Golden View is very conveniently located in the Sunset Crest area of Holetown. Holetown is where the first settlers arrived in Barbados and has been a local commercial centre serving the west coast ever since. As a result, there are a wide range of facilities within easy reach of the apartment.
SHOPPING
There is a wide range of shopping on your doorstep with three main shopping malls and a range of specialist stores. When using a credit card in the supermarket or some shops they may require photo ID. If you are buying duty free items you will need your passport and flight details
FOOD SHOPPING
The main food shopping store is Massy Supermarket. It sells a full range of groceries including Waitrose brands. You can reach the supermarket by turning right from the apartment and taking the fourth road on the right, Hibiscus Avenue. It is a 10 minute walk from Golden View and a few minutes by car.
In addition to the supermarket there are a few specialist food shops including Boulevard Butchers opposite the entrance to the supermarket. This specialises in English style sausages and back bacon as well as various butchery and deli items. Singapora is an oriental deli that sells a range of oriental products including sushi, dim sum etc. It also sells excellent prawns/ shrimp and salmon. This is located in the Lime Grove Centre. Wine World and the Grape Vine provide a full range of wines and spirits from around the world.
There is a small market stall near the entrance to Cemetery Lane and a little further afield is Holders Farmers Market which operates on a Sunday morning.
There is also a small fish market at Paynes Bay
CLOTHING AND DUTY FREE SHOPPING
For up market designer shopping including brands like Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren,Michael Kors and many other high end labels visit the Lime Grove Lifestyle Centre which is located a bit further down Hibiscus Avenue opposite its junction with Highway 1A.
Alternatively, the Cave Shepherd department store offers a range of duty free shopping including Columbian Emeralds and Pandora. To get to Sunset Mall (where it is located) follow Cemetery Lane to the main road and turn left. It is a 10 minute walk.
SOUVENIR SHOPPING
The Chattel House Village has a number of small shops selling a range of souvenirs and local products. This is located on the main road close to the entrance to Cemetery Lane.
OTHER LOCAL FACILITIES
BANKS
There are three Banks in Holetown. First Caribbean Bank (in the Sunset Crest Mall), Republic Bank, next to the gas station on the main road, and Scotia Bank across the main road opposite the West Coast Mall.
POST OFFICE AND POLICE STATION
Across the main road you can also find a range of Government buildings including the post office, police station and licensing authority (where you can get visitors’ driving permits)
CHURCHES
Barbados is a very religious country and you can find churches of all denominations in most areas. There are also a small number of mosques. In Holetown you will find the St James Parish Church (Anglican) and Holetown Methodist Church. St Francis Roman Catholic Church is a short bus ride away.
CINEMA
There is a small luxury cinema in the Lime Grove complex. It shows current films and is reasonably priced.
ART GALLERIES
There are small art galleries at Tides restaurant, in the Chattel House Village and on the second floor of the Lime Grove Complex.
If you wish to purchase copies of any of Sandy’s paintings please contact us. Sandy also accepts commissions.
GOLF COURSES
If you are a keen golfer there are many high quality courses in the area. The three Sandy Lane Golf Courses are very close to the apartment and Royal Westmorland and Apes Hill are a short drive away.
PLACES TO EAT LOCALLY
There are many restaurants in Holetown and the immediate area. Here is a selection of these. A fuller listing is provided in the Barbados in a Nutshell booklet. Most restaurants are also reviewed on tripadvisor.
HIGH END DINING
The Cliff
The Cliff is one of Barbados’ top restaurants. It has an international reputation and is frequented by celebrity visitors. It occupies a beautiful spot on the edge of a cliff and because of its ambience is often a venue for special occasions. It is expensive and you can get better value for money at some of the elegant restaurants like Tides. But if you are celebrating and want to push the boat out it could be the place for you. Alternatively, the Cliff Lounge is a place to go for a cocktails before a night out and it also does a more affordable lunch menu.
Sandy Lane Hotel
Five Star Sandy Lane is the top hotel in Barbados. It has two restaurants which are open to the public, but reservations are essential. You might also like to sample their afternoon tea.
RESTAURANTS
Tides
Tides is just a short walk from the apartment on the main road on the beach front. It has a deserved reputation for fine dining and good service. It has been recently renovated and is an elegant place for that special meal. It also has lunch time specials.
Nishi
Nishi is a smart bistro on the corner of 2nd St opposite Lime Grove. It specialises in Japanese food and is very popular among sushi lovers. It serves a range of Caribbean and international food as well.
The Mews
Also on 2nd St the Mews is a lively bar with restaurant above specialising in local produce. It offers the fixed price Rediscover Barbados menu which is a 3 course meal and 2 glasses of wine for $99.00 BDS. Check out the offer at www.rediscoverbarbados.com for details of this deal and for other restaurants.
Jules
On 1st St is Jules a new Italian restaurant with a growing reputation.
MID RANGE RESTAURANTS
The Beach House
The Beach House is located opposite the pedestrian crossing on the main road. This restaurant does local buffet lunches on Wednesdays and Sundays and has live music on Friday evenings. It has an extensive local menu.
Elbow Room
You can cook your own meat or seafood on a sizzling lava rock.
Lime Grove Lifestyle Centre has a number of small restaurants offering a range of cuisines
Lemongrass
This small restaurant specialises in noodles, Thai and Indonesian food. You can get a reasonable meal in pleasant surroundings
Relish Epicurea
This café bar is ideal for a quick lunch
Ciao Bella Ristorante
A small Italian with a range of pizzas and pastas
BEACH BARS, BARS AND CAFES
Zaccios beach bar
This friendly restaurant and beach bar is located opposite the West Coast Mall. It offers a range of dishes. It also sells pizzas and has a takeaway booth.
Surf Side beach and sports bar
This busy beach bar is a sports bar showing a range of events including the English Premier League and international Rugby.
Charisma café
At the back of the Chattel House village is a small café. Ideal for a coffee or lunch.
Indigo café
This café is located above Wine World
Flindt
This patisserie serves a range of cakes and pastries and makes exotic celebration cakes
Drift
This new cocktail bar is located close to the apartment next to the Beach House.
Lime Bar and restaurant
Within the main courtyard in Lime Grove is this bustling and popular bar.
Red Door Lounge
Located in the Mango Bay Hotel on 2nd St. Is a popular bar and night club.
TAKE AWAYS
Just Grilling
Whether you want to eat in or takeaway Just Grilling offers a selection of sandwiches, platters and wraps using local grilled fish, ribs and jerk chicken. Apart from the Chinese takeaway this is the closest restaurant to the apartment and is highly recommended if you want a quick relatively cheap meal.
Julie’s Bajan Food
A new stall in the car park at the bottom of Cemetery Lane
Good Choice Chinese
The Chinese Restaurant us located next to the pool at Golden view. It provides a good range of Chinese food and is extremely handy after a tiring day sightseeing.
Asian Spice
At the All Seasons Resort in Sunset Crest is this Indian restaurant. It provides a takeaway service.
Zaccios
Takeaway Pizzas can be ordered from Zaccios. They also have a delivery service.
Van food
Locals buy their lunch and snacks from vans. If you want to sample what locals eat why not try one of these. There is a very popular van parked outside of the entrance to the Sandy Lane hotel.
Fish Fries
Local Fish markets have fish fries usually on a Friday Night. The most famous of these is Oistins on the south coast. But closer to Golden View is Moon Town north of Speighstown. It is about 20 minutes away by car or bus. The little fish market at Paynes Bay also has the occasional fish fry.