Nelson Gay is located on a half-mile pristine, sandy beach.  A large area immediately bordering the property is roped off with buoys for safe ocean swimming, and nearby is a reef ideal for snorkeling.  The villa’s nearly two-acre beachfront site includes a lovely swimming pool set in spacious landscaped gardens.  Many mature old trees offer shade amid lush tropical vegetation, and families of monkeys are a daily sight.  The villa was built in the 1950s for US Ambassador Scotten, a friend of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and is constructed entirely of coral stone in  the grand Palladian  manner. 

Nelson Gay was designed by UK-born and trained Barbara Hill, a member of the Royal College of Architects.  Inspired by a book on life in the Windward Islands, she moved from England to Barbados in 1958.  During her 24 years here, she participated in national life and made a lasting contribution to her adopted country.  She was an active member of the Barbados National Trust, the author of Historic Churches of Barbados, and a founding member of the local institute of Architects.  At the Barbados Museum, she remodeled the upper and lower courtyards, and created its garden courtyard and outdoor theatre. 

She also designed the old Bank of Nova Scotia building on Broad Street, alterations at Mango Bay, and the wrought iron gates to Villa Nova.

Nelson Gay is considered to be her finest work, and by many experts to be one of Barbados’ finest and most elegant homes, retaining the charm of a bygone era. Nelson Gay nestles in nearly two acres of mature tropical gardens fronting the pristine Cobbler's Cove beach.

There is a stunning living room with 14ft high ceilings measuring approximately 22ft x 22ft. An 80ft terrace overlooking the pool, garden and sea with 2 covered seating areas. The house has various seating arrangements in the gardens.

Nelson Gay is elegant, functional yet unpretentiously decorated and thus devoid of so-called 'glitz'. It represents a rare example of a bygone era of elegance and good taste. The house is child friendly. 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 including an Erté original mural and a fine collection of Haitian paintings. There are 5 different place settings, including Wedgewood, Rosenthal and Mikasa crystal glasses and 4 cutlery sets. Dinner is by candle light and is served by your own chef, butler and a maid in stylish uniforms.

For a full description of contents visit www.nelsongay.com prepared for the Annual National Trust Tour. The new spectacular garden lighting was recently designed by famed UK lighting expert Bruce Munro.

In high Season a full-time Bajan chef is available aided by an assistant cook. On the chef's day off you can either visit one of the many delicious local restaurants or our cook will be happy to prepare meals as required. Our chef, Tyrone Charles specialises in fresh, delicious Caribbean foods. He also makes excellent home-made pasta, pizzas, grilled fish and a world famous coconut cream pie. Keep it simple, fresh and delicious is our motto (and lowish in calories). The kitchen is equipped with a professional six-burner gas range, large stainless steel fridge, freezers, smoke extractor and preparation table. All equipment is of professional standard. Our staff orders all your food and drinks requirements so there is no need to shop. The Butler has a car and will run errands as required.

An elegant garden gazebo designed by well-known architect Larry Warren, by the beach seats up to 14 and is equipped with a wet bar and fridge. A dining table on partly covered terrace can seat up to 20. Formal candle-lit dining room with glass topped table was designed by Oliver Messel and seats up to 12. The round table on the terrace seats 8.

The study/media room is equipped with reclining chairs, a Sony 52" TV, DVD, surround-sound, and VCR. TVs are connected to satellite Direct TV in 4 bedrooms (both master bedrooms, North and South Wing bedrooms) and the study (2 rooms only have DVD). A music system with multiple surround-sound speakers features in the living room, terrace and gazebo. There is a library of over 160 CDs and approximately 300 DVDs for all ages.

Small weights, snorkels, masks, yoga mats, exercise balls, water weights an inflatable pool for toddlers and various games; cards, chess, backgammon, poker/chips. The garden has 8 beach loungers, 9 beach chairs and various seating arrangements. A gym and tennis court may be booked, subject to availability, next door at Cobblers Cove Hotel; the rates are reasonable.

There are 8 en-suite bathrooms (one bedroom has two bathrooms) and 1 powder room. Master bathrooms have showers only. The South Wing bedroom has his and hers bathrooms with showers. Bathroom in the cottage has a combination tub/shower. Bathrooms in North Wing with tub/showers. Chattel House has its own toilet/shower.

The staff are efficient, friendly and well-trained. They will shop, cook, clean and do all that is necessary to make your stay a true pleasure with the service of a five-star hotel. During the Winter season (essentially mid-December to end of April) there will be a core staff of 8: a butler, cook, two maids, laundress, gardener and assistant gardener, and a contracted night watchman. During the Summer season, there will be the friendly, efficient core-staff of 8: a butler, cook, laundress, maid, gardener and a contracted night watchman 6 days a week. A relief butler and cook and extra staff can be made available to cater for larger parties and/or on 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.

Staff Facilities
The property has self-contained staff quarters and 3 staff toilets with 2 showers. All staff wear day/night uniforms.

Staff Supervision
A part-time experienced house manager looks after the property and visits every other day, aided by Bajan Services, a leading Barbados real estate company located across the road who have approximately 50 employees and 27 years of experience in villa management.

All bedrooms are individually air-conditioned. Air conditioners in the bedrooms and study are quiet, split systems with remote temperature control.  There are fans in all bedrooms; the south wing bedroom and Chattel House have ceiling fans.

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.

This property is located on a half mile of pristine, sandy beach with incredible swimming and a reef at one end which is ideal for snorkelling. A large area immediately in front of the villa is roped off with buoys for safe swimming. There is a stunning new heated (at extra cost) swimming pool 50ft x 12ft x 4.5ft deep, tiled in green mosaic, near the ocean.

There are 2 phone lines and 1 fax line (dedicated), telephones in all bedrooms and a Dell unlimited broadband internet connection. Some UK/US cell phones work in Barbados. A VOIP allows free phonecalls to most landlines and to most countries.

A night watchman from a security company patrols the grounds. A digital safe is installed in each bedroom. Each bedroom has a central alarm facility connected directly to a security company and the Police.

A defibrillator and First Aid kit are available.

There is a full-time laundress 6 days a week. She will do all your personal laundry. Try to avoid bringing items that require dry cleaning. The laundry has 2 washing machines and two clothes dryers. Hand washing is possible. Normally personal laundry is returned the same day.

Barbados measures 21 x 14 miles and has a permanent population of 270,000 and is the world's second oldest parliamentary democracy. Literacy is 97% and the official language of the friendly, welcoming 'Bajans' is English. The year round temperature average is 75-85 degrees F (mid 20's C) with constant Easterly Trade Winds.

There is virtually year round sport, music and a full calendar of golf, tennis, polo, cricket, jazz, performing arts festivals such as "Holders Season", horse races, house tours, even a 'drive in' cinema and world class restaurants.

There are daily non-stop flights from the USA (US Air, Continental, American), from the UK (BA, Virgin and many charters), from Italy (Lauda) and Condor from (Frankfurt Germany)

The West Coast and so-called 'Platinum Coast' is where the best hotels, houses and swimming beaches, including Nelson Gay, are located.

Currency is the Barbados dollar, 2 BDS$ for one US$, but the USA currency is welcomed. The electrical current is 120V, 50 cycle. For further information see www.barbados.org.