| Date | Rating | Comment
[Guest Comments: 25 positive, 0 negative]
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| 12/01/09 |
Positive
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We loved Shell Villa! In fact we really wanted to explore the island while
we were there but we had a hard time pulling ourselves away from the deck,
the view, the breezes and the sound of the waves at your house. It was
really great. Also we loved the whole set up and really enjoyed the kitchen.
It was indeed very well stocked so we had a great time cooking. My husband
John even did a little cooking (which he never does at home).
By the way, we thought that the house and the setting were even nicer in real life than it looks in the photos. We were really pleased!
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Jessie Price |
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| 10/25/09 |
Positive
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| We had an absolutely wonderful time at Shell Villa. We wished we could have stayed more than one week though. The home was spectacular in every way. I can't express how wonderful the views were all throughout the day. We had a couple days when Montserrat was clear as a bell and others not so much. We rented a jeep and explored pretty much every inch of the island. Our two young boys enjoyed snorkeling at multiple beaches everyday!! Every morning we got to start a new adventure. We didn't do a whole lot of eating out except for Sweet T's down the road. Good stuff. We chose to stock up on groceries and cook out every night. The cooler came in handy for picnics during our daily adventures. The only place we didn't get to see is Rendezvous Beach. Never did get to meet Daphne because we were gone throughout the day. It was such a quiet and peaceful home and we couldn't have asked for anything else. |
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Caleb, Jacksonville, FL |
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| 01/10/09 |
Positive
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Words cannot explain what a wonderful time we had at Shell Villa. We all
thoroughly enjoyed our fortnight's stay and still miss the late night rum on the deck, watching the stars and listening to the water lapping gently against the rocks.
John and Jenny were so hospitable offering 5 star service and going out of their way to make our stay an enjoyable one.
Daphne the cleaner was a breath of fresh air. We enjoyed talking to her over a cup of tea, finding out all the local news and listening to her words of wisdom.
We had great fun exploring the island in our open top jeep (thanks to Manley at Dollar Rental). Rendezvous Beach was idyllic as was Half Moon Bay. We found the Antiguan people friendly and approachable and have especially fond memories of 'smiling' Harry and his beach bar at Half Moon Bay. We had lovely meals at Trapas and Abracadabra in English Harbour and the kitchen in Shell Villa was so well equipped that we enjoyed many a bbq in the outdoor dining area of the villa.
David and Jenny! We very much appreciate that Shell Villa is your second home and are grateful that you choose to share it. We would thoroughly recommend it as a holiday destination and look forward to being able to return one day. Diolch yn fawr!
Menna, Peter, Rebeca and Miriam Plassmann, Cardiff, GB - Wales |
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Anonymous |
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| 11/17/08 |
Positive
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Jenny and David,
We just got back last night from Antigua and I just wanted to send you a mail to thank you.
Thank you both for having created a wonderful and unique home from home.We loved your house and were blown away by the location and the view.Even in describing it to others or looking at pictures it just doesn't work you just have to be there.
I really had a great time in your house,we needed for nothing and counted our blessings ever night drinking our apéritif on your deck with the stars and the sea twinkling in the night.The children loved the pool and spent so much time in there that the ends of their blond hair turned green!(nothing that a bit of baking soda won't clear up).Sinéad the eldest girl loved the snorkeling and you are right the best snorkeling on the island is off Shell villas back deck. We were so lucky with the weather,we had sunshine every day and when it rained it was either in the morning or at night, except the day we left for the airport when there was flooding, flight late, missed connecting flight but that's all another story.
We tried out a lot of the365 beaches and I'm sure all of the roads (we did more than 1000km in the4x4!).We toured all around the island did all the touristy things and a little more.A great holiday was had by all and much of it is thanks to Shell Villa.
Bye for now, Breda and Bruno. |
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Dronne, Arcachon FRANCE
0033556831058 |
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| 07/05/08 |
Positive
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| We have previously stayed at 3 homes in St. John in the US Virgin Islands, but this home in Antigua was our favorite. The moment you open the gate and realize the incredible views and the privacy, you'll know you made a great choice. There is nothing like being this close to the water. The open air feeling of the house is wonderful, and the pool and deck are perfect. It may be hard to tear yourself away from the serenity of the house, but keep in mind that you'll be in close proximity to some beautiful sights. Would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a peaceful, tropical getaway. |
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B&B, Pennsylvania |
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| 06/19/08 |
Positive
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| Shell Villa is truly paradise.If you are looking for a special place to get away from it all, this is it. Our time there was in early June and the weather was perfect.We enjoyed a little bit of everything sunshine,morning showers and beautiful rainbows over the ocean. Accomadations are outstanding and very complete.When they say you only need your beach towel and sunscreen they mean it!!! The Stracks from OK USA |
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The Stracks |
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| 04/22/08 |
Positive
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Just a note to let you know we really enjoyed our stay in Antigua. Shell Villa is beautiful and John , Jenny & Daphne were just wonderful. The winds were up while we were there so snorkeling off the rocks was not possible. We did get to go fishing on Obsession and had a reat time catching 19 kingfish .
We took lots of pictures and are going thru them now. Pictures will help the memories last a long time.
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Butch Marofsky, Erie, PA
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| 03/25/08 |
Positive
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| We only stayed at Shell Villa for four nights but it was such a wonderful, relaxing time that it felt longer! We had high expectations from seing the pictures and reading the comments but I have to say that even so, we were overwhelmed with how wonderful Shell Villa was. The privacy, peaceful setting, view, layout of house, stocked kitchen and the deck were all increadible. What an awesome place! We will be back! |
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Kristina, Connecticut
(203)264-8851 |
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| 12/02/07 |
Positive
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You always worry that the pictures you see on the
Internet are not what you get when you arrive. But,
with Shell Villa, the opposite is true. Shell Villa is
absolutely wonderful. The privacy is wonderful. The views were spectacular, as promised, and the
sound of the surf so relaxing it was hard to take
time out to see anything else.
We could not believe how thoughtfully the home
had been stocked - everything from a cooler (with
ice packs in the freezer) for your picnics to
hammocks for relaxation. We would definitely stay
there again - it is better than any hotel I saw on the
island - and you have it all to yourself. |
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nancy , kerrville, texas
830-257-3723 |
|
| 08/01/07 |
Positive
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Our family has just returned from our stay at Shell Villa (July 2007) It is such a beautiful, serene spot. We were refreshed and revitalized when we left.
I think the most memorable of our experiences was taking a wrong turn on the way to Rendezvous Bay and ending up on a treacherous road that led to the top of a high hill. We loved Rendezvous Bay….what a great spot. It is probably the most beautiful beach on the island and we were the ONLY PEOPLE there!
Our teenage daughters enjoyed looking for tropical fish in the pools of ocean water and snorkeling. They loved Half Moon Bay...another lovely beach with waves big enough to ride. They also enjoyed relaxing in the pool in the evenings.
Although we were there in the off season there is still plenty to see and do...or you can stay at the villa and just relax.
I don't know of any other place where you can enjoy such privacy, comfort and beauty. We would definitely return.
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Jim, Jody, Jenah & Jocie, Connecticut, USA |
|
| 03/09/07 |
Positive
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| We enjoyed a three week stay from Mid January to Feb 5th, 2007. All we can say is that our time at Shell Villa was so good, that we have booked it for four weeks in March, 2008. Highly recommend this magical place. Absoulutely no problems, only great moments on the spacious new deck with our 2 and 3 year olds enjoying the stunning sunsets and patio side dinners! |
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Brad Esty, Park City, Utah |
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| 11/30/06 |
Positive
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We have made several trips to the Caribbean and
stayed in other houses and hotels. Without a doubt,
Shell Villa was our best by far. It has the comfort,
the views and the seclusion of a first-rate hotel and
yet being in the house feels so much like visiting a
well-loved family home. We had a wonderful two
weeks and we shall be back in the spring. Can't wait
to see that view of Montserrat and the volcano with
its plume of black smoke against the red evening
sky. David and Jenny, you have a wonderful home in
Antigua. |
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christine bowie, Killearn Stirlingshire UK |
|
| 11/24/06 |
Positive
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Shell Villa is unquestionably something very special.
The photos indicate that you are close to the sea.
When you get there you realise just how close! The
fact that you look out over rocks and not a sandy
beach is actually a great benefit, as the house,
notwithstanding its amazing seascape, remains
wonderfully private. There is a small sandy beach a
short walk away and other great beaches not far
off. The house is very well appointed, the beds are
very comfortable, the small pool is heavenly and
the new decking superb. It's hard to believe there
could be more relaxing locations in the world from
where to watch the sunset.
My wife, two children and I enjoyed a fantastic week
at Shell Villa. We arrived in something of a storm
and had some concerns about our ability to secure
the shutters and doors firmly. But this is clearly a
rare occurrence and for the remainder of the week
we had a blissfully peaceful time with lots of sun,
gently cooling breezes and a perpetual cocktail
hour!
Daphne is lovely. John and Jenny (who live way up
on the mountain where the view is just awesome)
were extremely helpful with the few generator
niggles we had.
All in all Shell Villa is just a great place to be and
somewhere that will remain in our dreams of
beautiful Antigua! |
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Bill Burridge
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| 08/24/06 |
Positive
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| We had a wonderfully relaxing time. The Hammock was sooo relaxing that we have decided to get one oursleves we know it will not be the same but it will bring back the happy memories - until we return to Shell Villa. The snorleking directly in front of the Villa was excellent, we saw all of the fish and coral referenced in one of the books in the Villa plus many others too! Daphne was marvellous - the place always looked as fantastic as the day we arrived after each of her visits and also for recommending the use of Aloe Vera for when my Sons shoulders were blistered from too much sun - the blisters disappearded in 24 hours!!! The Villa was well stocked upon our arrival I particularly aprreciated the can openner attached to the cool box , just in case we forgot (well I am a bloke so I would appreciate that sort of thing wouldn't I :-) )We would highly recommend Shell Villa to anyone!! |
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Bill Lang, Kent England
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| 07/26/06 |
Positive
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| My husband and I spent a week at Shell Villa-I am a travel agent and we take 1 to 2 trips every year so we have been to most of the caribbean islands and have also travelled extensively in Europe. I can honestly say that our trip to Antigua and especially to Shell Villa ranks as our favorite vacation by far. The house was impeccably clean,comfortable, stocked with everything you could possibly want or need, and has the most beautiful views. The snorkeling out front of the house was the best on the island. We were very lucky to witness the most amazing sunset with Montserrat smoking and the sky and ocean bathed in pink. This house is truely what dreams are made of!! thank you Jenny and David-can't wait to get back next year! |
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amy wood, kansas city missouri
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| 07/09/06 |
Positive
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The house was wonderful and well-appointed. The view was gorgeous. Insects were not much of an issue. We had a lovely vacation. The people of Antigua are friendly and well-mannered (except for the taxi drivers!). I would recommend your villa to anyone.
The drive to rendezvous bay was quite an experience. We didn't have a jeep, just a 4wd suv.
Thanks again |
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Anonymous |
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| 05/05/06 |
Positive
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We had a wonderful time at Shell Villa. We are a family of 5 with three girls from 3 to 7 years old. We all enjoyed the intimacy and beauty that the villa provides. The girls enjoyed the pool, the shell picking in front of the villa and thought their beds were princesses beds with the muskito nets. I guess it is impossible to explain how peaceful and beautilful the villa and surroundings are. We visited many beaches and they were all beautiful. The best one was Rendez-vous Beach (although to get there might be a challenge). We were alone on a magnificient beach with turquoise sea. Hard to beat!
Restaurants were also great. We liked Trapas with the kids, good and affordable. Abracadraba was also lovely. We loved the view and atmosphere of Harmony Hall but were a little dispointed with the food. I guess coming from Montreal makes us a little more demanding on food.
Overall a wonderful vacation, now that we have experienced renting villas, we don't want it any other way. It will be a difficult choice for us next year since we have a rule never to visit the same place twice (there is so many great places to see!!!) We might bend the rule for Shell Villa!
Thanks for sharing your home!
Sophie, Ray, Azelie, Rose and Iris
Montreal, Canada
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Anonymous |
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| 03/01/06 |
Positive
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| As school teachers, my wife and I have been doing Carribean islands for the last 15 years. Shell Villa was by far the most romantic setting we have stayed. The sunsets, candlelight,sound of the surf,the glide of the sailboats, the gentle breezes, the birds- what more can I say. Next winter we will both be retired and we plan to stay longer. |
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Don Patterson, Mahwah,NJ
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| 02/28/06 |
Positive
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| We had a wonderful time on Antigua. Shell Villa was beautiful as were all the people we were fortunate to meet. We are so glad we chose your end of the island and not some resort as we felt quite like natives by the end of our stay. The setting is as others have described, you feel like the island is your own, but as three ladies celebrating our 60th, we did not feel isolated. The road is a bit bumpy, but affords wonderful views of Falmouth Harbor eah time you travel it. Daphne is a treasure and John and Jenny so welcoming. We cannot imagine anyone not falling in love with this place. |
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Carolyn, Linda and Linda, Oregon and Michigan |
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| 01/23/06 |
Positive
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We had a wonderful time at the villa. The house is lovely, and the setting is exquisite. It is very well maintained, and quite comfortable. because of the way that the house is situated, we felt like we were on our own private island - sitting on the front patio, we could not see houses anywhere, and felt intruded upon when the occasional boat or yacht went by in the distance.
The cooking facilities were fine - and there was a sufficient quantity of staples that we did not have to stock everything to mnake meals (and we replaced items we used or at least provided equivalent value before we left).
We had 4 people in the house in 2 bedrooms. The house handled that many easily - we never felt that we were in ewch other's way. We even set up the master bedroom patio so that it was private to us alone.
The trip to Rendezvous Bay is even more arduaous than I had expected even in a Pathfinder; I would not choose to do that regularly - or more than once, actually.
I highly recommend Shell Villa, and would return without any hesitation whatsoever. |
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Terence Blackburn, Mason, Michigan
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| 01/19/06 |
Positive
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We had a wonderful vacation at Shell Villa over New Year. The Villa was everything that was promised and more. It is well equipped, beautifully maintained and filled with wonderful artwork. Daphne was great and helpful.
We enjoyed the beautiful sunsets from the verandah after daytrips to different beaches. One of the favorites of course being the Half Moon Bay. Our favorite restaurant was Abrakadabra, great service and excellent food. Shirley Hights was a nice experience although very crowded.
We thank Jenny and David for sharing their perfect vacation home with us and look forward visiting there again.
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Arja and Reijo, Sugar Hill, GA |
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| 11/26/05 |
Positive
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Dear Jenny and DAvid,
I have finally got around to this. We stayed at Shell Villa in April/May this year. It was delightful. The children and ourselves loved the solar power and the pool and the rocks. My son spent most of his time building rock pools on the shore and then coming in for swims in the pool. We alos went snorkiling directly out form the villa.The view for the yacht races was marvellous and the sandy beach up the rutted track was a great find. It is best to have a four wheel drive though to get through. We would love to come again. All the best. Barbara, Hew, James and Issy. |
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Barbara, Auckland, New Zealand
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| 10/25/05 |
Positive
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The house was WONDERFUL!
It has to be tough being here, especially during the
winter, knowing you have something like that in
such a beautiful place as Antigua.
We all had an excellent time. The suggestions you
made as far as beaches and restaurants go were
fantastic. The Sticky Wicket was a great call, as was
Smiling Harry's! The hike to Rendezvous was an
adventure. You might warn people to wear long
pants, we encountered a lot of thorn bushes. But it
was well worth it. We had the beach to ourselves
the entire day. And your guest who said the best
snorkeling on the island was right in front of the
house was absolutely right. I would conservatively
estimate that I saw 10-20 times as many fish right
there than anywhere else we went. Much more
varied species, some absolutely unbelievable in
their beauty.
We thank you so much for all of your help, advice,
understanding, flexibility, and most of all for your
willingness to share your wonderful home with us.
It's truly a special place. We only hope to return one
day soon.
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The McDonnell family, Warwick, NY |
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| 07/08/05 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
Dear Jenny and David,
We are still coming down (and trying to retard the descent) from our lovely week at Shell Villa. Every single day we commented on how lucky we were to have selected it over any other option on the island. It is a piece of heaven. We were so comfortable and so pleased with everything there, and eagerly look forward to a time when we can return... Also, Jenny and John couldn't have been more gracious and we enjoyed visiting with them.
Thank you for all of your suggestions on activities and dining. We took advantage of many of them. We had very good dinners at Alberto's,Abracadabra and Le Cap Horn, and had some fine ones at home as well... Meals at home overlooking the sea were beyond compare!
We found the best snorkeling right off your rocks, and then at Rendezvous Beach... we were rewarded with the gorgeous views above the sea, and we were delighted to catch the end of Sailing Week (N has a small boat on Lake Norman here). Nirvana!
We wish you many, many happy years at your piece of paradise, and hope to get back to it before long.
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Connie and Norbert G
N Carolina
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| 06/18/05 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
... we had a fantastic time at Shell Villa.
The people that look after it are fantastic, especially the cleaner Daphne. Her commitment to her work is exemplary, she worked 6-7 hours twice a week and never stopped. She was so thorough even going as far as cleaning the glass candle holders. The villa was immaculate when she left. She even did all my washing... Kevin was lovely and took care of the pool really well.
The equipment in the villa was way more than expected, I could have left lots of things at home. The cold Caribs in the fridge on arrival were just the job ...
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Nicola H
UK
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| 06/02/05 |
Positive
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| you'll LOVE shell villa. this is a fabulous, and from our point of view, perfect spot. when you visit shell villa, you'll discover why these comments are not hyperbole! shell villa is a beautiful, comfortable accomodation, right on the ocea with incredible privacy and views. charming and lovely. also, the caretakers, owners and staff are fantastic and go the extra yard to ensure their guests' comfort. this is a beautiful place with first rate service. go for it. |
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paul b, centre hall, pa |
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| 05/16/05 |
Positive
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| Shell Villa is a beautiful home with an even more incredible view of the sea. We found the home spotless upon arrival, and we were thrilled after an incredibly long journey to Antigua to find the kitchen and refrigerator with food and snacks to tide us over until we could get to the store. We spent many hours on the deck watching the sailboats pass by the house as well as cooling off in the plunge pool. While the road getting to the home is rough and slow-going, the drive is worth it for the peace and quiet at Shell Villa. |
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Bryce, Carmel, IN |
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| 03/01/03 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
Markus & Marie-Claire's Antiguan Honeymoon at David & Jenny's Shell Villa in the Caribbean.
As the first guests in David & Jenny's Shell Villa on the beautiful Caribbean leeward island of Antigua, and as overjoyed honeymooners, we felt obliged to leave a testimony for future holidaymakers.
With us, we bring visions of Shell Villa - the glowing sunrises over the ocean view of Monserrat's smoking volcano from the airy patio, golden suntans from the lazy mornings spent dipping in the swimming pool and enjoying our coffee in the spacious open concept kitchen and lounge, and happy memories of coming home in the evenings to such a quiet, peaceful yet convenient corner of the Island after sampling the delicious variety of cuisine at English Harbour's many restaurants and yacht clubs.
As we've already made advance reservations for the next five years as new 'regulars', we have decided the best testimony we could leave you, as future guests, is a list of Ideas. First, do rent or borrow a car, or at least motorcycles. It is worth it, the mobility and potential to explore. It really was a terrific vacation and Shell Villa could not have been more beautiful if we had somehow dreamed it up.
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Markus and Marie-Claire
Montreal, Canada
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