The Tropical Dream

• A secluded paradise but close to beaches and amenities

  A secluded paradise but close to beaches and amenities

  • Guest Dave S
  • Date of stay 04/28/13
  • Review Submitted 05/21/13
  We had anticipated our visit for over a year as for our last 2012 Antigua holiday, Bamboo Cottage was already booked. We were not disappointed for our Spring 2013 return to the Island. The Cottage was just as advertised, fully equipped and a delight to live in, the only small negative being the less than fully private upstairs toilet which was OK for us but may not suit all. Joanne is a superb host and ever attentive without being intrusive. The cleaning (and gardening) services were without fault. As a long term resident of Antigua, Joanne knows all that needs to be known to assist her visitors in a pleasant and relaxing stay. She helped us with our prospective house hunting too! The environs of the Cottage garden borders provide almost total privacy giving a stay in the Cottage a real feel of a secluded paradise - with humming bird accompaniment. The upstairs bedroom balcony has views over the harbour too! The enticing pool ensures a relaxing and cooling moment at any time of the day! Of course, the Cottage is in reality very close to all the delights of Falmouth and English harbours, and easily reached from the main Falmouth approach road. It provided an ideal base for full Antigua exploration, using the nearby restaurants and bars, or simply finding the nearest secluded and often empty beaches for which Antigua is so well known. It was Antigua Sailing week while we were there, so some may not have appreciated the late night music echoing across the Bay...but hey....we knew and expected that. It was part of our great holiday. Thanks Joanne for a great start to our holiday...we thoroughly recommend this place, and bigger groups should consider renting her 2 bedroom apartment in her house ground floor too!

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thank you for the reveiw, it was a pleasure meeting you both and I look forward to seeing you again and sharing a glass of wine. Take care Joanne

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• Truly a "Tropical Dream"

  Truly a "Tropical Dream"

  • Guest Sue and Kevin
  • Date of stay 02/20/13
  • Review Submitted 03/10/13
  This was the first time my husband and I did not go to an all inclusive resort and it was by far the best vacation we have ever had. What a beautiful treasure we stumbled upon....thank you so much Joanne for choosing to share this amazing property with others and for all your support during our stay. You are an awesome host and a lovely person. For those of you who are contemplating a vacation here, don't hesitate, the cottage is very cozy and the garden is stunning. It was so nice to swim every morning before having our coffee on the veranda while watching all the birds and lizards. Then off to the most pristine secluded beaches we have ever seen. Joanne was extremely helpful as far as suggesting things to see and do on the island so you can do lots or you can just chill out. A vehicle is a must, preferably a 4X4 if you want to tour this amazing island. This was such an awesome experience we are already planning our return next year.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Kevin & Sue It was a pleasure meeting & sharing with you, thank you so much. I do look forward to seeing you both again next year. See you soon!! All the best, take care. Jo

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• Charming cottage

  Charming cottage

  • Guest Nancy K.
  • Date of stay 01/06/13
  • Review Submitted 02/05/13
  Lovely cottage living up to it's description. Very clean, comfortably outfitted, delightful garden and porch. Nothing better than breakfast on the front porch in the company of the hummingbirds and bananaquiks. Joanne our host was very helpful. Offered to get supplies in for our first breakfast because we would be arriving on a Sunday (stores closed). She got wonderful items and bonus treats, especially produce and fruit. Throughout the week she offered great tips on places to go. Swimming pool is great too, very quiet and relaxing. As light sleepers, we had to find a solution to the tree frogs and neighbourhood barking dogs, but we did and then slept well. A very nice and relaxing week. Thanks so much Joanne. Nancy & Peter Toronto, Canada

  Owner response: Nancy and Peter, thank you, I enjoyed meeting you both and am glad that you enjoyed the cottage. Take care Joanne

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Relaxing stay, excellent Honeymoon, perfect location!

  Relaxing stay, excellent Honeymoon, perfect location!

  • Guest Blaise
  • Date of stay 01/13/13
  • Review Submitted 01/24/13
  Joanne was incredibly understanding and very helpful at almost any time of the day. very willing to give recommendations, and her restaurant ideas were great. The property was absolutely gorgeous, and it was very difficult when it came time to leave. The front porch makes the perfect spot to eat meals, relax and enjoy the weather and surroundings. Located very near to the harbor and several good supermarkets, getting almost anything was quite convenient. We found the cottage to be the perfect size and it had an excellent layout. privacy that the garden brings was excellent. Joanne grew most of the trees from seed, and she designed the layout spectacularly. Thanks to Joanne for a great week, and we will definitely consider returning in the future.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Blaise, Thank you for the reveiw, I wish you both all the best and look forward to having you back again for more adventures in Antigua. Take care. Joanne

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Rustic Tropical Ambiance

  Rustic Tropical Ambiance

  • Guest OHKim
  • Date of stay 11/21/12
  • Review Submitted 11/23/12
  My husband and I ended our week on Antigua with a few days at the Bamboo Cottage. I sit here this morning drinking coffee on the porch, surrounded by beautiful tropical vegetation & watching the birds and lizards feed. The pool is really nice, very clean and surrounded by tropical plants. Joanne is a wonderful host, providing fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh squeezed juice and great recommendations for beaches to visit and places to dine in the area. The cottage is very clean and comfortable and Joanne made us feel very welcome. We hope to return soon!

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Kim & Doug, it was nice meeting you, I look forward to seeing you both again but for longer next time. Thank you for the review especially while you were still here. Take care Joanne

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Fabulous Stay

  Fabulous Stay

  • Guest Caren
  • Date of stay 10/20/12
  • Review Submitted 10/28/12
  Had an awesome time, thanks Joanne for the best time ever!!! the cottage is perfect. Joanne is the best with the perfect information. Love Antigua, the tropical cottage and will be back soon!!!

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, pet owners, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: It was a pleasure and I look forward to the return which I think should be longer. Thank you and take care. All the best Joanne

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Perfect Getaway! Will be back...

  Perfect Getaway! Will be back...

  • Guest Scott R.
  • Date of stay 11/26/11
  • Review Submitted 07/22/12
  Bamboo Cottage, Antigua (Falmouth Harbour), and Joanne's hospitality surpassed all expectations and was one our best vacations ever! The cottage is very private, clean, fully stocked, and set in a beautiful garden. We loved evenings in the hammock on the deck and early morning swims. There is a nice beach about 5 minutes away but the highlight of our trip was the beach at Rendezvous Bay. It is only accessible by 4x4, but we had the entire bay to ourselves for most of the days. There is amazing hiking along the coast a short drive from the cottage and great waterfront seafood restaurants (Sunra was our fav). I also recommend a private sailing charter - Joanne has lots of great recommendations.

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Scott, thank you for the review, so pleased that you enjoyed the cottage and Antigua, I look forward to seeing you both again, Take care. Joanne

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Beautiful Property and Amazing Hospitality!

  Beautiful Property and Amazing Hospitality!

  • Guest Gerry
  • Date of stay 05/19/12
  • Review Submitted 06/22/12
  My wife and I had a wonderful time in Antigua, especially at Bamboo Cottage. For those travelers who aren't into "touristy" resorts and like to be more independent, this is the perfect spot. Joanne's hospitality was above and beyond, and we felt at home during our one week stay. Not only did she provide us daily directions around the island, but had excellent recommendations for dining and activities. If we ever have the good fortune of coming back, we would definitely stay here...thanks again Joanne!

  Recommended for: Families with young children, age 55+, romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Gerry , thank you for the review, it was a pleasure meeting you and Florence, hopefully I will see you again sometime in the future. Take care Joanne

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Antigua Classics Week 2012

  Antigua Classics Week 2012

  • Guest Dayrell
  • Date of stay 04/18/12
  • Review Submitted 05/30/12
  This was a beautiful property in a fantastic location. A great mix of local flavor and holiday accommodation. We defo plan to stay again. Thanks so much! Best regards, Pete

  Recommended for: Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thank you Pete for your review, Take care and look forward to seeing you again in the near future. Joanne

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Keep Rendezvous Bay Wild!

  Keep Rendezvous Bay Wild!

  • Guest Nate
  • Date of stay 03/08/12
  • Review Submitted 05/27/12
  Perhaps it is said that the south side of Antigua is undeveloped, but in my opinion that's all the more reason to stay with Joanne Lighthizer in either of her charming rental properties just a few minutes from Falmouth Harbor. We stayed in both the main house and Bamboo Cottage as a result of our travel plans and Joanne's accommodating nature. She is a charming hostess, helpful with tips, fresh fruit and vegetables, and she brought us the most delicious tuna steaks from her other occupation, organizer of farmer's markets. I'd advise you to walk the last 500 meters to Rendezvous Bay and not drive over the last rocky bluff; either way, you've found paradise. Bring plenty of water and a picnic, plus your snorkeling gear. A short walk from Joanne's is a grocery store; across the parking lot are a restaurant and a fresh seafood vendor; walk or drive a bit further and there is a bakery that turns into a pizza restaurant at night. But on the night we planned on casual seafood, we explored down to the marina and decided after a long chat in a bar with a seafaring English doctor named Russell that we'd stay and eat at Cambusa. This was the best meal of the trip, though we were underdressed for the coolness of the ocean breezes and European semi-formality of the wealthy yacht-owner clientele. Wear a light sweater around your neck to fit in. Other highlights of the trip were a day at Half-Moon Bay on the southeast coast, getting lost in the island's interior, giving the politest schoolchildren ever a ride to their village, buying dinner to go from a couple of lovely women who informed us that the road we we on would in fact not take us over the mountain range that rises behind Falmouth Harbor...try the local food. The rice with beans is great. It was all great! For some reason my wife would like to visit other places on vacation, but I really can't understand why. It is my hope that we return again and again to Antigua and stay with Joanne if she'll have us. I don't see why not, except that we kind of broke her beach umbrella trying to stick it into the white coral sands of Tranquility Bay. (Don't go there; it's pretty from a distance,but it's a pain to find the access road and there's no visibility in the water.) Well, as they say in Antigua, ONE LOVE, people. You'll feel it once you see Rendezvous Bay. Thanks again, Joanne!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, girls getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.

  Owner response: Thank you so much for your review. It was a pleasure meeting you and I do look forward to seeing you both again one day. Take care Joanne

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

Nov 15, 2009-May 16, 2010 .. $150/night .. $1000/week
May 17, 2010-Nov 14, 2010 .. $125/night .. $ 800/week
Rates include up to 2 guests. $25/night for additional guests.
Discounts given for monthly booking.
Discount given for rental of both units.
Rate increase for  Antigua Sailing Week and Christmas
Minimum rental 5 nights.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.