Tent Bay, St. Joseph, Bathsheba, Barbados | (618) 248-8274
Plantation-style home with chic island style
Five-minute walk to the coast for prime surfing
Lovely rooms have quality furnishings and mini-fridges (three have a full kitchen; six have kitchenettes)
Shared front porch (one on both floors) facing the ocean
Breakfast served daily; three-course dinners served five nights a week
Loungers and hammocks on grounds
Honesty bar with reasonable prices
Nature in the form of hiking trails, exotic birds, and green monkeys
Free Wi-Fi (though spotty)
Beaches in this area are typically too rough for swimming
No outdoor pool
Lunch only served on days
Noise can travel in this wooden house
Lots of steps could pose problem for guests with mobility issues
Far from the tourist crowds is this mid-range, 10-room guest house, situated in the lesser developed east coast of Barbados. The historic plantation-style home oozes with charm, from the rooms' floor-to-ceiling wood and louvered windows to the bright tropical decor and shared front porch. The grounds, though hilly, have sun loungers and hammocks facing an unspoiled ocean view. Within walking distance are photogenic beaches, tidal pools, and some of the best surf spots in the Caribbean -- along with a few restaurants, though not much in the way of nightlife. Those who want access to an outdoor pool should check out neighboring Atlantis Hotel, though rates will be higher.
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Scene
Mostly surfers and laid-back couples frequent this lovely guest house
The south and west coasts of Barbados are known for their large resorts, white-sand beaches, and tourist-friendly amenities, while the east coast is somewhat of a secret gem in comparison, featuring rugged, rocky beaches and fewer travelers. ECO Lifestyle & Lodge occupies the latter, attracting surfers and laid-back couples who prefer a peaceful setting and killer waves. The traditional Bajan design utilizes lots of wood and chic tropical decor for a breezy, attractive effect.
The property consists of a reception area, the main house with furnished porches, a cottage, an outdoor dining room, and sloping green lawn that faces the ocean and is dotted with a few hammocks and lounge chairs. Guests typically spend their days outside of the property, as there's little to do besides enjoy the views or eat one of the meals offered in the wooden gazebo. Travelers simply seeking a quiet retreat within earshot of crashing waves will likely find this property fits the bill.
Location
Near the authentic village of Bathsheba, a 40-minute bus ride from the capital of Bridgetown
ECO Lifestyle & Lodge has a unique location overlooking large boulders and huge waves. This surfers' paradise is quite hilly, and a vehicle is needed to get to most island attractions. It’s a 35-minute drive to Grantley Adams International Airport, and a five-minute drive to Soup Bowl -- one of the best surf spots in the Caribbean. Many choose to rent a car, though area taxis can be arranged through a staff member at reception. For more adventurous types, public transportation is efficient in Barbados, and regular buses (every half hour or so) stop close to ECO Lifestyle & Lodge, coming from the capital of Bridgetown and requiring a nominal $1 fee.
The actual village of Bathsheba has a few casual restaurants, rum bars, and shops selling the basics. The area is also known for Chattel Houses, small wooden homes that are not allowed to get higher than two stories.
Rooms
Individually decorated rooms have charming decor and eco-friendly touches
This small eco-friendly property is built into the landscape using as many natural and local materials as possible. There are two sections: the Main House (seven rooms) and The Cottage (three rooms), which sits farther downhill accessed via a stone walking path. Each unit has a slightly different look and layout, though all have a charming, contemporary style that includes wooden floors (and sometimes walls and ceilings) and wooden furnishings. Also standard are ceiling fans, mini-fridges, safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, hand-crafted pottery, wraps for the beach, and mosquito nets over the beds. Decent-sized bathrooms have showers and organic toiletries. Just the Cottage rooms have air-conditioning.
Rooms in the Main House have shuttered French doors that lead to the shared front porch (one on each level). Each room has two Adirondack chairs, while the units on each end also have a hammock. Most rooms -- except for two -- have a separate sitting area, bar tables with stools, and a kitchenette stocked with basic dishes and cutlery. Rooms on higher floors experience less noise from neighbors and have better views, though understandably, these are a bit more expensive. The two cottage units offer more space and privacy.
Features
No pool on-site, but excellent surf spots and hiking trails within walking distance
There are next to no amenities offered at the hotel, but there are plenty of water-centric destinations within easy reach. This area is known for big waves, rocky vistas, and bright tropical vegetation -- housing exotic birds and the occasional green monkey. World-class surfing, such as Soup Bowl and Parlors, are both a short drive away. (Pro surfer Kelly Slater is famous for calling Soup Bowl “one of the top three waves in the world.”) Most beaches nearby are best suited for experienced surfers, but the staff can point out nearby natural dipping pools that are safe for swimming.
ECO Lifestyle & Lodge has a gazebo next to the main building for outdoor dining; it has little in the way of atmosphere, but from the wooden tables and chairs, the ocean can be spotted through palm trees. The property offers a bed-and-breakfast package, which includes homemade banana and coconut breads, toast (bran and whole wheat), cereal, pancakes, fresh fruit, yogurt, coffee, tea, and juice. A server also comes around to offer eggs (made-to-order) and bacon. Five nights a week, the hotel hosts a three-course dinner for a reasonable price (vegetarian options are available). Also available is an honesty bar stocked with non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, which are added to the bill at check-out.
Laundry service is available for a fee. Free Wi-Fi is spotty in certain areas, and guests will need to sign in every few hours.
