house.
The original features of this Ambassador’s residence have been carefully preserved including Oliver Messel floors and a beautiful mural by celebrated Art Deco artist Erté, a frequent guest at Nelson Gay in the early days. This is a Caribbean mansion in the very best of taste. All on one level, the property is a graceful blend of elegance, comfort and practicality. The house is centred on a grand, columned living room with a 14’ high ceiling. This imposing space opens on to an 80’, part covered terrace with relaxed dining and sitting areas. The formal dining room adjoins a large, fully-equipped professional kitchen.
| The spacious south and north guest wings include five en suite bedrooms, individually air-conditioned, with two covered terraces to provide additional privacy and comfort. There is a separate one bedroom guest cottage with bathroom. In addition, there are two charming one bedroom “Chattel Houses” with verandas. “Chattel” is Bajan slang for a portable wooden house originally used on the plantations. |
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Mature landscaped tropical gardens
The house is set in nearly two acres of mature, landscaped tropical gardens with many fine trees, fronting the immaculate Cobbler’s Cove beach. An impressive 50’ pool leads the eye naturally from the house to the beach. Tiled in Italian green mosaic, the swimming pool blends beautifully with the lush tropical vegetation. At the far end of the garden alongside the beach is an octagonal ‘Chinese’ gazebo, a wonderful place for sunset cocktails and long, leisurely meals cooled by the ocean breeze. |
A house with a fine pedigree
Built in the ‘60s for US Ambassador Robert M. Scotten, a personal friend of President F.D. Roosevelt, the house was designed by British architect Barbara Hill. Inspired by a book on life in the Windward Islands she moved from England to Barbados in 1958. During her many years on the island Ms Hill made a lasting contribution to her adopted country. She was an active member of the Barbados National Trust, author of “Historic Churches of Barbados” and a founding member of the local Institute of Architects. Nelson Gay is considered to be her best work and one of Barbados’ finest and most elegant homes. Since the property’s original design and construction, other designers of note have added their personal touches. Not only Messell and Erté but the gazebo was created by well-known architect Larry Warren. More recently, imaginative garden lighting by UK lighting expert Bruce Munro has been installed to make the evenings at Nelson Gay even more magical.
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This luxury vacation home is all about good taste, facilities and flexibility
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Indoor and outdoor living
The focal point of the house is a stunning coral stone living room measuring 22ft x 22ft with a 14ft high ceiling. An 80ft terrace overlooks the pool, garden and sea with 2 covered seating areas. There are more seating arrangements in the gardens which give guests an excellent choice of places to relax. |
Restrained good taste
Nelson Gay is impressive but never pretentious. A unique blend of elegance and good taste makes it a very special house for discerning guests. The rooms are airy and mostly decorated in white with some green to compliment the tropical surroundings. The dining table was designed by Oliver Messell with 12 French antique chairs and a large Messell mirror. The beds are new and comfortable with lOO% high count cotton sheets and soft hypoallergenic pillows. There are many antiques and works of art, in addition to the Erté mural there is a fine collection of Haitian paintings. There are 5 different place settings, including Wedgewood, Rosenthal and Mikasa and crystal glasses and 4 cutlery sets. Dinner is by candle light and is served by your own chef and a maid or housekeeper in stylish uniforms. |
Fresh and delicious
In high Season we have a full-time Bajan chef. On the chef's day off you can either visit one of the many good local restaurants or our chef will be happy to prepare meals in advance for you. Our chef, Tyrone Charles specialises in fresh, delicious Caribbean foods. He also makes excellent pasta, pizzas, grilled fish and a world famous coconut cream pie. Keep it simple, fresh and delicious is our motto. The kitchen is specified to full professional standards and the quality of the food at Nelson Gay has earned much praise from guests. Our staff orders all your food and drinks requirements so there is no need to shop. |
Formal or al fresco dining
The elegant garden gazebo by the beach seats up to 14. It is equipped with a wet bar and fridge. A dining table on the partly covered terrace can seat up to 20. The coral stone formal dining room features a glass topped table by Oliver Messel and seats up to 12. |
Entertainment for all ages
The media room is equipped with a 60" flat screen, DVD, MP3, surround-sound and reclining chairs. TVs are connected to cable TV in 4 bedrooms (both master bedrooms, North and South Wing bedrooms) and the media room. A further two rooms have DVD players. A music system with multiple surround-sound speakers can be enjoyed in the living room, terrace and gazebo. There is a library of over 160 CDs and approximately 400 DVDs for all ages. |
Exercise, sports and relaxing
The half mile crescent of pristine, coral sand just beyond the garden gate offers incredible swimming and snorkelling on the reef. A large area immediately in front of the villa is roped-off with buoys for safe swimming. The centre piece of the gardens is a spectacular linear swimming pool 50’ x 12’ x 4.6" deep, tiled in green mosaic, it can be heated at extra cost. Small weights, snorkels, masks, yoga mats, exercise balls and water weights are available. There are various games; cards, chess, backgammon, poker/chips. The garden has 8 beach loungers, 9 beach chairs and a choice of seating arrangements. A gym and tennis court may be booked, subject to availability, next door at Cobblers Cove Hotel; rates are reasonable. |
Child friendly
The house is ideal for children of all ages. There is a portable crib for babies up to 9 months, a high chair, children's plates, cutlery, buckets and spades and inflatables. The staff will prepare children's meals at earlier times as needed. A baby-sitter can be arranged. Two sets of bedrooms are connected which is ideal for close supervision and easy monitoring. |
Communications
There are 2 phone lines and a dedicated fax line. There are telephones in all bedrooms and unlimited wireless broadband internet connection. Some UK/US cell phones work in Barbados. A third telephone line on VOIP allows free phone calls to landlines in most countries. |
Friendly and efficient staff
The staff aim to offer the level of service you would find in a 5 star hotel. They will shop, cook, clean and do everything to make your stay a true pleasure. During the Winter season (Dec.15 to April 14) there will be a core staff of 5: Chef, Housekeeper, Maid/laundress, Gardener and Night Watchman supervised by a house manager (part time). For the summer season there are generally fewer staff and for smaller groups staff numbers can be adjusted to suit. A full time laundress is available at extra cost, otherwise normal personal laundry is handled by the maid. A butler, cook and extra staff can be provided to cater for larger parties and/or to cover for the staff’s days off at extra cost and by prior arrangement. Staff normally work split shifts, approximately 9 hours a day and any overtime (work beyond 8:30pm) will be an extra charge. All staff wear day/night uniforms.
Staff Facilities: there are self-contained staff quarters with 3 toilets and 2 showers.
Staff Supervision: an experienced House Manager looks after the property and visits every other day. She is supported by West Coast Villas, a well-established Barbados company which is part of the Sotherby's International Group. |
Laundry
A laundress or maid will do all your personal laundry. The laundry has 2 washing machines and two clothes dryers. Hand washing is possible. Normally personal laundry is returned the same day. |
Medical equipment
A defibrillator and First Aid kit are available. |
Security
A night watchman from a security company patrols the grounds. All bedrooms have a digital safe and central alarm system connected directly to a security company and the Police.
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