PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE LISTING DESCRIPTION SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE OVERALL PROPERTY AND EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE RENTING.
CRIME AND SAFETY CLARIFICATION;
***As you may have read the USA put out a safety advisory on travel to the Bahamas. Please know that is ONLY for the two heavily populated large islands; New Providence and Grand Bahama. It is NOT for our island which is extremely safe with zero violent crime against tourists. It is similar to thinking the entire state of Michigan is dangerous because parts of the city of Detroit are dangerous. You can book your stay knowing you will be in a safe area on a safe island even for single women travelers.
WHO WE ARE AS HOSTS;
You can book with confidence because online Villa Allamanda has over 200 reviews with an average rating of 4.97 out of 5.0 stars. Also we are continually voted the #1 place to stay in Governors Harbor, Eleuthera by Trip Advisor users with 180 average 5 star reviews. We are also Premier Hosts with VRBO/HomeAway and have been since 2016 with our other 20+ properties with thousands of reviews online.
GENERAL INFORMATION;
Villa Allamanda was born from the vision of prominent local Bahamian John McCardy one of the island’s most respected architects. He designed and built the 5000 square foot property in 2013 and still continues making improvements on a regular basis…as he says, “the passion for perfection will never end.” He wanted to create a very unique vacation rental experience like no other on the island that takes in the amazing and dramatic dual ocean views, but a space that also envelops the guest in soothing garden oasis all while offering top of the line accommodations. Around every nook and cranny there is something special to find with little sitting areas, gorgeous bromeliads and flowers, palm trees and birds. There are a total of 8 air conditioned units in the 3 story villa, plus one free standing cottage. Note you are renting the King Suite on the top floor called Royal Poinciana. Also as an added bonus if you have a large group and all want to be together, yet have your own space and privacy this is the perfect place for that also! Each unit comes with their own space and all have smart TVs with cable TV and free high speed fiber internet. There is even a back-up generator if the power goes out which in Eleuthera is often! There is both city water and a 33,000 gallon rain tank if the power goes out. There are no shared bathrooms or kitchens and being an architect everything was designed with privacy in mind and with a noise reducing design. The only shared spaces are the jungle like property grounds on the main floor outside. There is free on site parking. We caption each photo so you know exactly what you are looking at and so you are informed before you book your stay. John prides himself on offering all guests a 5 star experience!
YOUR UNIT;
Note – the unit you are renting is called Royal Poinciana and is the top floor King Suite with awesome views of both the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean from inside the unit and course outside with the 360 degree wrap around deck. Note you have a large portion of the 3rd floor balcony which is blocked off with a privacy door so no other guests can enter your space. There is also a dining table outside in your private section for al-fresco with ocean views! The unit is bright and airy with lots of French doors and windows. The pure white vaulted ceilings are cypress wood tongue and groove style along with gorgeous custom terracotta tile floors. Ceiling fans are located in every room along with very efficient AC units. The King Suite sleeps 4 people very comfortably, adults or kids. There is a very high quality canopy King size bed with high end mattress and top of the line linens for 2 adults in an enclosed private bedroom. The guest bedroom/sleeping area is off the living room and has two twin beds and in its own separate room, although it is a smaller room - see photos. ***Note the guest bedroom is locked unless it is for more 3 or more people. That is why we charge an extra nightly fee for the 3rd and 4th guest because a couple will use the King bed. If you have any questions or concerns over this just ask. The overall décor is lovely, tropical and filled with bright and colorful Caribbean theme. The big and beautiful kitchen has everything you need from cooking full meals and sit down dining for 4 people. It has all the goodies you need like coffee maker, toaster, blender, cookware, wine glasses, etc. There are USB phone chargers and a hairdryer provided also. Of course you have the basics such as; seasonings, soap and shampoo, linens, towels, beach and bath towels, kitchen towels, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, kitchen sponge and dish soap, iron and ironing board, etc. There is a small library of books for your reading pleasure. Beach chairs and beach umbrella is also provided. It is the nicest and by far the biggest unit at almost 600 sq ft of living space not counting exterior decking. You can see the photos section for a better visualization of the interior and exterior of your unit. Note you have an entire section of the 3rd floor balcony which is all blocked off with a privacy door so no other guests can enter your space. There is also a full size dining table outside for al-fresco eating with ocean views! We offer a pack n play crib as an add on option for $20 per night.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION;
We are located in Cigatoo Estates in central Eleuthera which is less than a 5 minute drive from Governor’s Harbor. The location is fantastic for exploring all the way to the southern and northern island tips as you are right in the middle. Some of the island’s best restaurants, bars, beaches and attractions are less than a 5 – 15 minute drive. Just to name a few you have Twin Coves Beach, French Leave Beach, Allabaster and Receivers Beach and Sky Beach Club all very close. ***Note Twin Coves Beach and French Leave Beach are two of the very top rated beaches on the entire island and that is saying a lot. You can walk to Twin Coves Beach which is 15 minutes or drive at 3 minutes. French Leave Beach is about a 5 minute drive. As for restaurants you have 1648 Restaurant, Tippy’s, Pascal’s, and Buccaneer Club, all 5 minutes away, to name a few. Those restaurants are some of the most sought after eateries on the whole island. You have the world famous Friday Night Fish Fry street festival just 5 minutes away and also Ronnie’s the only real nightclub on the island. We are very close to many attractions also like the Haynes Library, Leon Levy Preserve, Edwin’s Sea Turtle Lake, etc. Important things such as health clinics, the main police station, churches, food stores, liquor stores, shops, banking and ATM, gas stations, etc. are all 5 minutes away. The island is 110 miles long with one road going tip to tip with some very bad pot holes, so it is very important to pick a good home base location otherwise be prepared to do a lot of driving with $6 per gallon gas prices!
EXTRA PERKS STAYING WITH US;
We offer a discounted SUV rental as an option during your stay directly from John the owner. He can arrange you ride from the airport also. The vehicles are in excellent condition and very nice comparatively speaking on the island (see photo), reliable and always spotless and he is always there is you ever had an issue. If you want tours for fishing, swimming with the pigs, snorkeling etc. we have the best captain in all of the Bahamas and have been using him for years. Our guests always get first dibs on any trip with him even if he’s busy. There is an outdoor gas grill with free gas and a charcoal grill with free charcoal you can use in the garden grounds area. The snorkeling and spearfishing is some of the very best on the island right near our property both on the Atlantic and Caribbean sides. There are USB charging stations in every unit. John the owner lives on site and knows everyone and everything about Eleuthera. So you really have a personal concierge on site during your stay. Don’t worry about privacy as he leaves all guests alone unless they require his assistance. You may do your laundry onsite, but that is for longer stays and you can talk to John directly about laundry usage. For island hoppers or short stays there is a laundromat just 5 minutes away. We offer an awesome 20+ page trip planner document that tells tons of very helpful information about renting vehicles, planning tours, swimming with the pigs, how to get to the island, etc. and that is only for our guests.
ELEUTHERA IS NOT FOR EVERYONE;
If Miami Beach or Montego Bay is your thing we respectfully suggest you pick a different destination. Eleuthera is a sleepy island with some flaws; bad roads, dated infrastructure, more frequent than back home power / water / internet outages, geckos sometimes will be in a home and painfully slow service at certain places. We say this because every year we get a guest that complains about the island and that is clearly the case of a guest going to the wrong destination for their vacation. In Eleuthera people are genuine, helpful and kind. It is unspoiled and gorgeous and mostly empty going back back 75 years in time. We know it well and have been there over 100 times and have many long-term Bahamian relationships. You will explore the most stunning beaches you have ever seen and have them usually all to yourself. We love what it has to offer, but we are not the Miami Beach or Las Vegas type of the traveler either.
IN SUMMARY;
Villa Allamanda is an exceptional choice for any traveler that wants top of the line accommodations in a great location at a very reasonable price. Thank you for your consideration and we wish you a wonderful trip to beautiful Eleuthera no matter where you choose to stay!
Marielbys – you property manager during booking
John – the owner and on island host