Luxurious 10,000 Sq Ft Estate in the Heart of St Vincent and the Grenadines - Spring House Bequia
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Rental Overview |
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| Wheelchair Accessible : Yes |
Smoking : Yes |
Pets : No |
| 6+ Bedroom(s) |
6+ Bathroom(s) |
Sleeps 12 |
| Square Footage of Rental: 10,000 sq. ft |
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Weekly Rates from 1610 to 15960 USD
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Property Information |
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Spring House is an exclusive villa like no other, centrally located on the charming Caribbean island of Bequia (pronounced Beck-way), in the heart of St Vincent and the Grenadines. If you’re looking for peace, tranquility, good food, wonderful beaches and a calm and friendly atmosphere, this really is the paradise so often sought but rarely found — “the island that tourism forgot”.
Set in two acres of private grounds, Spring House is situated on the Spring Estate, just above the Firefly Bequia Hotel. Its quiet hill-top location benefits from cooling trade winds and stunning views of the coconut plantations, Spring Bay and the islands beyond. The hustle and bustle of the main harbour and yachting centre, Port Elizabeth, is just six minutes away and offers a wide variety of shops, bars, restaurants and activities.
Spring House was designed by Caribbean architect Michael Connell, and its elegant Georgian style reflects a period when charm and beauty were of paramount importance.
Built and furnished by local craftsmen, featuring local artists’ original work, and managed by a professionally trained chef and hotel manager, Spring House caters for up to 12 guests; guests who are accustomed to the finest vacation experience and who value the sanctity of their own private home away from home.
At Spring House we want you and your family and friends to have the holiday or vacation that best suits both your needs and your budget. For some, this means a basic, self-catering, villa rental package with limited extra services. For others, this mean an all-inclusive luxury package with every need, thought and desire taken care of from the moment you step off your international flight.
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| Additional Rate Information - | Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice. |
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Rates from as low as US $115 per person per night.
Rates: 11/25-11/30,12/15-12/30,1/6-4/15 $7700.00 $1100.00
4/16-4/30,11/1-11/17,12/1-12/1 $6440.00 $920.00
5/1-10/31 $5180.00 $740.00
11/18-11/24,12/22-1/5 $11200.00 $1600.00
Spring House is an exclusive, 10,000 sq. ft. luxury villa on the Caribbean
island of Bequia in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Set in two acres of
private grounds it is more of a resort than just a private villa. Up to 12
guests can be accommodated in 6+ air-conditioned suites with 4 poster beds,
40ft pool, full staff and much, much, more. Perfect for large groups or
weddings. Choose our all-inclusive rate plan that covers everything you
might want including onward flights, jeeps, meals and open bar or set your
own pace with our standard rate plan. Disabled access and child friendly.
Rates based on 4 people staying under our Standard Rate Plan. Check our
website for a full listing of rate plans and inclusions as well as extensive
information about the house and Bequia. Local telephone numbers: Bequia
784-483-0381, UK 0207-099-6983, USA 617-275-4820
When you look at what is included in the price of your holiday with us, you’ll find that you can enjoy the tranquil, exclusive facilities of Spring House for less than it would cost to stay in a hotel.
Make this a true vacation for everyone and forget about food shopping, lugging groceries to the house, preparing, serving and cleaning up. Let us do all this for you, while you get on with the more important things, like having the holiday of a lifetime.
When you choose our Standard Rate Plan, you will still enjoy the exclusivity of your own private six-bedroom resort with a full range of features, while benefiting from the savings of providing your own meals, drinks, tours and flight arrangements.
When you choose our All-Inclusive Rate Plan we will do everything we can to make your holiday as relaxing and stress-free as possible. From the moment you decide that Spring House is the place for your vacation all you have to do is book your international flight to Barbados or San Juan, and then leave the rest to us. Onward flights to/from Bequia or St Vincent are included, as are airport or ferry transfers, rental jeeps, a full staff including cook, maid, housekeeper, laundress, caretaker/gardener and more. We’ve included a meal plan that features an arrival “Welcome Dinner”, breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, cocktail hour and late-night snacks every day, as well as an open bar. Or take a picnic lunch for your beach or day trip, if you prefer.
For dinner, we invite you to sample some of the 25 or more fine restaurants on our island where you can enjoy the nightlife and make new friends.
Meals & Services
For many of our guests the true meaning of a vacation is time away from the everyday meal-related chores of shopping, cooking, serving and clearing up. If this sounds like you, then why not consider our All-Inclusive Plan with breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and late night snacks prepared and served by our chef and her staff. A Welcome Dinner is served upon arrival, then we invite you to go out in the evenings and experience some of the 25 restaurants that we have on our island. Many have special nights, music and other festivities, and you can meet locals and other visitors enjoying life on beautiful Bequia.
Our All-Inclusive Meal Plan also provides a 24-hour open bar at Spring House. A group of eight people will easily consume 8 or more drinks each per day in our warm weather, which translates into an astounding 448+ drinks per week or 19 cases of beer, soft drinks and mixers. A full description of our meal plan and services is provided below, and a full description of all the services that we provide is on the Rates & Inclusions page.
If you would prefer our Standard Rate Plan, we are happy to provide you with a Welcome Dinner and First Morning Breakfast to help you get settled in before you provision the villa. Some local supermarkets will fill and deliver a provision list that you provide in advance for a small fee.
How To Get Here:
Bequia island can be reached from Europe, the USA, and Canada via one of six Caribbean gateways: Barbados, St Lucia, Martinique, Grenada, Puerto Rico and Trinidad. Barbados provides more daily connecting flights to Bequia and St Vincent than any other gateway airport.
From the UK, Europe or North America, you might find it easiest to take a direct or connecting flight to Barbados, and then a connection by air for the 45 minute flight to Bequia. Flights to Bequia are made with SVG Air, part of the Grenadine Air Alliance. Alternatively, you can fly onward from Barbados to St Vincent with either LIAT or Caribbean Star. Flights are less than 45 minutes. From St Vincent it is only an hour’s ferry ride to Bequia. Take us up on our offer of a private charter.
Another convenient gateway from North America is San Juan, Puerto Rico. LIAT operates flights direct to St Vincent. Once again, it is only an hour’s ferry ride to Bequia.
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| Property Amenities |
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- Air Conditioning
| - Balcony
| - Beach Access
| - Beach Chairs
| - Beach Towels
| - Beach Umbrella
| - Ceiling Fan(s)
| - Cook
| - Deck
| - Housekeeper
| - Linens Provided
| - Mountain View
| - Ocean View
| - Patio
| - Porch/Lanai
| - Tile Floors
| - Wood Floors
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- Blender
| - Coffee Maker
| - Dishwasher
| - Dryer
| - Filtered Water/Ice
| - Food Processor
| - Full Refrigerator
| - Grill/BBQ
| - Hair Dryer
| - Ice Maker
| - Iron
| - Ironing Board
| - Microwave
| - Stove
| - Toaster
| - Washer
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- Adventure Packages
| - Basketball Court Onsite
| - Biking Nearby
| - Boating
| - Canoeing Nearby
| - Deep Sea Fishing
| - Fishing Nearby
| - Games/Toys for Kids
| - Golf Nearby
| - Group & Reunion Rental (family, retreat, & reunions)
| - Hiking Nearby
| - Honeymoon
| - Kayaking
| - Mountain Biking
| - Pool (Private)
| - Restaurant Nearby
| - Sailing
| - SCUBA Diving Nearby
| - Shopping
| - Shuffleboard Onsite
| - Spa
| - State/National Park Nearby
| - Surfing
| - Swimming
| - Tennis Nearby
| - Weddings
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- Airport Transportation
| - Covered Parking/Garage
| - Reserved Parking
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Spring House’s distinctive architectural style offers a quiet, sophisticated charm and elegance. With over 10,000 sq.ft / 1,000 sq.m. of space, members of a family or group can enjoy sharing a private villa without living in each other’s pockets all the time. It is furnished to the highest level, including the use of many locally hand-crafted pieces. As well as all the usual conveniences one would expect, we have discreetly included modern technologies such as ultra-quiet air-conditioning, plasma TVs, iPod docking stations and hairdryers.
Main Level features: Private swimming pool (40ft / 12.2m), gazebo and pool bar including fully stocked beverage cooler, TV and sound system. Separate lounge with 32in (81.3cm) plasma television with 50+ channels, DVD player, video game connections and stereo system. Large 12-seat dining room. Breakfast patio. Semi-formal tropically furnished drawing room, with covered wrap-around mahogany verandah featuring extensive wicker seating and casual dining area. Fully applianced kitchen. Barbecue, table-tennis table, secluded garden patios, basketball and badminton court. Tennis court available nearby. Handicapped ramp from main level to swimming pool deck.
Accommodation features: Six air-conditioned suites, with another bedroom and bathroom (disabled access) available by prior arrangement. Child facilities (cots, cribs, highchairs, etc also available). The bedroom suites are generously sized with plenty of storage space, and enjoy spectacular ocean views from their verandahs. Tropical sunshine floods each room, with louvered hardwood doors offering shade and a pleasant through breeze just right for an afternoon nap. The crisp white linen and swathes of fabric adorning each four-poster bed give an exotic feel to the rooms, providing you with the perfect setting to unwind and relax. The large bathrooms feature individually designed mosaics, by a prominent local artist, depicting flora and fauna native to Bequia.
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| Property Activities |
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Nearby Activities
Nothing! You never get to do this at home so give it a try here. Read a book, relax by the pool, don't feel guilty if you don't get to see and do everything. Especially true for busy homemakers who could use a break from all the daily chores of running a household or managing a family.
Beaches: The island may be small, however one can be spoilt for choice when it comes to the number and variety of beaches. Bequia offers crystal clear waters and is also perfect for sports diving and snorkeling. Lower Bay and Princess Margaret Beach, rated one of the 10 best beaches in the world, offer white sands and calm waters. Friendship Bay has stronger waves and is ideal for windsurfers. Industry, Hope and Spring are on the east side and are more remote but almost always deserted. For more information on Bequia's beaches, see our Beaches page.
Island Tour: A perfect way to discover Bequia is on an island tour. Visit the Turtle Sanctuary, the Whaling Museum, and the Old Fort cannon station at the mouth of the harbour. See the remains of Sir Francis Drake's office when he was stationed on Bequia. Take a look at all of the white sandy beaches and stop for lunch at a ocean side cafe. Visit a pottery built into the ruins of one of the island's historic sugar plantations. Most open backed taxi drivers will be proud to show you their island and entertain you with their stories and narrative at the same time.
Windsurfing and Kayaking: Bequia offers several protected beaches perfect for beginners to learn the basics, as well as fun and challenging locations for those with experience. Admiralty Bay is a good place to start discovering an abundance of water sport activities. Friendship Bay has the ideal combination of wind and waves for windsurfing. Spring House has two kayaks available for guests to use.
Boat Trips: No trip to Bequia is complete without a sail on The Friendship Rose, a wooden schooner built in Friendship Bay. The Friendship Rose was originally commissioned in 1967 and has served the islands as a cargo boat, mail boat and ferry. Today it operates as a tourist boat based in Bequia with daily trips to the Tobago Cays as well as other southern islands.
You can also charter your own powerboat for the day for outings to remote island beaches, Mustique, the leeward coast of St. Vincent to see the "Pirates" cove, or anywhere you choose. See our Useful Links page for tour operators.
Yacht Charters: Bequia is the sailing capital of the Grenadines and there is no better place to arrange a sailing charter than right here. Whether it's crewed or bareboat, a day sail or a weeklong charter, economy or luxury, there is something for every taste and budget. For something different why not integrate a few days aboard a charter yacht into your vacation and visit the other Grenadine islands of Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union, Palm, Petit St Vincent or the famous Tobago Cays.
Snorkelling / Scuba: Bequia diving ranks with the best in the Caribbean. There are some 35 excellent dive sites around Bequia and the nearby islands. Full PADI-certified dive shops and dive masters are available. A great place to get open water dive certified during your visit, at considerably less cost. With water temperatures averaging 80°F / 27°C, the diving is comfortable and only a lightweight wetsuit is needed. Dive shops include all the equipment that you will need. See our Useful Links page for more information.
Hiking and Walking: Perhaps the best way to really get to know Bequia and its hidden treasures is on foot. Early morning or late evening is the ideal time of day to avoid the heat — but whenever you go, remember to take water, a hat, sunscreen and your cell phone in case you get lost! Just exploring the winding roads on Bequia can be a revelation, but there are also smaller trails and disused roads to take you deep into the heart of the island. See the Bequia Tourism Association’s Tours & Hiking page.
Fishing: No licence is required when fishing for pleasure. Sport fishing is a popular pastime and Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, Marlin, Tuna, Bonito and Kingfish are just some of the many varieties available, often simply a line and lure. It is also possible to try reef fishing – hand lining and trolling are the only methods of fishing permitted to visitors and catches are restricted to only enough for your personal use. Several local tour operators can arrange deep-sea fishing trips and provide everything from the bait to the rum punch to celebrate your catch. See our Useful Links page for more information.
Tennis: There are several tennis courts on Bequia where you can usually play with prior arrangement. Bring your own equipment or Spring House has a limited supply that you can use. Location of tennis courts:
Frangipani Hotel, Belmont Walkway: (784) 458 3255
Friendship Bay Hotel, Friendship Bay: (784) 458 3222
Plantation House Hotel, Belmont Beach: (784) 458 3425
Hotel Bequia, Spring: (784) 458 3414
Geocaching: If you know what this is then you may be surprised to learn that there are a few geocache locations on Bequia. Seek them out and leave your token, or start your own cache. For more information, check out the worldwide geocaching website The Global GPS Cache Hunt Site, or use this quicklink.
Evening Activities: When the sun goes down, the focus turns to the many fine restaurants and bars on Bequia. Each evening of the week different restaurants hold special activities or live music. Among the most well known is the Thursday evening "Jump Up" at the Frangipani Hotel in Port Elizabeth. This beachfront BBQ and buffet featuring excellent food and a lively steel band is a local institution. Consult our Restaurant Guide or ask our Housekeeper for recommendations when you are ready to hit the town.
There are a number of good Bequia bands like Phoenix, Upbeat, Farine, Elite Steel Band and the local string band “J.Gool & De Buccaneers”, who perform at various venues around the island almost every week. Check "Bequia This Week", an informative weekly newsletter distributed island-wide, for up-to-date information on day and night time activities.
Arts & Crafts
Local Artists: Visitors to Bequia may be surprised to find such a vide variety of locals arts and crafts on such a small island. There are several artists located around the island engaging in media as diverse as scrimshaw, woodcarving, model boat making, stained glass, ceramics, pottery, painting, photography, silk work, jewelry making and crochet. Many artists display their work in the boutiques of Port Elizabeth; most are more than happy to invite you into their studios to discuss their work.
The work of local and visiting artists, including names like Julie Savage Lea, L.D. Lucy and Pinky, is featured on a weekly basis. Ask about the "Meet the Artist" mornings.
Below are a few links to whet your appetite, but for a full listing please see the Bequia Tourism Association’s Bequia Arts & Crafts page.
Claude Victorine’s Art Studio in Lower Bay displays her handmade silk creations as well as paintings by her daughter. Claude creates superb fabrics, cushion covers and wall hangings. Closed on Fridays. Tel: 784-458-3150. Website
The Boathouse, overlooking Friendship Bay on the airport road, features model boats-that-sail, paintings, prints and island souvenirs. Tel: 457-3896.
Jacob Scott's workshop at Hope Beach displays hats and baskets.
The Spring Pottery & Art Gallery: you can see potters and painters at work and tour the gallery exhibition of these and other artists' work. Tel: 457-3757.
Spring Studios: you can buy ceramics or watch pottery-making demos. The gallery is housed in an old sugar mill built in the 1800s and was operational until the 1940s. Closed mid-May to late November. Tel: 784-457-3757.
Jacob Scott at Hope Beach is another celebrated local talent who scours Bequia’s shores for coral, shells, flotsam and recyclable refuse, which he turns into surprisingly stylish jewelry and fashion accessories. Tel: 401-848-9360.
The Arts and Crafts Cafe (part bar, part studio and part hairdressing salon) is run by Emma and PQ, a Bequia artist and sculptor. Sculptures, painted calabash and macrame jewelry are among the items on sale. Emma, a top professional hairdresser from the UK, carries out her craft in the shade of a tree at reasonable prices. Tel: 457-3948 for an appointment.
Model Boats: Bequia has a long tradition of boat building and for many years the local boatyards were the source of most commercial wooden vessels in the Grenadines. With the advent of larger steel ships the boatyards died out and the art of boatbuilding has shifted to the model boat building industry. Stop into Mauvin's or Sargeant Brothers in Port Elizabeth and watch the craftsmen create these incredibly detailed works of art.
Island Attractions
Turtle Sanctuary: In Park, on the northeastern side of Bequia, Mr Orton King maintains the Oldhegg Turtle Sanctuary, founded in 1995, where baby hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles, caught up in fishing nets or stranded alone on beaches, are given a second chance at life. Nourished until they are old enough to fend for themselves, the turtles are then returned to the sea where they may live for 100 years or more. Pay a visit and watch this rescue mission in operation.
Moonhole: Located on the far western tip of Bequia, the fascinating architectural style of Moonhole is based on the concept of living in harmony with nature while taking full advantage of the Caribbean environment, as interpreted by Tom Johnston, the American designer who first purchased and developed the site in the 1960's. To achieve these goals, these unique houses, seemingly carved out of the solid rock, have been designed on sites overlooking the sea, maximising both views and breezes while minimising their impact on the environment. Tours can be arranged through the Tourist Office in Port Elizabeth. You can find out more about Moonhole at the Moonhole Homeowner's Association website.
Mount Pleasant: The highest point on Bequia is Mount Pleasant at 760 ft / 231.7 m. The 360° view from the top is well worth the trip and the area is popular with locals and visitors alike. Stop at the Sugar Hill Bar and Restaurant near the top for a cold beer and enjoy a view from St. Vincent to Canouan. You will soon appreciate why so many fine homes are built at the top of this mountain.
Paget Farm: A small fishing community near the airport, and home to the Banana Patch Studio featuring scrimshaw and other artwork, is another worthwhile stop. At Paget Farm, a few fishermen who use two 26 ft long cedar boats, powered by oars and sails, still legally practice whale harpooning from February to May. They do not catch much. If you can arrange a trip to Petit Nevis you can see the whaling station and find out more about Bequia’s whaling tradition. Don’t forget to visit the Whaling Museum.
Spring Plantation: This 200 year old working plantation overlooking Spring Bay used to have a 19th century sugar factory whose ruins are now the location for The Spring Pottery. Here you can see pottery being made and an exhibition of works for sale.
Hamilton Fort: A small, colonial-style, 18th century fort, is located on the far side of Admiralty Bay on the hill above Port Elizabeth. A few sea-worn cannons stand as a reminder of the French, who fortified the site in the 18th century, and the English, who later held it. The battery is mostly gone, but the view of sailboats anchored in Admiralty Bay makes the trip worthwhile.
Farther Afield
Mustique: A short boat ride, or a 5 minute flight, to the south of Bequia will take you to Mustique, the Caribbean homes of celebrities such as Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Bryan Adams and the like. This privately owned, beautifully manicured, 2 sq.miles / 4.5 sq.km island can be ideal for a day's visit by sail or powerboat. Explore the island, take an tour, or just visit one of the beautiful beaches, with plenty of time for a drink in Basil's bar, voted one of the 10 best beach bars in the world.
Tobago Cays: The Tobago Cays are a famous collection of five uninhabited coral islands that comprise a national maritime park, with some of the most spectacular waters in the world. Once there, one can explore the underwater treasures of Horseshoe Reef, where the movie Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed, or enjoy a relaxing nap on one of the numerous desert island beaches. With clear, turquoise-blue waters, the area is quite simply breathtaking. The reefs here provide some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world. Don't forget to take your camera, as the scenery is truly breathtaking. Day trips can be arranged. The Friendship Rose sails to Tobago Cays.
Canouan – Golf Course: If the thought of a vacation without golf is just too much to take, then take a short day trip to the Trump International Golf Club on nearby Canouan Island. An exhilarating and challenging 18-hole, par 72 golf course, designed by Jim Fazio, the course stretches for 60 acres along the ocean edge. Robb Report 2005 described this course as the "St. Andrews of the Caribbean".
St Vincent: St Vincent is just 9 miles north of Bequia. With regular ferries throughout the day, it is one of the most naturally spectacular and undeveloped of the large Caribbean islands. Full and half day trips can be made to some of the natural wonders of this island. Climb through the rainforests to the summit of a volcano, visit the oldest botanical gardens in the western world, trek through rainforest to Trinity Falls, take a boat trip to the Falls of Baliene, visit Montreal Gardens a commercial tropical flower nursery, hike though the rainforest of a protected national park or just take a drive along the stunning coast line to the largest coconut plantation in the Caribbean. Whatever you choose to do, the amazing beauty of these natural wonders will take your breath away.
St Vincent – La Soufriere Volcano: La Soufriere rises majestically to over 4,000 ft / 1,219 m. It last erupted in April 1979. A tour of La Soufriere volcano takes you along the picturesque windward coast of St Vincent, through banana and coconut plantations to where the foot trail begins. This trail starts halfway up the mountain and is suitable for all ages with a basic level of fitness. Or, for the more energetic, climb from the beaches of the Leeward side and you can truly say that you "did the volcano". Guides available and recommended.
St Vincent – Vermont Nature Trails: A series of trails leading through tropical rain forest where visitors may have a chance to see the rare and unique St Vincent Parrot (Amazona Guildingii) and Whistling Warber. The trails offer excellent bird watching as the habitat surrounding them houses several rare species as well as an array of tropical plants and flowers. A good guide is essential for full appreciation of this spectacular natural ecosystem.
St Vincent – Botanical Gardens; First established in 1765, making them the oldest botanical gardens in the Western Hemisphere, the gardens occupy 20 acres to the north of Kingstown and feature a descendent of the original breadfruit tree brought to the island by Captain Bligh in 1793. Many ancient and impressive specimens of flowering plants, palms, cycads, and tropical trees make up these gardens which were originally planted for the very practical reason of insuring visiting ships a good supply of fruits and vegetables for their voyages. Guides are available at the entrance to the gardens and a good one makes the trees and plants come alive.
St Vincent – Falls of Baleine: These spectacular waterfalls are situated in the lush tropical rainforest at the northern tip of St Vincent. Cool waters come down from the mountaintops and then cascade 59 ft (18m) to form a series of shallow pools at the base. These falls can be easily reached by boat on a Leeward coast day trip or by land excursion.
St Vincent – The Pirates of the Caribbean Film Site: St Vincent and the Grenadines' newest attraction is the film site of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Wallilabou Bay was selected because the film directors went looking for an un-spoilt cove on a Caribbean island that did not already have hotels or even a village, a rare thing in today's overdeveloped world. The pristine nature of St. Vincent's leeward coast, together with the Tobago Cays, made the perfect setting for this trilogy. You will easily recognize many of the settings for the film from the wharf to the gallows to the dead men's stone arch.
St Vincent – Fort Charlotte: Explore 200-year-old Fort Charlotte, perched 600 feet above the sea. The ruins overlook Kingston harbour, and offer a magnificent southward panoramic view of the Grenadine islands. Forts such as Fort Charlotte remain as a remainder of the struggles of the past and there is an interesting museum and art gallery located within the old fort buildings.
St Vincent – Leeward Side Tours:
Sea: A perfect day out for the whole family is a boat tour of the Leeward Coast. Tour operators, such as Fantasea Tours, leave from the Kingstown area and make frequent stops at points of interest and to swim or snorkel. The sea off the leeward coast is normally quite calm and stops at the Leper's Baths, Bat Cave, and Pirates Film site are interspersed with frequent sightings of dolphins or whales. Lunch and drinks are usually provided.
Land: Haz-Eco tours operate out of Kingstown to all the popular sites detailed above, or you can easily arrange your own programme with one of the taxi drivers. Our housekeeper will be happy to assist you in arranging your outing.
Annual Events
New Year's Eve: Old Year's Night, as it is called by Bequians, has become a major celebration with dozens of yachts anchored in Admiralty Bay adding to the festivities. Restaurants are usually very busy and many host special events. In the past there has been a midnight fireworks display over the harbour.
The Mustique Blues Festival and the Bequia Music Fest: In late January every year Basil Charles of the famous Basil's Bar organizes a week of phenomenal jazz and blues on Bequia's neighbouring island of Mustique featuring Dana Gillespie and a selection of her fellow musicians from England, the United States and elsewhere.
On Friday of that week, the whole troupe moves to Bequia's Plantation House. In addition, the Bequia Tourism Association invites top bands from Trinidad, Barbados and Bequia to perform on Saturday at the Plantation House and Sunday during the day at De Reef restaurant in Lower Bay, rounding out a weekend of outstanding music. For more details, see the Bequia Tourism Association's Bequia Music Fest pages.
Mozart under the Coconut and Palm Trees: The "Why Knot String Quartet" hosts this festival in early March. Events include concerts at Plantation House, Friendship Bay Hotel and a candlelight concert at St. Mary's Church. Mariann "Why Knot?" conceived the idea and brought young musicians to Bequia for this innovative method of exposing islanders to classical music.
Easter Regatta: Organized by the Bequia Sailing Club this is Bequia's biggest yearly event and one of Bequia's most popular and lively long weekends. Small colourful sailing boats hand built on the island, as well as yachts from all over the world, compete in several challenging races. Dates change according to the date of Easter. For more information on the regatta, see Bequia Easter Regatta.
Vincy Mas Carnival: The Carnival in St Vincent and the Grenadines dates back before 1920 when it was held at the Botanical Gardens. Carnival started out being a display of folk dances, maypole, boisbois and calypso. In the late 1950's and early 1960's, the carnival was expanded into a beautiful pageant featuring historical bands that showed and described Roman Emperors, Incas, Greeks, Spaniards, Chinese and North American Indians.
Usually in late June and lasting until mid July, St Vincent's carnival features 12 days full of fun and excitement. Calypso and steel band music fill the streets and everywhere you will see fantastic costumes and dancing. Carnival/Vincy Mas festivities include King & Queen of the bands, Junior Carnival, Miss Carnival Show, steel band & Calypso Competitions, and Street Parades.
For more information and dates, check the Vincy Mas website.
Nine Mornings: A uniquely Vincentian tradition, the nine nights before Christmas are celebrated with music, singing and revels taking place up and down the island in an exuberant countdown. Shortly before Christmas, groups representing the island's villages and communities compete in an evening carol competition attended by most of the island and its visitors.
The beaches of Bequia are white sand, some are secluded and all are clean and uncrowded. The waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, sailing, diving — any water-sport you can think of. Bequia’s mountainous terrain blesses it with several secluded harbors lined with long stretches of peaceful sands. All beaches are public, but you’ll rarely see more than a handful of people at any given time.
From Spring House, it’s a short walk or ride down the hill to Spring Bay Beach where you will be almost guaranteed to have the beach all to yourself. A few minutes further along the coast will bring you to Crescent Beach at Industry Bay where you can enjoy relaxing in the privacy of an idyllic beach or the excitement of kayaking in the waves crashing off the reef. The island is not that large and Spring House is centrally located so we invite you to get out and explore.
Beaches we recommend for …
You: find your own private, secluded beach … there are endless small hidden coves, beaches and bays around every corner, just waiting for you …
A Half-Day Visit: Princess Margaret beach, just below Belmont, is one of the best beaches in Bequia and a safe and popular place for any beach activities. This serene stretch of sand is a good place to sunbathe, swim or snorkel. Bring a picnic with you or head back to the restaurants along the Belmont Walkway for lunch. Don’t forget the deck chairs and umbrella!
Families: Families can swim, kayak, snorkel or just relax at Lower Bay, one of the island’s broadest and loveliest beaches. There are several bars and restaurants and always some music going on, especially on the weekends. The beach area comes alive as the locals bring their fast boats over from St Vincent and mix with the catamarans anchored barely offshore and the water taxis racing back and forth to the harbour. If you are looking for a lively beach to hang out where the action is, Lower Bay is the place for you.
Scenery and Seclusion: If you really want to get away from it all, head to Hope Bay along the island’s eastern coast. Hope Bay is a remote, picturesque beach. It is difficult to get to, with a bit of a hike from the end of the track, but that all adds to its lure. There are no hotels or bars nearby, so let our housekeeper know that you would like to take a picnic. It has rather shallow waters and a long line of breakers from the Atlantic Ocean which makes it ideal for body surfing and windsurfing.
The Bequia Beaches
Adams Bay
Located on the southern side of the island between the airport and Moonhole, if you want to try swimming with manta rays! Or go the extra distance and enjoy the wider sand and seclusion of Moonhole Beach.
Athneal Ollivierre Beach
Located next to Adams Bay Beach on the southern side of the island, and has great views of the Southern Grenadines. A white sand semi-secluded beach, it is generally calm, clear and shallow, with lots of beautiful shells. Best reached by vehicle and a short walk, it is near the airport but has no facilities.
Belmont Beach
A thin strip of sand separating the water from a number of popular restaurants and bars along the Admiralty Bay harbour front. Under water at high tide and more of a walkway than a beach for relaxing, it is used by the diving equipment shops for scuba training.
Friendship Bay
A short ride from town and has a long, wide sweep of beach, with excellent conditions for diving, sailing and snorkeling. A lovely semi-circle of sand facing southeast, it is protected by a headland so that waves are seldom more than a foot high. The attractive view towards Mustique is enhanced by the tiny islets of Whale Cay and Semple Island, with Petit Nevis in the background. Hotels and bars front on this bay so refreshments are available.
Hope Bay
A remote, picturesque beach exposed to the Atlantic, without reefs, so you may find big waves here that make it ideal for body surfing and windsurfing. It has shallow waters, a wide sandy beach and is a little difficult to access so you are almost certain to be alone here. Sometimes there is powerful surf, a strong undertow and offshore current, so take care. There aren’t any hotels or bars nearby, so take lots of water and a picnic.
Industry Bay — Crescent Beach
One of our favourite beaches close to Spring House. Crescent Beach in Industry Bay is a pleasant beach protected from the waves of the Atlantic by reefs. Can be breezy sometimes. A beach bar offers food and drink, but the adjacent beach is almost always deserted. Snorkeling and good windsurfing for beginners or exciting kayaking along the reef.
L’Anse Chemin
Only for the true adventurer or explorer who wishes to go where few have gone before. Hike up the hills behind Park Bay and cross over to L’Anse Chemin, a beautiful uninhabited bay on the island’s west coast. Very seldom used.
Lower Bay
The longest and most popular beach on the island, and is the main beach area for many events including the annual Easter Regatta. Several bars, restaurants and guesthouses along the beach make it a favourite venue for locals and visitors alike both during the day and in the evening. Charter yachts and windjammer cruise ships anchor close by and use the beach for water sports and other activities. Ideal for families and just about anyone looking to have fun. Give it a miss if you are looking for privacy and seclusion.
Moonhole
On the most southern tip of the island, and is sheltered and secluded with gorgeous views of the southern Grenadines. The road goes past the airport and turns into a dirt track. Parking is limited but the trip is worth the effort. All beaches in Bequia are public so you are welcome to enjoy them even if it seems like you are on private property. One of the nicest and most private beaches on the island, this is the empty beach that the brochures use. You will come away really believing that you are alone in paradise. No facilities, so bring a picnic.
Park Bay
Another palm-shaded, undeveloped sandy beach. It is also home to the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. Not much used as a recreational beach for no real reason except that there are so many other fine beaches in Bequia, it makes interesting snorkeling among the many coral heads. The current will take you on an exciting swim around the headlands to Industry and then Spring Bay. Be sure to go in pairs and wear a life jacket.
Princess Margaret Beach
Used to be called “Tony Gibbons” beach until the royal princess took a swim here while on her honeymoon in 1958. This is a lovely sandy beach with clear water and fine views across the harbour from the south side of Admiralty Bay. A little quieter than Lower Bay due to more difficult access, it has a new beach bar and dinghy dock at its north end which will doubtless increase its popularity with visiting cruisers.
Ravine Bay
A secluded bay separated from Friendship Bay by St Hilaire Point, access to Ravine Bay is not for the faint hearted. A steep hike in, this picturesque but secluded bay features rough surf, dark sand and a blow hole. As you might expect, there are no facilities.
Sal Bay
Just to the northeast of Park Bay and beyond the turtle sanctuary is dramatic Sal Bay, where the reef wraps around the headland and reaches toward shore. If you are looking for a remote beach with a difference, Sal Bay could be worth a look. Tends to be windy.
Spring Bay
The Spring Bay beach area is due for a complete renovation and upgrade now that the Firefly Bequia hotel has bought the old Spring Hotel and its surrounding acreage. Towering coconut palms, a remnant of the plantation’s heyday, lean over the beach and provide a dramatic backdrop to this fine beach on the north-east coast. Well worth a visit even now as we wait to see what the future holds for this area.
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| Testimonials |
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Bequia: Spring House Bequia: "All inclusive villa in Bequia"
Marie Claire, Stuttgart, Germany May 8, 2007
I stayed with my family at this great villa in Bequia just before Easter this year. Their website is www.springhosuebequia.com. We were having a family reunion and wanted a big place that would accomodate the whole family (11 of us) without having to stay at a bunch of different places. When we first looked at their web site, it was like whoa...........no way can we afford that! But when we looked at what they offerred - flights, meals, open bar, jeep, cook, maids, etc it was actually cheaper than all of us staying at a hotel. And let me tell you, we put a dent in that open bar!
The place is in Spring a few minutes drive from the main town. but with the free jeep - hey! The best thing for us was that everybody could stay together. They have this fantastic pool with a bridge over it! Also the rooms are like a fairytale with these huge 4 poster beds all draped in lace.
The other good thing was the staff. They made us feel like royalty. You could just spend the whole time there being waited on hand and foot. My wifeespecially liked being able to drop laundry in a basket and finding it washed, ironed and folded on the bed by the aftrnoon.
Would really recommend this place if you have a big group, reunion or are just rich and want a fantastic place to yourself
Spring House Bequia
Posted by travelgirl99 11 May 2007
We went to the wonderful island of Bequia for Easter this year with three other couples and my mother. Stayed at a large villa called Spring House. It turned out to be the best choice that we could have made. Great place. Great service. Great staff. Everybody had a good time and we were so well taken care of. It was really nice that the place was so big that we could all be together especially in the evenings and on days that we didn't feel like taking trips.
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| Reservation Information |
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Chris
| | | Cell Phone: (+1) 784-483-0381 | | | Day Phone: UK: (+44) 207-099-6983 | | | Evening Phone: USA: (+1) 617-275-4820 |
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