There is no question that the appeal of Barbados as a tourist destination has grown by leaps and bounds in the last several years. One west coast hotelier whose property is currently seeing 89% occupancy in June in the off-peak season attributes his success to recent renovations and the growing awareness of Barbados’ fantastic beaches and sophistication. But all is not well on the west coast of Barbados as small hotels and traditional guest houses are disappearing to make way for upmarket luxury resorts and condo complexes. The upshot of this development is that many people who once vacationed on the west coast can no longer afford to do so. To fill the void a small number of vacation rental homes which have survived the lure of developer cash are providing an affordable alternative to the luxury condos and resorts.

Chattel Jentillia is one of those homes which have survived and it offers visitors a unique perspective and experience of what a vacation on one of the most famous beaches in Barbados - Mullins Beach - can truly be. Built in the 1950s and recently extensively renovated, Chattel Jentillia, as it’s name suggests, is a fine example of the world-famous Barbados chattel house. Its owners have immigrated to the United States but return several times a year to this treasured spot for rest, reflection and to have an old-fashioned, jolly, good time on the beach. When they are not using the property they have joined millions of other second-home owners and the like in the growing trend of offering their homes as vacation rentals.

One recent reviewer in a leading newspaper in the US commenting on the trend in an article titled -“Vacation rental homes offer a unique experience” states - “With a house rental, we get a kitchen, and the more we use it, the more money we save. We usually get some kind of yard, so having a pet -- if the owner approves -- is more viable. The more family and friends we invite along -- and that's a big part of the fun -- the greater the economies of scale.” And, that pretty much sums it up for a place like Chattel Jentillia and its location on one of Barbados’ best beaches - you get more bang for the “vacation” buck!

Click here to review and book Chattel Jentillia.

A recent episode of the popular ABC reality TV show, ‘The Bachelor,’ was recently filmed on the beach behind Chattel Jentillia here in the Mullins Bay area. The “bachelor party” actually took place at The Great House villa which is only one property over from Jentillia on the beach. This high-end luxury villa shares the same stretch of beach as Jentillia but actually rents for between US$7-12K per night depending on the time of year. At those rates it is pretty much guaranteed that only celebrities and the very wealthy vacation at this hideaway. The upshot of this is that guests of Jentillia are not only staying on a very exclusive spot on Barbados’ Platinum Coast, but they have the same beach access for a mere fraction of what it costs others - not even to mention the to-die-for opportunities for celebrity spotting. It is not unusual to wake up to find a big photo shoot going on in front of you on the beach as was also the case very recently.