Legend Garden Condos

Legend Garden Condos is nestled in a private three-and-a-half-acre pocket of what once belonged to a 350-year-old sugar plantation. Its driveway entrance sits right opposite gorgeous Mullins Beach -- a small postcard-worthy stretch of white sand, aqua water, and chilled out, sunbathing tourists. Soaring palms and lush greenery line Legend’s driveway. The guest rooms are set in two separate dwellings, amid established garden surrounds with huge frangipani, bay leaf, and poinciana trees providing nature views from all of the rooms. There are plenty of spots to sit in serenity, and playful monkeys often pay a visit. There’s also a grand main house where guests check-in, and where husband and wife owners, Delia and Bird, reside with their two kids. The hosts welcome guests like old friends, and add a genuinely warm, personal touch to the vacation experience. With its mildly eccentric rooms, small-scale intimacy, and wonderful on-site hosts, Legend Garden Condos is a laid-back home-away-from-home that’s full of warmth, character, and memorable quirks that bring back many return guests -- but luxury seekers and party animals might want to look elsewhere. 

Legend Garden Condos is located on the north west coast of Barbados, about 40 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport. The property occupies a private street pocket, and it’s about a two-minute walk down its driveway to the main coastal road and beautiful Mullins Beach. Here, deck chairs and water sports are available through outside vendors, and a popular restaurant and bar sit right over the water. It’s an 11-minute walk (or four-minute drive) to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, a seven-minute drive to Speightstown, and a 12-minute drive to Holetown, where general services, shopping, and supermarkets are in abundance. A five-minute walk takes guests to the local bus stop, providing regular services up and down the coast -- for minimal cost. It’s about a five-minute walk to a gas station that doubles as a decent convenience store, and a number of eateries are also within walking distance. Legend Garden Condos can arrange transportation to and from the airport, and parking is available on-site for those traveling by car. It’s easy to drive past the property entrance if travelers don’t know the area, so it may make sense to call ahead for landmarks. 

With whimsical color themes, each of the property’s 10 units (studios and one-bedrooms) have their own vibrant persona. Purple, peach, blue, and green (aka “The Forest Room”) are some of the choices on offer, and they’ve all got a charismatic homeyness, with swinging or papasan chairs and fun tropical artworks. The decor is a bit dated, however, and will not suit all tastes.All rooms have comfortable sitting areas, TVs (either flat-screen or tube) with local channels, telephones, and spacious sheltered patios with garden vistas. All also have ceiling fans and air-conditioning, although some ACs are only enabled to work from early evening until late morning. Kitchens are a good size and fully equipped with everything required to comfortably self cater, including gas stoves, large refrigerators, kettles, coffeemakers, toasters, and microwaves, along with the usual kitchenware necessities. Some units feature separate spacious dressing areas, and bathrooms vary in size and have either shower/tub combos, or just showers, as well as bars of soap. Light sleepers should enjoy it here (night time is silent), and it’s not unusual to hear monkeys frolicking in nearby trees come early morning. Hairdryers and irons are available on request. 

As a smaller, homey beach property, Legend doesn't have the sweeping list of features of area resorts, but what it does offer is intimacy and personalization. The outdoor pool is a large residential size with poolside seating and sunbeds. Although there's no on-site restaurant, there are eateries and a popular beach bar within walking distance, and of course, full kitchens in the units provide the luxury to self cater. The property offers a communal barbecue area and a gazebo set amid the gardens, and plenty of space to spread out, sit, and unwind across the grounds. Below the main house, a large cavernous event area framed by lush nature views is an enchanting setting that attracts private functions -- especially intimate wedding receptions and local parties. Host owners, Delia and Bird, are known for offering to include guests in fun local outings that aren't on the tourist trail, like the drive-in or a boat trip. (Participating is entirely optional.) The pair is a wealth of local knowledge, and will happily help guests put together a program for exploring the island. A housekeeping service is provided twice per week, and other services on offer (at additional costs) include airport transportation, car rentals, laundry, massage, spa services (off-site), and babysitting. There’s a safe in the reception area of the main house. Free Wi-Fi is provided.