Just returned from a pre Christmas holiday to Bequia. We loved the island and found everyone to be exceptionally friendly, including Daphne, the host / housekeeper at the Beachfront Villas. We stayed in the penthouse 2 bedroomed villa, which was basic but well kept and clean. As there are no welcome provisions (not even tea bags and coffee), plan on bringing provisions with, or shopping on arrival. There was a tiny bar at the top of the road which sold bottles of water / beer etc, which you could take out, however the pounding reggae music they played could be heard from within the villa became intrusive. The view from the balcony was beautiful, although we were a bit disappointed that the balcony was in complete shade most of the time (apart from an hour or two first thing). There was a very thin strip of beach which meant that there was not much room for sunbathing there either and this filled up with vast amounts of see grass (like pine needles) which was tended to directly outside the villas but not along the rest of the bay. We would have liked to have had enough sun loungers for each person as well, which were lacking.

We enjoyed walking round the bay and swimming in the bay to cool off. There were hardly any other tourists staying in the area whilst we were there, so we saw more locals cooling off in the bay and walking their dogs along the beach! The snorkeling was not as good as we had anticipated and meant you had to go out quite a way to see anything.

Another grip was that the next door neighbors to the villa had 2 dogs which would bark frantically at anyone within eyeshot which became quite annoying.

We felt very safe and able to get out and about using taxis and the dollar busses and enjoyed eating out every night. The restaurants are not sophisticated (nor as pricey) as the ones in Barbados or other more developed islands, however we particularly enjoyed The Gingerbread Hotel and Springs (the Sunday lunch curry buffet was great). We didn’t think much of our meal at the Friendship Bay Hotel though, which is currently undergoing major rennovation. We went to Frangipani for the weekly BBQ / Buffet and “Jump up” which was fun but very touristy.

we had stayed at this hotel on tortola and were equally impressed by this one on bequia. everyone is very friendly. dont rent a car, gideons taxi service is better to get around in. very laid back, great snorkeling, great room. they had some food waiting for us in the fridge and supplied a cell phone ($20)when ours did not work. ac in the bedroom was a big plus. breakfast overlooking the ocean each morning left no need to go into town. for lunch and dinner frangipani is the best place to eat, as many places are closed from june to oct. cocos is also great. at our hotel our host was daphne and we loved her! super nice. one bit of advice, check ferry schedules and holidays. the only ferry was at 7 am and the flight was not until 130. we took a speedboat instead, bad idea! saw my life pass before me. we stayed in the 1 bedroom and toured the others, very beautiful. overall the location can not be beat! also loved the locals.

When we planned our holiday in Bequia, we were looking for a bit of luxury, total relaxation, and to escape the trappings of commercial tourism, and our stay at Bequia Beachfront Villas fulfilled all our expectations and more.

We booked the one-bedroom apartment, which turned out to have all the home comforts, including a kitchen equipped to the highest standard including coffee machine, liquidiser and mammoth fridge and cooker. The bathroom and bedroom were equally impressive, with king-size bed, ample wardrobe space and brilliant shower facilities. (The three / two bedroom apartments which we viewed were also magnificent).

But it was the service and friendliness of the staff which made the difference, from the welcome pack of food and drink to the frequently changed fresh flowers, endless clean towels and thoughtful attentive (yet inobtrusive) gestures of Daphne assisted by Charmin. Nothing was too much trouble. Daphne was always happy to pass the time of day and never tired of my husband’s endless questions about the Island.

The greater part of our wonderful holiday (24th April to 8th May) was spent on the amazing veranda, watching the boats come and go in the bay or eating lunches of cooked Kingfish and Barracuda provided by the fishermen on the beach. (One of the fishermen, Michael, was also happy to take us on a boat trip along the coast and to visit neighbouring islands). We were in our element. The sun rose directly ahead inviting us for a swim in the mornings, (the sea was literally steps away) and the veranda provided shade throughout the whole day for the ultimate truly relaxing experience. We were at the very end of the beach, with no passers-by, and so it was like having our own private beach. Occasionally we saw the odd exploring beachcomber or local dogwalker, and one day a snorkeller waved at us and said ‘You guys have it all’. We agreed with him, as this was our sentiment exactly.

We did hire a car for a few days, but soon found that we could walk quite easily into Port Elizabeth to shop or for dinner, and that it was just as easy to catch one of the frequent ‘dollar buses’ passing by the Villa entrance. Taxis were in abundance and affordable.

Our holiday in Bequia was an altogether unforgettable experience which we will find very hard to beat. We would recommend Bequia to anyone who shares an aversion to ‘all-inclusive holidays’, and who values the opportunity to spend their holiday money amongst a community of probably the most friendly, deserving and appreciative people we have ever come across.

We can think of no better place to stay on Bequia than in Friendship Bay at the Beachfront Villas, which for us was a real ‘home from home’. Had we not wished to explore the Island and experience the excellent hospitality and restaurants (we loved the view and the food at the Devil’s Table, and the lobster at l'Auberge des Grenadines) we would have had no need (short of stocking up the fridge) to move from the spot ! I now have the view from the veranda - which I relished for a fortnight - as a screensaver on my computer at work, and we will most certainly return to experience it first hand again.

As a visitor to Barbados for thirty years, I grew tired of the relentless construction and increase in crowds. I remember as a small boy driving from Grantley airport through farm and fields to the west coast. These farms today are nothing but houses.

Bequia on the other hand, reminds me of Barbados many years ago. Beautiful beaches, English heritage, friendly people, and it is a pleasure to still see that there is a rustic Caribbean, with farm animals and roosters to hear early in the morning.

Needless to say, I plan on returning to Bequia often in the future, and staying at the beautiful Bequia Beachfront Villas, a first class, comfortable villa, with its warm, friendly staff. I wouldn't change a thing! I cannot say enough great things about Daphne. Her true role was "ambassador" or hostess. She always asked us if there was anything she could do. She helped us charter a boat to Mustique, buy some local fish, and answered any questions we thought of. Her husband, other staff, and Gideon, the taxi driver, was also thorough and professional.

We will be back soon.
Louis