Inchcape Seaside Villas

The property was originally built in the 1920s, and historic details, such as the cobblestone driveway, have been retained. Rustic and charming, the white, beachy buildings are surrounded by potted and planted tropical plants and palm trees. There are arched doorways and charming nooks and turns around each corner. 

There is a small reception area, but for the most part, guests are welcomed directly into their unit by a member of the staff. The owners reside on-site are hands-on in helping with guests needs and questions.

The property is on the smaller side, and feels private and secluded. The atmosphere around the villas is quiet and almost sleepy – no one is in a rush, and other guests are relaxing and enjoying the peaceful grounds and beach. With the exception of the lawn and beach, the villas lack common areas, and there is no on-site restaurant or bar. Most guests hang out in their villas at night; it’s certainly not a rowdy or party atmosphere.

The villas are ideal for couples or families looking for more space and privacy than in a typical hotel setting. Folks coming for an extended stay (more than a few days) would do well here because of the fully equipped kitchens and home-style living.

Inchcape is located in Silver Sands, a mostly residential neighborhood on the south coast of the island, although there are a small handful of hotels around the area. There is no one-site restaurant and not a lot of amenities in the immediate area so a rental car is recommended. Busy, bustling Oistins is a six-minute minute drive away and the St. Lawrence Gap, filled with restaurants, bars, and entertainments, is a short drive as well.

Silver Sands is known for its surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing.

There are 13 units of the property and they are labeled by the building they reside in (Seaside, Cottage, Tower, Sunset, etc.). Each has a slightly different layout, although there are similarities in the furnishings and amenities. The buildings were designed by a professor of film architecture and have interesting stylistic touches such as vaulted ceilings, circular windows, built-in bookshelves and closets, and loft-style bedrooms. One villa interconnects to another unit through a bookcase (very Sherlock Holmes-esque). 

A one-bedroom apartment that we saw, Seaside Cottage, had white brick walls, white drapes, and white molding on the doors and windows. The color scheme didn’t feel sterile or institutional, rather, it added to the clean, beachy feel that infused all of the villas. A beige couch and dark wood chairs, table, and desk, rounded out the living room. The loft-style bedroom was up a set of stairs and was on the small side, although it did have its own TV. A scenic patio was accessed through the bedroom and provided beautiful views of the property and ocean.

The other one-bedroom we saw, Tower, had a vaulted bedroom as well but its living room and bathroom were more spacious.

The two-bedroom apartment, Sunset Upstairs, had an enormous living room with white furniture. It offered an incredible view of the water outside of the multiple windows and double glass doors that led out to the patio. The view, along with the white furnishings, resulted in an absolutely stunning space. While the furnishings aren’t exactly contemporary, they are still stylish.

The villas have fully equipped kitchens with plates, cups, and utensils, as well as pots, pans, and cooking tools. They all have full-size refrigerators, stoves, and ovens. 

There is no air-conditioning in the rooms but there is a constant breeze that flows through the property and most guests find that it’s not missed. The breeze also helps to keep mosquitos at a minimum. There are ceiling fans in all units.

On an expensive island like Barbados, the rates are very competitive for the rooms and space provided.

The property is located on the edge of Silver Sands Beach. As with many beaches in Barbados, the size of the beach varies on the tide, time of year, and weather. On the day of our visit, there wasn’t much sand, however, this is a more spacious beach at other times. The calmness of the water varies as well, and was rough during our visit, but would provide good conditions for surfing and other sports. Because you can only access this stretch of sand through Inchcape or the property next door, the beach is quiet and private. 

The property has a beautifully landscaped lawn area with hammocks, loungers, and cabanas that offers stunning views of the ocean. Palm trees dot the lawn and provide a lovely, scenic area for guests to lounge.

With the exception of the beach and lawn there aren't many features -- no fitness center, no business center, and no restaurant. This is typical of other villa properties on the island, although nearby White Sands Beach Villas has a small outdoor pool.

Inchcape can arrange an airport pick-up and will also arrange for guests' rental cars to be delivered. There is no fee for arranging these services, but you do have to pay for the service itself. Inchcape also provides a storage facility for surfing equipment. 

Parking is available and free. The villas offer free Wi-Fi in all of the units and common areas.

Inchcape can host wedding ceremonies on-site on their scenic lawn overlooking the beach. The owners will recommend a wedding planner who can coordinate other ceremony details.