• sun and surf

  sun and surf

  • Guest sunny
  • Date of stay 02/17/12
  • Review Submitted 03/08/12
  This property is great for a couple who would like to get away from it all. It really suits those people who would like to swim, snorkel, walked the endless miles of deserted beach and enjoy the sun and warmth. The cottage is very quaint and rustic. It is clean and for the most part maintained. A few things need a bit of up dating but it is cozy. You would need a car to get groceries or sight see. The caretaker is very accommodating and helpful and it is pleasant to get together with the other cottage tenants to share island tips. The beach bars that are within walking distance are fun to visit for lunch or drinks near the beach. Lucaya National Park is worth a visit. The beach is sparkling turquoise. Paradise Cove has a great snorkel reef. Be sure to go at high tide and you can rent Rx lenses. It would be a great idea to be able to borrow a bike to cycle into Port Lucaya as just around as the island is flat and easy to ride especially if you did not have a car and you were happy not to go far from home. We had a great time and would recommend it to couples who want something different. The bigger cottages would be great for a family gathering or a group of friends.

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

• Simple, sweet, picturesque with nearby beach

  Simple, sweet, picturesque with nearby beach

  • Guest MJ
  • Date of stay 03/24/11
  • Review Submitted 04/10/11
  My husband and I spent 5 nights in the Sea Shell which is newly renovated with all the amenities you need...You do need to rent a car to get around. However, there are a few restaurants walk distance if you don't mind taking long walks on the beach to get to them by foot...It's a wonderful place to get away just for the peace and quiet if that is what you choose. There is Bahama Bay Restaurant about a 20 - 25 min walk left of our beach gate. Good food, good service, decent price. From the right of our gate there is Margarita's Bar a few yards...they have great burgers and drinks...price is up there a bit. Or with a car rental you can do a little shopping at a local grocery store and purchase a few things for the kitchen. It's a tiny fridge so don't get too much. You may want a cooler (which Gladys may offer) to hold some things. Watch out for ants. We did have a problem with ants but they were mostly outside where the kitchen is. (The kitchenette has a small fridge and sink. A shelf under the window looking into our room and a shelf over the sink which holds a small toaster oven and a coffee maker-which we brought inside-she doesn't offer coffee fixings-you'd have to buy all of it-cream & sugar). It comes with kitchenware including dish towels. The kitchenette is like it's out on a porch but has a small wall with a window to protect it. It's enough to be protected from rain or wind. Inside there are tiled floors which felt somewhat gritty so I would ask for a drop rug (which I wanted to suggest to Gladys, the owner). It has a fan over the bed and we did see an air conditioner but never needed. It could use cafe curtains instead of regular curtains otherwise you felt you needed to keep them closed for privacy if you stayed in long enough. We were offered a grill but had to "borrow" our neighbors if they weren't using it because our grill did not work. Gladys left the next day so we didn't see her the entire stay. We met her-she is very nice. If you want to head to Port Lucaya Market you will definitely need a car! We rented from Millie's...they were great (recommended by another B & B that we stayed at). FYI...you will be driving on the opposite side of the road if you are from the US and most likely the steering wheel will be on the opposite side as well...it's not bad ;)) Diamonds By the Sea was a really nice place to stay and IF we were to visit Freeport, Grand Bahamas again this is where we would stay but probably in one of the other cottages

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+.

  Owner response: Thank you so much for your review of the Sea Shell Studio and the entire property at Diamonds bythe Sea. I appreciate you constructive suggestions and comments and will certainly take you up on the cafe Curtains, splendid idea!!!! So sorry we were not on the island for your short stay, duty calls and we had to leave; needless to say I myself love being here at Diamonds and enjoy the property and my guests very much. Hopefully you will vist again, you were great guests, and would love to have you stay again. Come back with your family and stay in the Lilac or Key Lime or even the Topaz; and the BBQs will definitly be working in those cottages as they are Gas, the Studio has charcoal, but I will get a small gas tank for it as well. Ants are a nuisance in the islands, but we do try and control them, but again sometimes they do get out of hand. Just mention it and we will take care of it right away, we want our guests happy, relaxed and to return!!!!! Glad you enjoyed and looking forward to having you again soon. Sincerely, Gladys

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Great vacation rental, wonderful vacation

  Great vacation rental, wonderful vacation

  • Guest Danny
  • Date of stay 03/26/10
  • Review Submitted 12/01/10
  In March 2010, my husband and I returned from a wonderful 10 day stay at the Sea Shell Studio. The studio is a very clean, bright and cheery space with a small sitting area and a breakfast nook. We love to cook and the kitchen was small but well stocked with dishes, blender, coffee pot, fridge, microwave and hot plate. We also had use of a gas BBQ. If you do not like to cook, you are a15 minute drive from the Port Lucayan Marketplace which has quite the night life and a great selection of restaurants and bars. The studio is surrounded by beautiful flowering plants and shrubs which provide privacy. And the best is that you are a two minute walk to a beautiful, sandy beach with a glorious view of the sea. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are also provided. Gladys, the owner was a wonderful hostess providing us with great insider information about places to eat and local events and activities. We would highly recommend this vacation rental and look foward to returning.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/7

$125/Night
$750/Week 25% increase over Xmas and New Year
$75 cleaning at departure
US$1600/month
$5/day extra for electricity for any stay over 1 week

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