West Coast Barbados - A Place in the Sun

West Coast Barbados Craig Rowe

With retirement approaching, house hunters Lesley and Ken have downsized their house in the UK to free up some cash to buy a holiday home on the Caribbean Island of Barbados. Helping them find the perfect place is property expert Craig Rowe. He reveals them the best of what their £350,000 budget gets them by showing them five stunning properties but will any the dream place for Lesley and Ken?

About the area

Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island and basks in balmy temperatures all year long. Direct flights from the UK take about nine hours. The west coast is particularly beautiful, packed with paradise-like white sandy beaches such as Mullins and Holetown. It’s a family friendly destination too with gentle lapping turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Backing the coast are brilliantly Bajan beach bars and restaurants, small villages filled with colourful houses and national parks complete with cheeky companions.

St James is probably the best known area in the region, and has an upmarket reputation with glitzy restaurants and high-end hotel resorts where the like of Simon Cowell and Hugh Grant are said to stay.

Property 1

Two-bed apartment in St James

Property 1 Two-bed apartment in St James

As well as having access to the facilities of the complex which includes gardens and two pools, this first floor apartment has a lovely terrace at the back, which leads seamlessly from an open plan dining living room and kitchen with utility. The main bedroom has its own balcony, and there’s a second smaller double, a shower room, and a toilet. Find out more.

Valued at £291,045 at the time of filming.

Property 2

Three-bed townhouse in Mullins Terrace

Property 2 Three-bed townhouse in Mullins Terrace

As well as a shared plunge pool, this development is right next to a lovely public park. This show home - which has the same layout as the property for sale - has a small porch by the front door, a lovely terrace at the back, and two upstairs balconies. Inside is a living room which is open plan with the dining room and semi open to the kitchen. Upstairs the main double bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom as well as access to a balcony. There’s another double with an en suite shower room and another balcony, and a third double bedroom with toilet. 

Valued at £373,134 at the time of filming.

Property 3

Three-bed apartment in Prospect

Property 3  Three-bed apartment in Prospect

As well as the communal pool, this townhouse – which is split across three levels, also has a wraparound balcony off the living room with sea views, another balcony off a bedroom, and a fab roof terrace with more amazing sea views. Inside on the basement floor are two double bedrooms and a shower room, then on the ground floor are two more of the bedrooms and another shower room. Then on the top floor but with spiral stairs to the roof terrace is an open plan living dining room and kitchen, as well as a toilet.  View more from the agent here.

Valued at £373,134 at the time of filming.

 

Property 4

Three-bed apartment in St James

Property 4 Three-bed apartment in St James

At the side of the house is a double garage, and there’s a palm tree filled garden wrapping all around with several patioed areas for dining or lounging. Inside is a bright dining room which is open plan with a large kitchen and a large downstairs bedroom currently used as a study. Upstairs the main bedroom has doors to the balcony, a walk-in wardrobe, and an en suite shower room. There’s another double - with en suite shower - and the fourth bedroom - currently used as a gym. Then in the basement with independent access is the studio apartment with an open plan bedroom living room and kitchen as well as its own shower room. Find out more.

Valued at £365,672 at the time of filming.

Property 5

Three-bed cottage in St James

Property 5 Three-bed cottage in St James

At the back of this house is a large terraced garden complete with a plunge pool, and there are balconies off all the bedrooms upstairs. Inside is a split-level open plan dining and living room. There’s a separate kitchen with a window seat at the back, and a downstairs toilet. Upstairs are three double bedrooms – all with access to balconies – and one with an en-suite shower. Find out more.

Valued at £365,672 at the time of filming.

Hot Property

Four-bed luxury villa in Old Queens Fort

Hot Property Four-bed luxury villa in Old Queens Fort

This is one of the most luxurious properties on the West Coast of Barbados. Surrounded by lush greenery this house is under 500 meters from the beach. It really embraces indoor-outdoor living, with panoramic windows leading out to a private pool, and there’s a lovely sheltered al fresco dining area. View more from agent.