Welcome to Nelson Gay, a stunning 9-bedroom beachfront villa full of character and history in one of the best locations in Barbados. Located on the favored and exclusive West Coast, Nelson Gay's garden gate opens straight onto a stunning crescent of perfect coral sand. The clear, sheltered water is ideal for safe swimming and snorkeling.
This elegant coral stone Palladian mansion is set in a lush tropical estate of nearly 2 acres, a property in the Grand Palladian style. Located half a mile from a stunning, pristine sandy beach, guests will surely enjoy this ideal beachfront setting. The villa has terrific lush gardens featuring a large swimming pool (heated) in the center of the garden with a pathway straight down to the beach. The villa is situated on the outskirts of Speightstown and offers a convenient location for shopping and visiting local restaurants.
Initially built in the 1950s for a US Ambassador and constructed entirely of coral stone in the grand Palladian manner, Nelson Gay retains the charm of a bygone era. Two covered terraces on the north and south wing bedrooms offer additional privacy and comfort, while the living room is open and airy with 14ft ceilings.
This family-friendly villa has numerous relaxing and dining areas and an elegant garden gazebo equipped with a wet bar. A large area immediately in front of the house is roped off with buoys for safe swimming.
The staff and villa manager at Nelson Gay are exceptional. They will ensure your every need is catered for to provide a relaxing family vacation. The villa can accommodate up to 18 by special request, making the home ideal for weddings in Barbados or multi-generational families and friends.
BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS:
The main house has five double bedrooms and a day bed in the media room. By special arrangement, one or two extra beds can be added to the media room for family use, but they must share a bathroom. In addition, there is a self-contained cottage with a king-size bed.
Also, by special arrangement, four more guests can be accommodated in the two self-contained “chattel houses,” one with a king-size bed and the other with a queen-size bed. They both have en suite bathrooms. This brings the maximum the house can sleep to 18 guests.
Bedrooms:
There are 5 double bedrooms in the main house and a day bed in the media room (which can sleep up to 3 by special arrangement). In addition, there is a self-contained cottage that sleeps 2.
Additional guests can be accommodated by special arrangements in the two self-contained Chattel Houses, bringing the maximum number of guests to 18 (see chart below).
Bathrooms:
There are 7 en suite bathrooms in the main house and the cottage (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. The cottage bathroom has a combination bath/shower. North Wing bathrooms have baths/showers. The 2 Chattel Houses have their toilets/showers. Any guests using the media room will have a shared bathroom. Each sleeping accommodation is individually air-conditioned. All air conditioners in the bedrooms and study are quiet, split systems with remote temperature control.
STAFF:
When you stay at Nelson Gay, an amazing staff team will personally care for you. You will feel welcomed and pampered throughout your stay. Core staff: Butler, Housekeeper, Maid/laundress, 2 cooks, Gardener, Night security, Part-time house manager. Staff levels vary according to season, rates, and occupancy. For groups of more than 12 people over the age of 12, an additional staff charge of $750 per week will be added to your booking.
If you decide to leave the sanctuary of Nelson Gay, you will find an incredible selection of world-class restaurants just a couple of minutes away.
Features:
Accommodation:
• Main house: 5 bedrooms, Cottage: 1 bedroom
• Garden house – Chattel Houses with king-size beds, ensuite
• Media Room with day bed
• All with A/C and en suite bath or shower
Amenities:
• Nearly two acres of mature tropical gardens right on Cobbler’s beach, with safe and excellent swimming
• 50ft x 12ft heated (on request) Italian mosaic tiled pool
• A beautiful gazebo, garden dining for 14, or as a living and seating area
• Covered terrace, dining for up to 18
• Formal dining room seating 12
• Child-friendly furniture, slip-covered in Sunbrella/cotton towels
• Medical kit
• Tennis, gym, and spa at the next-door Cobblers Cove Hotel, subject to availability and at extra cost
• As of December 2023, Nelson Gay will have a full-size pickleball court - the fastest-growing sport in America, perfect for friends and families of all ages. It’s the only privately-owned home in Barbados with such an excellent facility.
Entertainment:
• 55″ flat screen TV in Media Room with surround sound, PS3, and cable TV with multi-standard DVD player
• About 400 DVDs
• Sonos Sound System in the living room
• 42″ plasma TVs in 2 master bedrooms (cable TV + DVD)
• 32″ plasma in 3 other bedrooms (cable TV + DVD)
• DVD in 2 additional bedrooms
• Broadband, fax, 2 phone lines
• Snorkels, masks, numerous games, and a small library
Note on Rates:
Rates quoted are based on 9-bedroom occupancy for 18 guests on our website. Contact [email protected] if you require rates for a smaller number of bedrooms used.
*6 bedrooms include 5 in the main house plus the use of one guest cottage.
**7 bedrooms include 5 in the main house plus the use of one guest cottage and one chattel house.
***8 bedrooms include 5 in the main house plus the use of one guest cottage and two chattel houses.
****9 bedrooms include 5 in the main house plus the use of one guest cottage, two chattel houses, and the media room as an additional bedroom.
Rates quoted in USD per night include core staff but exclude food, and drink, a 10% Shared Economy Levy, a 2.5% service fee, and optional staff gratuities.
This villa is a beachfront home. It should be noted that beaches change their shape and size from day to day, week to week and month to month, mainly as a response to seasonal waves, currents and tides. Every effort has been made to depict the beach in front of this property, but temporary changes may occur.
Read more about Speightstown.
Nearest airport |
Grantley International Airport |
30 km |
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Nearest beach | Beach Front | 10 meters |
Nearest restaurant | speightstown | 1 km |
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Rate summary | $ 3,900 - $ 5,300 | $ 27,300 - $ 37,100 | 5 Nights | - | |
Special from $5,000 to 26-Nov-2023 - 15-Dec-2023 | $ 3,900 | 5 Nights | |||
Festive Season 2023 - Rates on Request 16-Dec-2023 - 06-Jan-2024 | Please Enquire for rates | 14 Nights | |||
Winter 2024 07-Jan-2024 - 22-Mar-2024 | $ 5,300 | 5 Nights | |||
Easter 2024 - Rates on Request 23-Mar-2024 - 06-Apr-2024 | Please Enquire for rates | 5 Nights | |||
Summer 2024 07-Apr-2024 - 22-Nov-2024 | $ 3,900 | 5 Nights | |||
Thanksgiving 2024 - Rates on Request 23-Nov-2024 - 30-Nov-2024 | Please Enquire for rates | 7 Nights | |||
Summer 2024 01-Dec-2024 - 14-Dec-2024 | $ 5,300 | 5 Nights | |||
Festive 2024 - Rates on Request 15-Dec-2024 - 04-Jan-2025 | Please Enquire for rates | 5 Nights |
RATES BASED ON FULL OCCUPANCY. FEWER OCCUPANTS WILL RESULT IN LOWER RATES. PLEASE ENQUIRE.
All prices are subject to tax at 10.00% and a Service Charge at 2.50%
We stayed here as a family of three generations. Every aspect of the visit was perfect for each generation. From the pool, to the beach, to the luxury of the accommodations, the meals, and the excellent indulging staff all were satisfied. The villa is a classic historical modernized villa with all the amenities one could wish for. The beach was great for the little ones as it was very calm. There were coral reefs about a 100 yards out that provided snorkeling excitement--sea turtles and tropical fish. Every need was taken care of. I think our parting words with one of the staff summed up the attention we were given. As we were packing to leave, one of the staff asked us if we had any dirty clothes to be washed before we left. We replied that we could wait until we arrived home. Her reply "no one leaves Nelson Gay with dirty clothes".
We have been to Barbados several times, and Nelson Gay House is the most wonderful place to stay. We took our adult children and their significant others, we didn't need all the bedrooms, but could see how many more people could be accommodated. Everything desired was available, from the use of tennis courts, spa, and water sports next door through Cobblers Cove, to the absolute privacy of the property for relaxing, to the proximity of Speightstown, and the accessibility of the water right out the gate. Some homes have wonderful views but no access! This home has both. The breakers afforded a place to snorkel, and for two days there were high enough waves to boogie board without fear of a rocky bottom. The staff was supremely professional. The chef did the shopping and prepared three meals a day, not the usual two we've been offered in the past. The laundry was done daily with our clothes brought back early each afternoon. The butler had coffee ready every afternoon at 4:00. The monkeys came and went, and we fed them only on the last morning, I recommend feeding them the first day! They are adorable and keep their distance. The landscaping is incredible as well. Banana and mango trees, breadfruit, even a sandbox tree. The bedrooms are comfortable and inviting. The formal dining room is exquisite, we only used it on Valentine's Day for two, by candlelight, after sending the kids out to Cin Cin! The house has the feel of a loved home, not just a rental house. There are games and snorkeling equipment, books and a Sonos system for music. You will never want to leave. We didn't!
There were 16 of us plus an infant. Our visit to Nelson Gay was exquisite! The staff were all phenomenal and attended to our every need. The food was excellent, the accommodations were excellent, and the weather was perfect. We loved swimming in both the pool and ocean. Snorkeling was terrific and the local monkeys provided entertainment. We all would recommend Nelson Gay for anyone looking for a get-away vacation. Thanks again for providing such lasting memories from all of us. BEST VACATION EVER!!!
We were made to feel at home from the moment we walked in. Great people keeping the grounds and living quarters in an impeccable manner. Cooks who plan menus with the guests and then proceed to buy whatever is needed, including the wines and spirits. In short, we were treated royally.
We were treated so well by the staff that the vacation would be amiss without mentioning them. Every need was taken care of without ever having to ask.
The setting of the villa is spectacular. It is on a calm beach and has a spectacular pool. Watching Sunset every night with cocktails is heaven on earth. The food was made fresh for each meal exceeded our expectations.
Excellent villa! Very charming rooms, great pool, beautiful gardens, walk onto superb beach! Best part (although difficult to top the property itself) were the staff & the truly outstanding food!
This is the third year running we have visited Nelson Gay for spring half term, and each year it spins it's magic on us. We love the laid back style, the friendly staff, and the great food.
The best thing is probably the staff who manage to keep that fine balance between staying out of the way, allowing you some privacy, and being on hand whenever you need them.
Our team know each destination and every villa we feature.
We also offer a personalized and fully complimentary concierge service so every part of your trip will be taken care of ensuring you have a hassle free vacation.
We look forward to hearing from you.