Schooner Bay is the dream that has been created by wealthy businessman, Roger Baines

Mr Baines, originally from Yorkshire, who has a number of homes in Barbados purchased the plot of land now known as Schooner Bay, which was probably the last prime beachfront location on the fabled west coast, with a view to building a spectacular single dwelling house for himself.

Quickly realising that he had more than enough homes on Barbados, he decided to build the best Caribbean development on the island and to establish a new standard for luxury living. He visualised his dream and with the assistance of Robertson Ward Associates, local architects, his dream became reality.

Superbly located on the beautiful west coast of Barbados and ideally positioned on a magnificent beach that is secluded, yet within walking distance of the centre of historic Speightstown, you will find the elegant and characteristic residences at Schooner Bay. Schooner Bay enjoys all the benefits of a peaceful environment but without the usual disadvantages of being remote.

In fact Schooner Bay is just a short drive away from excellent restaurants, world-class golf courses and polo fields and a wide selection of other sports and leisure activities, a variety of shopping facilities, essential services and some of the island’s most beautiful and interesting visitor attractions. To further add to this attractive scenario, the area around Schooner Bay and Speightstown is rich in history and architectural heritage, including the historical ruins of Fort Denmark, one of more than forty costal forts and batteries erected by the British Military in the eighteenth century. Speightstown, a charming old seaport town, itself was once a thriving merchant town frequented by large sailing vessels which used to sail between Barbados and Bristol, England. The town itself contains some of the best examples of early urban architecture to be found anywhere in Barbados, some of which date back to the 1600s.

The 30 luxurious apartments and town houses have been designed and built to unsurpassed standards of quality and are beautifully appointed. The apartments range from single bedroom Caribbean pied-a-terre to the sumptuous four bedroom master penthouse complete with four bathrooms, sitting and dining area, study, barbecue area and roof level spa.

The roof deck gardens of the 401 and 402 penthouses with their own spa pools and barbecue facilities offer complete privacy and afford the most spectacular panoramic and uninterrupted views in all directions: north over the heart of Speightstown, south down the Cobblers Cover coastline, east towards the green hillside inland and west over the crystal clear waters of Godlings Bay. These are spacious two and three bedroom apartments each bedroom with its own bathroom and walk in wardrobe, cloakroom, kitchen, sitting and dining areas, and separate patio area. Each apartment faces due west overlooking the magnificent pool and garden area, sited just feet from the Caribbean Sea with some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world.

Enchanted evenings
The town houses are generous in their proportions, which you will instantly notice as you walk through the entrance door. You step into the foyer that has access to the cloakroom and sitting area. The foyer then leads to both the kitchen and the large patio area. An internal staircase leads up to the enchanting bedroom area with bathroom and external patio, for those warm and inviting Caribbean evenings.

All apartments share the same quality of finish, fittings and sense of style and give the freedom of space required in a tropical climate. The buildings themselves leave nothing to be desired in terms of first class architecture encompassing many similar features to the traditional architecture of Speightstown itself, such as the characteristic overhanging balconies, wooden fretwork and pickled ceilings, which in themselves are absolute sophistication. It is essentially a balance of traditional architecture designed to function efficiently in a modern environment. The buildings have been designed using the highest quality materials requiring low maintenance.

The top quality interior design features include stylish Italian kitchens by Errebi, including the best Smeg appliances, bathrooms luxuriously appointed with Scottini, Belvedere and Crestas suites, and walk in wardrobes fitted with superb storage systems by Gam & Gam. For additional comfort, a discrete air-conditioning system is in operation throughout all of the rooms.

Sweet scented
The apartments themselves are neatly arranged in a horseshoe shape around a beautifully designed free-form swimming pool, featuring vine-covered pergolas, lily ponds and pedestrian bridges, all centrally ensconced with lavish, vibrant and scented landscaped gardens that lead directly onto the white sandy beach. The beach itself has been planted with native coastal vegetation such as Sea Grape, Half Flower and Seaside Yam to both stablise the natural environment and also to provide nesting grounds for the sea turtles that occasionally lay their eggs in the sand above the high water mark.

Residences have full access to all the facilities including the on site state of the art gymnasium, swimming pool and jacuzzi. Each apartment is connected to a sophisticated entry system, offering secure access to all apartments backed up with 24-hour, seven days a week security. In recognition of the outstanding quality levels achieved by the development team, Schooner Bay has been awarded by the Bentley International Property Awards the Best Caribbean Development for 2003 and 2004, Best Interior Design for 2003 and Best Individual Property for 2004.

The ownership structure at Schooner Bay is a condominium arrangement, whereby each apartment owner has a share in the common holding company. Professional management will be provided under the control of the elected committee of owners. These management agents will also look after arrangements for letting units in the Schooner Bay rental programme.

However the proof of the pudding as they say is in the eating, and a visit to Schooner Bay will not disappoint. The experience of being there at nightfall is nothing less than spectacular with the soft glowing lights and their reflections shimmering across the water of the pool. Looking out at the Caribbean Sea you can hear the gentle lap of waves against the shore giving a magical atmosphere and ambience of peace, tranquillity and pure relaxation that will make your senses tingle.

Schooner Bay Sales Office, Barbados.
Tel: (246) 432 4700
Fax: (246) 422 6433 .
email: sales@schoonerbay.com.

Sales Office open Monday to Friday, Weekends by appointment only.

Schooner Bay UK Office, Bath.
Tel: +44 (0)1225 310572.
email: lisa@strickland-clarke.com