What are your rates and
do you have availability?
What form of payment do
you accept?
We accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards, cash (Bahamian or US dollars), wire transfer or traveler’s checks. Cheques cannot be accepted.
Is a deposit required?
A 50% deposit is required for a rental period of two weeks or less. The deposit can be paid by credit card (VISA or MasterCard), or by wire transfer.
A 25% deposit is required for rental periods greater than two weeks.
What is your cancellation
policy?
In the event of a cancellation
we will refund the deposit if we are able to find an alternate tenant
for that period. If we are unable to find a tenant the deposit will not
be refunded.
When do I pay?
A deposit is required to secure
reservations, as detailed above. Payment in full is required upon arrival.
Are there seasonal rates?
We do not offer seasonal rates,
however if things are slow, we are willing to negotiate.
Is there a different rate
for single occupancy?
Do your rates include
all taxes and utilities?
The rates include all charges
except calls outside North America.
Check in is at 3:00 pm. Check
out is at 11:00 am. Special requests are usually honored.
Can keys be collected early?
Keys can be collected at check
in time only, upon receipt of full payment.
Are you willing to exchange
properties?
We would consider this, given
the limitations of coordinating schedules and the suitability of the property
being offered.
What is the best way to get there? How do I get from the airport?
Click here for a map of the house in relation to the airport.
If you catch a cab ask them to drive to Orange Hill Inn, and then continue west towards Gambier Village, stopping at the ninth house west of Orange Hill Inn. It is the first turning on the right after Orange Hill Inn, there are three transformers on the utility pole by the turn. Take the turning and park behind the western property. This is Orchard Villas.
Please note that whilst we are close to the airport, we do not hear air traffic.
Click here for a screen size map. Click to download a Large JPEG (1mb showing the island) or a PDF (750kb additionally showing points of interest).
What facilities does the villa offer?
The villa has is completely self-sufficient, and includes everything you would find in a normal home. You'll find all linens and towels, the kitchen is complete, and the living area has a stereo, DVD equipped TV, wireless broadband connection, both local and international phones, and fax machine. The Bahamas uses the same electrical voltage, cycles and plugs as the United States. The villa has an 8'6" deep pool and is very close to the beach. If you have any special requests, please ask.
How close is the beach?
The house overlooks the beach
which is at the bottom of the garden across the road, so it is not sitting
on the sand but almost. The beach has discreet access and a lovely wind
sheltered alcove where you can sit behind the sea-grape trees. The beach
is 15 feet from the garden, about 100 feet from the bedrooms, and is accessed
through a gate in the fence. It is one of the prettiest beaches in New
Providence, and is popular with local families. You may have seen the
beach in Thunderball, Lenny Kravitz videos or commercials.
Is the beach private?
Whilst access to the beach is
privately owned, it is open to the public. The beach is very quite.
How big is the beach?
The beach is about one mile
long.
What’s public transport
like?
There are two bus routes that
go by about every hour. Both go downtown and cost about 75¢.
How is the taxi service?
Some guests have had great service,
and typically call the same driver when they require a ride.
Is a car necessary?
Not necessary, but Nassau is
best enjoyed with your own transport. We would not recommend renting a
scooter.
Which hire car company do
you recommend?
How close is downtown?
How far are you from Cable Beach?
How far is Atlantis?
Downtown is seven miles east and on the same road, Bay Street. Tow bus routes go directly there. These buses pass Cable Beach en route.
Cable Beach Resorts is 4 miles east of the villa.
Atlantis is 8 3/4 miles away, about a half hour by car.
What activities can we do?
Nassau offers a wide range of
options. Click here for a map showing
the location of many activities. We are located at point 20, Orange Hill
Beach. We recommend that everyone who visits go on the Powerboat Adventures day out to Exuma.
How far are amenities (stores, health care etc.)?
The Gourmet Market food store
is a short walk down the beach, as is the liquor store. The supermarket
is two miles away. There is a hospital and pharmacy down the beach.
Which restaurants and bars
are close by?
We are close to Cable Beach.
These guides provide reviews, locations and contact details for restaurants;
WhatsOnBahamas.com (use the listings search for Nassau ->
Dining)
Westwind Recommendations
(a Cable Beach timeshare’s page)
Click here for
a site no name, but it’s a great resource.
The closest restaurants we recommend
are Travelers Rest (GREAT daiquiris), Compass Point (great for star spotting),
Villaggio, Mangoes, Silver Moon (all three are in the Caves Village shops located 1/4 mile away) Poop Deck (West),
Sandyport Beach BBQ, Provence and Johnny Canoe. There
are many bars tucked away in the area. Our favorite and the best restaurant
in Nassau is Cafe Matisse and
the most breath-taking view is from Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Dune at the Ocean Club. For the Stars night out try Nobu or Mesa Grill, followed by Aura in Atlantis.
Is a baby sitting service
available?
We can provide some phone contacts
if necessary.
How can we do laundry?
There is a washer and dryer
in the villa.
What business facilities
are available? Do you have Internet access?
There is high speed (3 mb per
sec, 24/7) Internet access, unlimited calls to North America, and a fax line. Wireless Internet access extends around the property.
Is there a TV and stereo?
A TV with cable, VHS and DVD
is supplied in the living room, as well as a stereo with CD, tape and
radio. The east bedroom also has cable TV.There is a CD, radio alarm clock
as well.
Does the villa come with
a pool? Is the pool fresh water or salt water?How deep is the pool?
There is a well kept fresh water
pool, with a 3’6” level and a 8’6” level, holding
25,000 gallons. The pool has no special protection for children and use
of the area is at your own risk.
How is the snorkeling and
diving?
There are a number of reefs
close by, with the drop off to VERY deep water a half mile off shore.
There are many types of fish schooling around the area. Nassau
Scuba Center pick-up guests from
Orange Hill Inn daily for diving trips. Stuart
Cove's is one of the most popular dive trips in the world.
How is the fishing?
Bonefish, snappers and bait
fish are all around the beach area. Local fishermen use a Cuban style
hand line and cast nets to fish the beach.25lb to 80lb tuna are caught
regularly by trawling just beyond the drop-off a half mile off-shore.
There are a number of charter fishing companies locally such as Brown’s and Hunter Charters.
Is dockage available?
Boats can be docked at Lyford
Cay Yacht Harbour phone number 242 362 4131 out west or downtown Hurricane
Hole Marina 242 363 3600 & Nassau Yacht Haven 242 393 8173.
Describe the layout.
The main living room is open
plan and has a kitchen, dining and living room. Below the main living
area is the laundry, a large storage area and a bathroom. The main room
offers ceiling and floor fans, but is not air conditioned.
The bedrooms are in two separate
building to the south of main area, all of which are connected by covered
eves. Each bedroom has a loft, and its own bathroom. The east bedroom
has a private courtyard. The bedrooms feature ceiling fans and quiet air
conditioners.
Are both villas available
for rent?
Only the west villa is rented.
How many people does the
villa accommodate? How many beds are there? How many beds are there in
each bedroom?
There are two bedrooms, each
with a loft area. The eastern bedroom has a queen bed, a futon couch,
and a queen bed in the loft. The western bedroom has a queen bed, and
a futon couch. There are no curtains or dividers separating the lofts.
The living room is not designed to provide sleeping arrangements, although
you are welcome to sleep there. We have had ten people sleep here before,
however you would all need to know each other well.
How many square feet is
the villa?
The villa is 2,500 sq ft with
covered balconies adding additional living area.
How do you reach the lofts?
There are yacht style fold away
ladders to the lofts.
Are there roll-away beds?
There are no roll away beds,
however the futon couches fold out and are comfortable.
Is it appropriate for children?
Guests with children have told
us that it is. There has been no special provision made in the design
and finish of the house, and you bring them at your own risk. They are
very welcome however, and will find plenty to do.
Is there any anywhere else
other parties can stay nearby?
There are two inns close by.
Orange
Hill Inn is the closest, a short walk
down the beach. Compass Point is the most comfortable, about a mile away.
Is the property accessible
by wheelchair?
Only the bedrooms can be accessed
from the car park level. There are steps down from the car park to the
pool area, and from the bedrooms to the main living area. The pool area
and living area are on the same level. The basement area is only accessible
by steps.
Is there a bath or only
showers?
The west bedroom has a shower.
The east bedroom has both a tub and a shower.
Is it safe?
There has never been a break
in or incident since the property was built eight years ago. We consider
the area and the property to be safe and comfortable.
How private is the property?
The distance from the buildings
is enough for complete privacy and no neighboring houses overlook the
property.
Does anyone else stay there?
Do you live on property?
We live in the house next door
on the other side of the pool approx. 60ft away. Only the west villa is
rented so there are no other guests.
Will the pool have to be
shared with strangers?
The
pool is shared with ourselves, however we rarely use it (much like the
beach). No one else has access, and it is raised above the beach allowing
for privacy. Their are private sun bathing areas as well.