Reeds House

Snorkeling before breakfast at Reeds House was an amazing way to start the day. Bring your gear: behind the house there's a beautiful stretch of coast, with a sandy, mostly rock-free beach on one side and an interesting, varied reef on the other. We saw hundreds of fish and coral, and even an eel. Our group of friends had a memorable, fun six-day April vacation, thanks in part to Alice, the villa staff, and Mark, the groundskeeper, who were wonderful. Two weeks after leaving Barbados, all we can talk about is the trip. Reeds House feels like part of the paradise that is Barbados, and I'd recommend it to anyone. My only regret is having to come home!

Mark, the groundskeeper, had our chairs and umbrella set out early each day, and he arranged transportation for us with a few drivers taking turns. We stayed in #10 during the off season, when there were maybe two other families or guests, so it was quiet and felt like we had the place to ourselves. There's a small, beautiful beach on the property where we swam and snorkeled. Alice, our cook and housekeeper, was a true gem. We had breakfast on the patio each morning with fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, onions, and toast. She also made fish or chicken with salad and vegetables for lunch, leaving it in the oven when we were out. We had an amazing time, and I can't say enough good things about the place. I'd highly recommend it for a Barbados stay.

We had a housekeeper and cook for the week as part of the fee, and almost everyone we met was friendly and helpful. The room was fantastic, with its own bathroom, ocean view, table and sitting area, and air conditioning. Walk-in closets, daily cleaning, and plenty of towels were handy. At the back of the property there's a small, lovely beach to stroll along, with lots of chairs for lounging in the sun. You can flag down the yellow bus right outside the condo complex by holding out your arm or looking toward the driver. Just remember, traffic drives on the left here. I'd come back with five others, since it sleeps six.

The people of Barbados were warm and friendly, and concierge staff and security were always around and ready to help. At 11 Reeds House Lower Carlton, Barbados, the four-story condo was spotless, with manicured grounds and a unit just as shown in the photos. Every bedroom had an ocean-facing balcony and a beautiful, clean bathroom; the linens were fresh and cool. Wisteria and trumpet flowers adorned the balconies and swimming pools in each unit. There were plenty of beach towels, some snorkeling gear, and a washer and dryer for sandy beach towels. We booked with Karen Whitaker of paradise rentals. I rate it as a five-star accommodation. One highlight was the Boatyard trip, where we swam with lots of turtles and stingrays and did a shipwreck dive. We also had Bajan chef Heather prepare a delicious, sumptuous Bajan meal at the house, with mahi-mahi, snapper, and tuna caught fresh that day. Another great outing was toThe animal flower cave in the north, with the most spectacular, breathtaking views I've ever seen.