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This is only the 5th year of availability as a rental for this newly built Bahamian-style cottage with all the amenities for a totally laid back vacation on the South End of Great Guana Cay. The house has stunning Atlantic and Sea of Abaco views. There is a screened-in porch surrounding the main living area. The beach is an easy walk and it is very beautiful. The two bedrooms also each have their own
private bathroom. There is also an outdoor shower.
We have been visiting the Abacos for almost 20 years now. We just love the perfect weather, the slow pace and the beautiful ocean environment. We talked about buying a place for almost a decade, then we finally decided the time was right and bought our property in 2004, hoping to build a cottage before we retired. As it turned out, we just couldn't wait that long. Chris started going back and forth to build the place in 2006. He worked on it every winter, staying in the unfinished shell, until we finished it in 2010. We named it after our granddaughter, Willoughby (pictured). When we are looking for friends and entertainment we head into the settlement, but we built our cottage with entertaining in mind, and it is a fantastic gathering spot. When we retire we plan to split our time between southern Maine and Great Guana Cay. In the meantime, we continue to make more awesome memories with family and friends during our frquent trips to Guana!
Chris and Karen purchased this Cottage in 2010
We have rented at least a dozen places in Abaco since we discovered the place, so by the time we decided to built, we knew exactly what we wanted. We didn't want to be in Marsh Harbor due to the traffic and the crowds. We also knew that we wanted someplace quieter than Elbow Cay. Tilloo and Lubbers are pretty, but we needed a place with good ferry service and a pretty settlement with the basic amenities such as grocery, hardware and liquor stores, a few friendly bars and restaurants, good dockage, a great beach and places to rent a boat. We especially enjoy snorkeling, and Guana has one of the longest and most colorful barrier reefs in the Bahamas, just off shore from miles of quiet sandy beaches where you will seldom if ever see another person. Our home has a nice open and spaceous floor plan. Since we're on top of the hill, we have beautiful views and a wonderful breeze. Each bedroom is a full suite with its own private full bathroom. We especially enjoy cooking and entertaining, so our kitchen was built with both in mind with plenty of countertops, modern appliances and a dining table that can seat eight people comforably.
The south end of Guana Cay is a very special place. It's like a little slice of the old Bahamas, located far off the beaten path about two miles south of the settlement. On the north end of the island, cars are whizzing by just outside your windows. In the settlement itself, the sounds and smells of bars and restaurants are hard to escape. The south end of the island on the other hand, is a different world. There are no cars or paved roads, only golf carts, so it's very quiet. You can hear the birds and the crashing surf. Little Bee is on the highest point on the south end with commanding 300 degree views of the Sea of Abaco, the big Atlantic and Scotland Cay. There is a nearly constant ten knot trade wind that blows through the house. Climb into one of the Brazilian hammocks on the porch and you will be transported to another time. Walk to one of two beautiful beaches nearby in a few minutes, or just down the hill to our dock on the Sea of Abaco. We have stayed in too many small, cramped, cottages over the years, so when it came time to build our own, we took pains to make the place as spacious as possible. The soaring 20 foot ceilings in the great room give the kitchen, dining and living rooms a tremendous open feeling. Wide decks and screened porches go all the way around the house for entertaining, sunbathing and dining. We live on the porches almost as much as we do the living room and kitchen. Even the bedrooms have high ceilings and four big windows, so the cool breeze and the sound of the crashing surf is there to lull you to sleep every night.
Check-in: Flexible
Check-out: Flexible
100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date. You must contact the owner directly to request cancellation.
Could not be a more peaceful and tranquil place.
Thanks very much David. We hope you will come back again. Our neighbors enjoyed meeting you too. Please let us know if you ever get up to Maine and say hi to Katie and Joe for us too. Best regards, Chris and Karen
I have all good things to say, cannot say too much otherwise the home won't be available , hahaha.. thank you for keeping it affordable so people like me can still vacation on Guana!!
World class snorkeling, perfect weather, quiet and private, 24 hour breeze and the house is spacious and comfortable with a killer view. We have made our reservations for next year already!
Robin said it all. Wonderful place. We also fished off the small dock and caught a few Grunts , fun. Went to the municipal beach up north, beautiful!! Very calm waters and we were the only ones there-on a Saturday! Even hummingbirds swarming the feeder, more fun watching those little guys.
Thanks Chris for all the good advice .
Loved everything except coming back to Cleveland weather.
We spent 10 lovely days at Little Bee, located on the South Side of Great Guana. Communications with the owners were good throughout the planning and visit. We spent the first night at the Conch Inn in Marsh Harbour. We did this because it's a long day and we wanted to visit Maxwells to stock up on groceries and the stock up on beverages from the Liquor store. It was nice not having to rush around.
A golf cart we reserved ahead of time was waiting for us at GG dock as well as Jackie to help with our luggage and guide us to Little Bee.
Looking back on all the cottages/beach houses we stayed at in the Bahamas Little Bee is number one. The cottage sits just above the trees with fabulous views of the ocean and the Sea of Abaco. A good part of the deck is screened in. This is huge as flies and no-seeums can be an annoyance when the winds have calmed. But we pretty much had a constant breeze throughout our stay so all the doors stayed open. The open layout of the cottage made it feel spacious. ALL the furniture was super comfortable! You can sit in or out and the views will make you smile.
I was a bit concerned about not being directly on the beach but given the atmosphere of the cottage and view and the close proximity to the beaches it didn't matter what so ever. This place is a winner! We loved driving around on the little roads and two tracks as well as exploring by foot. The restaurants in the settlement are all very good albeit a bit expensive. Our favorite is at Orchid Bay Marina. Our last night we spent watching a gorgeous sunset and enjoying a lovely dinner.
I do wish there was recycling on the island. The plastic that washes ashore (probably from the states) is a sign that we really need to do better.
So go, rent, relax and enjoy! Thanks Chris and Karen for sharing your piece of paradise.
Hi Robin. Thanks for your nice review! Karen and I are looking forward to getting back down for the rest of the winter. It was great to have you, and we hope you will come back again next year. Warm Regards, Chris and Karen
Great cottage in an amazing location. The cottage has an excellent design with its two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, beautiful great room/kitchen/dining and relaxation area, and wonderful wrap around deck, which has beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean, Sea of Abaco, and Scotland Cay. The nearby beach is beautiful, nearly empty of people most of the time, and offers great swimming, and snorkeling on a reef teeming with life. The property owner and property caretaker were both excellent to work with.
Dive Guana, located in the settlement, has a full range of boats for rent. They also conduct snorkel and scuba diving tours. One of the most popular destination beach bars in the Bahamas, Nippers, is located on Guana Cay. Every Sunday is the pig roast, which attracts boaters from all over the region for good food and a great time. Little Bee cottage is about two miles from the settlement, so a golf cart is recommended. We walk to town for exercise every day, but wouldn't want to do that with groceries or suitcases. Banks and medical clinics are located in Marsh Harbour which is a 30 minute ferry ride from Guana Cay.
No reservation is confirmed until your deposit is received and acknowledged. A rental agreement will be sent when deposit is received, to be signed and returned with your payment balance. We do have a cancellation policy that is included in the agreement. We would be happy to send you a copy with your inquiry.