Bayfield House in Barbados... Stay in True West Indian Style
Trevor and Pamela have turned their [once-upon-a-time] home into a friendly boutique hotel in Barbados, a property steeped in West Indian heritage. It all began many years ago. When Trevor had completed a three year course in Hotel Operations at Ealing Hotel School [now an extension of Surrey University], he really wanted to be a chef but an upset mother talked him out of this idea, little did he know he would end up where he has. After working in England and then in the Caribbean island of Antigua he visited Barbados on holiday. It was while here that he realized the island was a stark contrast to fellow Antigua and knew it was where he was supposed to be. After all there was plenty for a young single guy such as himself, “places like the Pepper Pot, Mary’s Moustache and the Bearded Fig Tree to name a few“.
In no time at all, Trevor moved to Barbados and about a year and a half later he would no longer be single, having married a Barbadian, Pamela Birkett.
“ I have been in the hotel industry for over 40 years now, I started off by pot washing, which is the way things were in those days as a trainee and have ended up managing a number of hotels on the island and even part owning one at one point”. Why so long? “It’s an enjoyable and rewarding job and you never get two days the same, there is always something new presenting itself.”
“I’ve always wanted to have a little bed and breakfast to occupy my time in retirement, but as you can see it has ended up being a little more than that.
We used to live in the property. It was originally a small plantation house with about 80 acres of land. The living space was upstairs and the ground floor was used to store root crops, a garage and office space.” 
The house is in an ideal location only two or three minutes walk from the lovely Mullins Beach, in a beautiful neighbourhood and on the dazzling west coast. Holetown is only 15 minutes drive and Speightstown only 5 minutes, being in close proximity to banks, shopping, a range of excellent restaurants and nightlife.
Undeterred, Trevor and Pamela kept their focus on making their old home a warm and friendly home away from home for their guests, while retaining as much of the traditional West Indian style of architecture and old Barbados which is sadly disappearing on the island.
Without getting a single contractor to come in on budget, Trevor took on much of the work himself.
The initial outcome of that vision was somewhat changed by some spirited friends and what eventually unfolded was a lovely 10 bedroom boutique hotel. One down, how about another to go? This labour of love, Trevor says, he will not be doing again, there was a time when he seriously wondered who was going to finish first, the project or him! So we can conclude Bayfield House won’t be having any siblings.
Lots of Traditional Barbados
In Barbados, Bayfield House sits proudly on its lot, boasting traditional West Indian style accents of hurricane shutter windows and wood. Historic archways and a Cromwellian cannon, circa 1654, positioned prominently on the front lawn complete the atmosphere of a bygone era.
Trevor also added a wrap-around veranda so that all the rooms lead out to an enjoyable living space. He commented that this feature is very reminiscent of the old Rest Houses that existed in Nigeria where he spent much of his childhood years.
All very clean, [I mean sparkling clean], soothing and modern and each unexpectedly unlike the other, depicting different personalities.
On the ground floor there are: Warrens Suite, Lascelles, Swanns and Vaucluse .
The Warrens Suite has a walk-in closet and large bathroom.
Swanns has the front garden view and Lascelles looks onto the side by the entrance. Lascelles and Vaucluse are the smaller rooms each with Queen size beds.
On the first floor there are: Porters Suite, Andrews, Bulkeley, Carrington and Fairfield .
All of the upstairs rooms are spacious and have walk-in closets.
While Andrews and Fairfield have connecting doors.
All rooms are equipped with direct dial telephone, en suite bathroom with 110v/220v shaver socket, hair dryer, wall safe, radio alarm clock, refrigerator and tea/coffee making facilities, ceiling fan, air conditioner and complimentary wifi. The rooms remain very cool and as Trevor explains this is due to the 13“ thick walls.
Room rates for these intimate and tastefully appointed rooms range from a low US $145.00 in Summer to a high US $350.00 for the Porters Suite in Winter per night, full breakfast and VAT included. Gratuities are discretionary.
On check-in you can look forward to receiving Trevor’s Rum Punch or a soft drink for the non-alcoholics.
This cocktail follows the traditional Bajan Rum Punch recipe with a few secret touches, it’s soooo Good! [you can find the recipe in our Barbados food and drink page] If you are checking in late, Trevor and Pamela are delighted to offer you a platter of complimentary sandwiches.
A Casual Restaurant
The food, he says, is plain, tasty and wholesome it’s not food that has been played around with to look pretty!
"We offer local and international dishes but try and encourage our guests to try local dishes, for example a popular dish is our breadfruit cou cou and salt fish.
On Saturday we offer Pudding and Souse which has also been popular with our guests, I often treat them to this and invite some local friends so they can interact with them." 
The restaurant with cane furniture and wooden tables has a relaxed atmosphere and welcomes casual wear. It looks out on to a refreshing oval shaped pool and an expanse of meticulously landscaped garden.
A garden so well orchestrated it pulls you into its exotic serenity. Pamela along with a good friend put the garden together.
A troop of monkeys also enjoy the garden early morning and late afternoon and present competition for the mangoes and bananas when bearing.
In conclusion, this family run boutique hotel has all the amenities and finishes of an expected property on the exclusive west coast.
It offers the comfort and informality of a guest house with the eminence of a rich past and surrounded by an enchanting Caribbean garden. You have it all, heritage, culture, friendly service, privacy, relaxation and spotless, cosy accommodation, all at very attractive rates. Children under 12 years old are not accepted.
Trevor and Pamela are attentive hosts, lovely conversationalists with an excellent sense of humour. They look forward to welcoming you to Bayfield House. 
We believe Bayfield House is suited to mature single persons, couples of all ages, honeymoon, family reunions, groups traveling together, wedding parties, business travel,
handicapped persons with minor disabilities or just you.
Bayfield House is not suited to young single persons, young families or handicapped persons with serious disabilities. Many thanks to Trevor and Pamela Ramsay for making the most divine Rum Punch and more importantly for letting us feature the intimate Bayfield House on www.life-n-styles-barbados.com. For inquires, comments or to make a reservation to stay at Bayfield House in Barbados feel free to contact Trevor or Pamela directly or by filling out the contact form below.
Location: Mullins St. Peter, Barbados
Tel: (246) 419 -0417
Email: trevor@bayfieldbarbados.com Return from Bayfield House in Barbados to Barbados Accommodation Return from Bayfield House to A Guide to Staying in Touch with Barbados - Home page
|
Trevor wasn’t about to have a boring retirement either and he and his wife Pamela decided to develop Bayfield House.
His experience with working at a number of hotels involving construction and renovations and a clear vision of what Bayfield House was going to be, he knew exactly what was what.
Further maintaining its plantation roots, all of the rooms have been named after old sugar factories. Some command garden views and others have an incredible amount of space with walk-in closets.
The large Porters Suite, which is 795 sq.ft in particular, overlooks the entire back garden and pool.
The restaurant caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner on request. All meals are presently prepared by Trevor, who enjoys cooking.
