Quite frankly, if I had my own beach house, this is
how I’d want it to be: Private, comfortable and serenely quiet.
By Kylie MacKenzie
Poolside Euro-chic
Understated elegance, personalized service and gracious indulgence are indeed the hallmarks of The House, an intimate, 34-suite, adult sanctuary on Paynes Bay in St. James. And, despite what one reviewer has said, it’s not at all stuffy—just somewhat Euro-chic for guests such as the “Marquise” who checks in with her doting younger hubby or the elegant grande-dame who dons pasties to sunbathe poolside.
Minimalist décor graces The House’s lavish outdoor living room, which extends from the “feel right at home” lobby to the pool. Interior designers’ hallmark splashes of boldness set the tone for a gentile meets comfort flair. Spacious guest suites boast a mod-retro
simplicity: Two full bathrooms and double balconies with plunge pools keep the same well-heeled couples, who are on a first-name basis with the staff, returning year after year.
On the house…
Our youthful 24-hour service ambassador welcomes us, promising an indulging 30 minute jet-lag massage, champagne with breakfast each morning and after-noon tea at 4pm. Strangely enough, we never hear of or see him again, but his gracious colleagues recover nicely and indulge us with everything from sunscreen to cocktails and chilled fruit lollies. The in-house “beach boys” cheer us on to try stand-up paddle boarding and a banana boat ride (be ready for a bit of a pounding). Snorkelling off the reef, which incidentally turns out to be one of the best we’ve discovered, is the highlight, with fish aplenty right off the beach. And there’s a ‘toes-in-the-sand’ dinner at Daphne’s next door and sunset sailing in the warm breezes of the Caribbean Sea.
The House—definitely a place to call home for a week or two!
