Holetown holiday house: St. James

I stayed at Halcyon Heights after scouting for properties on this site. I was not disappointed and would love to return to the house, if revisiting Barbados. It was all I anticipated from the descriptions offered by the owners - and more!

We had 5 of us staying, but there is room enough for at least 6. The house is ideally situated and is a short walk down to the beach at Discovery Bay - a beach that is a great starting-point for the best coastline of Barbados. (To cure jetlag on arriving I'd strongly recommend taking an early morning stroll to Paynes Bay at sunrise!)

The house is very spacious, clean, quiet and has everything you need to relax. The furniture has been carefully selected and fits in with the relaxing feel of the house which - although new and pristine - retains such a warm, peaceful atmosphere. The fact that the property is at the end of a cul-de-sac (in one of Holetown's plushest areas) means no interruptions.

Though the local shops and bars are within walking distance I'd strongly suggest hiring a car - I too benefited from the owners recommendation - because there is so much to see on this island. Harrison's Cove and the Animal Flower Cave are must-see places and Bathsheba is not far away. But if you're on foot, there is also a good night to be had in Holetown. (The karaoke at the One Love Bar is a blast!)

The best I can say about the house is that it's hard to leave, even with the beach so close. (We actually enjoyed spending a few nights in!) The kitchen is huge and perfect to cook for a family. The bedrooms too are excellently looked after and there is a maid on hand who was very attentive when we met her. She advised us to visit Oistins - where the fish is delicious.

I have already recommended this house to a few friends and am hoping to return to stay in 2008. Being on the island is instantly restorative and there is a lot to do for children and adults. My youngest learnt to surfboard in a week, which gave my wife and I plenty of time to visit Bridgetown (head for the market stalls).

Essentially, If you're visiting the Caribbean, you'd be pushed to find somewhere better to base yourself than Halcyon Heights. Looking at the house again brings back fond memories and makes me want to return!

I stayed with friends in Halcyon Heights in April 08 and can say with certainty that I did not want to return home!

The house and garden were immaculate upon arrival, everything appears new and as if you are the first guests to ever use the accommodation. The house was extremely spacious, the décor stylish and comfortable, I had some of the best night’s sleep I have had in a long time at Halcyon Heights.

The service received from the housekeeper was impeccable and it was so lovely to return to a clean house at the end of a lazy day.

The house really caters for all imaginable needs. We cooked many times during our stay and the kitchen has all the home comforts you would need to allow for this, the patio area is ideal for alfresco dining. In addition, you hear almost no surrounding noise from the accommodation and this adds to the tranquillity.

The surrounding west coast area is beautiful and the locals truly cannot help you enough. The house is very central to local beaches, hotels, numerous bars and restaurants. The local supermarket and shops at Holetown are conveniently located only a couple of minutes drive from the house, and we even saw Cliff Richard leaving the supermarket!

We rented a car via the owners and this was really such an easy and practical option for us, we were able to see a great deal of the island and visited scores of beaches along the coast.

I would love to go back to Halcyon Heights again and it is most definitely good value for money. I will be recommending it to friends and family.