Low Rise Studio Apartment Next to Discovery Bay
Quiet Location, Tropical Gardens, Next to Beach, Close to All Amenities
Sleeps 2 (studio apartment, no separate bedroom)
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This comfortable, self-catering studio apartment is in one of three low-rise buildings owned by a mix of couples and located on the west coast of the island. A 30-second stroll takes you through the colourful tropical gardens of the property to the calm waters of the west coast. Discovery Bay beach on one side and Settler's beach on the other. Folkestone Marine Park, with excellent snorkeling around the inshore reef, can be reached after a short walk north along the beach. Waters sports rentals are available nearby and golf is a short drive away. Art Studios are located just a 5-10 minute walk north of Holetown, which offers numerous restaurants (find dining and fast food), shops, a supermarket, post office and banks, sports bar, and car rental. There is a good bus service along the coast, or if you rent a car it can be parked in the grounds. A daily maid service is provided and our friendly staff are always ready to chat or to give information about the island.
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| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 4 January 2012 - 20 April 2012 | £475 | 4 | ||
| 21 April 2012 - 30 September 2012 | £350 | 4 | ||
| 1 October 2012 - 15 December 2012 | £400 | 4 | ||
| 16 December 2012 - 20 April 2013 | £490 | 4 |
Notes on prices
Prices are for the property per week in UK pounds.
There will be a small extra charge for a third occupant over the age of 6 years.
Changeover day
Changeover days are flexible.
Accommodation
| Bedrooms: | Extra large double bed, which may be configured as 2 twin beds, 2 bedside tables. A small folding bed for a small child can be provided. Studio apartment, i.e. no separate sleeping area. |
| Bathrooms: | Bathroom with large tiled walk-in shower, WC, hairdryer. |
| Kitchen: | Includes 4-burner cooker, fridge/freezer, microwave, toaster, blender, cafetiere, coffee maker, pans and bakeware, glassware, dishes and cutlery, iron and ironing board. |
| Living Rooms: | 2 easy chairs, dining table and chairs, books/games, TV/DVD, radio/CD player (can also play MP3s). Electrical outlets are N. American 120 volts plus one UK-style 240 v outlet. 2 fans cool the room. A combination safe is provided in the apartment. |
| Other: | The patio looks out over the gardens and has a dining table, chairs and a lounger. |
| Cleaning/towels/ linen/maid service: |
There is daily maid service. Towels and bed linens are included and changed every 3 days. 2 beach towels may be rented at a low cost. |
| Amenities/Facilities: | hob/stove oven fridge/freezer microwave iron/ironing board tv telephone internet access room fans cot barbecue |
| Location Type: |
Notes on accommodation
Audrey is the housekeeper, and Harry maintains the buildings and the gardens. If you feel like "eating in" without the hassle of cooking, Harry will also deliver a delicious Bajan meal, prepared by his wife, for a reasonable price. There is a clothesline at the back of the studios. If you have a lot of washing that needs to be done, Audrey can usually do a load for you at a cost of $20. If required, Audrey will make sure there are a few groceries ready for your arrival (basics such as milk, bread, eggs), for which you may pay her on the following day. We have a small "library" of paperback books if your reading material needs topping up, as well as a few games to keep your minds active! Free, wireless broadband internet service is provided. The patio looks out onto the gardens, so you may enjoy a drink while watching for the occasional mongoose or green monkey.
Outside
The barbecue is located in the grounds and is for general use. As well as the plentiful loungers in the gardens (which may be borrowed and taken to the beach, if returned), there is a seating area where guests may meet up for a chat and a drink. Although the property does not have its own pool, Discovery Bay Hotel, next door, allows its pool to be used for a fee. The small animals you may see scurrying out of your way are mongooses, originally brought to the island to keep down the rodent population, which attacked the sugar cane.
Coast/Beach
The sandy beaches are beautiful and calm on the west coast and all are open to the public. It takes about 30 seconds to walk through the gardens to the beach. There are plenty of opportunities for snorkelling and other watersports. Folkestone Marine Park, with an inshore reef, is a short walk along the beach and is especially good for snorkelling.
Golf
There are numerous golf courses on the island. The nearest to the studio is the Sandy Lane course, about 2 miles away.
Travel
There is one airport on the island, and it is a 30-45 minute drive away, depending on the time of day. A taxi costs about 70 Barbadan dollars. Car hire is not necessary, as there is a good bus service along the west and south coasts, but if you wish to explore further inland and to the east coast, and see as many of the sights as possible then car rental for a few days might be a good idea.
Distances
Holetown is the nearest town, about a 5-10 minute walk away. Bridgetown is in the south west of the island and is about a 20 minute journey on the bus. The south coast has many hotels, bars, and restaurants and is well known for its night life. The east coast is rugged and wild with spectacular scenery and virtually no commercial development, well worth a long walk along the sands and rock pools (swimming not advised). The island is small and so there are no long-distance trips.
Further details
The parish of St. James, where Art Studios are located, has great historic significance, as it was here that the first British settlers landed in 1625. Under the authority of King James, the British claimed Barbados upon landing in St. James' present-day city of Holetown (formerly Jamestown, named after the King himself). St. James parish church is the oldest Anglican church on the island, the original wooden structure (no longer standing) having been built in 1628.
Barbados has so many interesting places to explore. There is a wildlife reserve in the north of the island, botanical gardens on the east coast, Harrison's cave in the centre with an impressive display of stalactites and stalagmites, plantation houses, art galleries and craft studios, the largest military garrison in the Caribbean, a retired Concorde (which can be toured), rum distillery tours, catamaran snorkeling trips. . . the list goes on.
Holetown has a Cave Shepherd (locally made goods, duty-free shopping) plus small gift shops, and Bridgetown offers a wide selection of stores, large and small.
Booking notes
A 25% deposit is required at the time of booking, the balance to be paid 2 months before the date of arrival. Payment may be made by cheque or by electronic transfer of the money from bank to bank.
Guest comments
"The apartment has everything you could reasonably want and dear Audrey keeps it spotlessly clean and ship-shape. The grounds are a pleasure to sit out in and Harry is a positive mine of information when it comes to the local flora and fauna. This unit is just a moment away from the beach with easy walking and snorkelling to both the north and south. . . If you want a quiet relaxing time then get yourselves down to # 5 Art Studios, the only problem you will have is leaving there as after a week Audrey and Harry will make you feel part of their respective families. Lovely people. Lovely Place. Thank you Marion and Steve for sharing your little bit of Heaven with us."
"If you are looking for a very low-key, relaxing holiday this is the place. We will definitely return to Steve & Marion's wonderful space."
Owner profile
About the owner
Steve and I (Marion) are originally from the north of England but have been happily settled in Canada for the past 28 years. Our home is in a village about 25 miles out of Ottawa, and we have lived there since 1982. Our son and daughter have flown the nest now, but we still have Roxy, our golden retriever, with us.
Steve is a computer consultant and I am a medical/scientific editor/writer; we both work freelance, in my case mainly on contracts with government departments.
It was when the children were much smaller that we first visited Barbados and immediately loved the place. At that time we stayed on the south coast, which is a very lively part of the island, but later visits have involved stays at Sunset Crest and then Art Studios.
Year purchased: 2006
Why the owner chose an apartment in this location
During a delightful stay at these condominiums one winter we heard that apartment no. 5 was for sale. We decided there and then that it would be the perfect spot to escape the harsh Canadian winters when we retired, and so we started the process of buying it. Unfortunately, retirement keeps getting put further back, but we manage to visit once a year and come back renewed and ready to cope with –25 degree temperatures.
Art Studios is less than a minute's walk away from the beach and five minutes from Holetown, so we enjoy easy access to safe swimming on the one hand and shops/restaurants on the other. If we decide not to rent a car that's okay because the main bus route to Bridgetown (to the south) and the rest of the west coast (to the north) is very close.
Unique benefits of the property
We particularly like the peaceful location, absolutely gorgeous gardens, and closeness of the beach. But what's really nice about being at Art Studios is that everyone, guests and owners alike, are so friendly. You only need to take your drink into the gardens (or to the steps by the sea, at sunset) to strike up a conversation and, who knows, a friendship with other people staying there.
Barbados is a holiday island that has so much to offer: beautiful warm weather, friendly residents, lovely beaches, water sports/golf/tennis, many places of interest, and safe atmosphere. Art Studios is within easy access of all of these and offers very comfortable accommodation at reasonable rates.
For booking and further information
Property Ref CB196
Marion and Steve Pogson
Tel: (Canada) +1 613-839-1615
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This advertiser joined Owners Direct in November 2007,
and has advertised this property with us since November 2007.
Property Ref CB196
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