Entire home

Renovated Private Beach Villa w/Pool, Ocean Views, Walk to French Leave Beach

Photo gallery for Renovated Private Beach Villa w/Pool, Ocean Views, Walk to French Leave Beach

Property grounds
Exterior
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
TV, DVD player, books
Fridge, microwave, dishwasher, coffee/tea maker
Reviews
9.6

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Pool
    PoolPool
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioningAir conditioning
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Washer
    WasherWasher
  • Dryer
    DryerDryer

Explore the area

Map
Governors Harbour, Eleuthera
  • Popular LocationOceanView Farm5 min drive
  • Popular LocationTwin Coves Beach5 min drive
  • Popular LocationHut Point Beach9 min drive
  • AirportGovernor's Harbour (GHB)15 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Renovated Private Beach Villa w/Pool, Ocean Views, Walk to French Leave Beach

This beautifully renovated and modernized Bahamian home retains its original grounds and garden, while enjoying modern comforts and conveniences. Driftwood sits on a hill with views of the ocean from the large upstairs master bedroom. A 5-minute walk down the hill takes you to the world renowned French Leave beach (formerly Club Med), while a 10 minute walk in the other direction takes you to the restaurants and shops in the village of Governor’s Harbour.

To enter the villa from the front, you pass the 10’x30’ private pool, up the stairs, and onto an expansive porch that overlooks the landscaped grounds and ocean beyond. At the front door you enter the open plan dining hall, with large windows in front and back to welcome the cooling trade winds and sounds of the ocean. The interior is light and bright, with white walls, tiled floors and wood ceilings. To the right is the open plan family room and fully equipped modern kitchen with granite countertops, gas cooktop, and stainless steel appliances.

To the left of the dining hall are two large bedrooms. The first is a large guest/children’s bedroom with twin beds (that convert to a king), a closet, and its own bath right across the hall. The second is the downstairs master bedroom suite with ensuite bath (bathtub and shower), two closets and a king bed. Both bedrooms access a private patio for enjoying the sights and sounds of nature in the morning sunlight.

The upstairs master bedroom suite is accessed from the stairway in the hall. It has a large balcony overlooking the grounds and ocean beyond, a large bath with double sinks, and a large walk-in closet and king bed. There’s plenty of room to relax and enjoy a good book or afternoon nap.

In addition to the 3 large bedrooms in the main part of the house, Driftwood has a separate, open plan studio with bedroom, bathroom, sitting room, closet and complete kitchen. The main entrance is from another private patio at the north end of the house; the second is a level entrance into the kitchen from the back garden. In addition, the studio bath has a low threshold shower for handicapped access. The main part of the house and the one bedroom studio are joined at the shared laundry room, equipped with large washer and dryer. The studio can be locked off from the rest of the house.

The back patio and garden area are accessed from the dining hall or the studio kitchen. It is private, protected from strong winds and enjoys afternoon sunlight, perfect for outdoor grilling. After a day on the beach, enjoy a dip in the pool and drinks on the front porch. Driftwood is beautifully landscaped with tropical flowers, palm trees, and fruit and nut trees.

Driftwood is just a short walk from town and nearby dining including the Buccaneer Club and Da Perk. Other nearby restaurants include Tippys (a 4 minute drive) and the Sunset Inn (a 5 minute drive). The historic town of Governors Harbour has grocery stores, banks with ATMs, gift shops, liquor stores, dive shop, bakery, and restaurants. Buy fresh fish and lobster every afternoon from the fishermen on the village dock. And don’t miss Friday night fish fry, a weekly beach/street party that brings together tourists and locals for food, drink, and dancing in the street.

Driftwood is fully equipped to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Amenities include air conditioning in all rooms, WIFI, mobile phone, cable TV, Video and DVD player, pack n play, back-up generator, outdoor gas grill, beach & pool toys, beach towels, cooler, beach chairs & umbrella and more.

Property manager

Kristin Tornow and Matthew Simon

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Pool toys
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 4 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Gas grill

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Climate control

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • Tennis
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Spelunking nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • 1 unit

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 20

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

2250-130473

About the neighborhood

Governor's Harbour

Located in Governor's Harbour, this vacation home is near the beach. Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve and Lucayan Archipelago reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include OceanView Farm and Queens Bath. Jet skiing and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cave exploring and horse riding nearby.

What's nearby

  • Haynes Public Library - 16 min walk
  • OceanView Farm - 5 min drive
  • Twin Coves Beach - 5 min drive
  • Hut Point Beach - 9 min drive
  • French Leave Beach - 18 min drive

Getting around

  • Governor's Harbour (GHB) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Buccaneer Club - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Tippy's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Hot Buns Bakery - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪1648 - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Da Perk Cafe - ‬9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Renovated Private Beach Villa w/Pool, Ocean Views, Walk to French Leave Beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Renovated Private Beach Villa w/Pool, Ocean Views, Walk to French Leave Beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Renovated Private Beach Villa w/Pool, Ocean Views, Walk to French Leave Beach?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Renovated Private Beach Villa w/Pool, Ocean Views, Walk to French Leave Beach located?

Situated near the beach, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Lucayan Archipelago, Central Eleuthera Beach, and Haynes Public Library. Twin Coves Beach and Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 41 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 48 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Susie W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our Introduction to the Bahamas
Our house was lovely and so well equipped. There was plenty of room for all of us and we loved how nicely the home was decorated. We enjoyed the pool everyday. The road to the beach was pretty rough and I wish the house had been a little closer. We had a car, but a golf cart would have made it easier. It was still a great introduction to the Bahamas.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy E., Miami Beach

Liked: Cleanliness
Spacious and relaxing
My family had a wonderful stay here. The home is so spacious and Misty was an excellent host! She provided so much helpful information and we were able to pay her a fee to do our shopping beforehand, which was such a huge help. Never did we feel unsafe. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Matthew M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great space and location but make sure the doors are locked!
The house was beautiful and in a great location, but suffered some of the quirks of an out-island Bahamian home: two of the four bathrooms did not produce hot water, the can lights in the master bedroom never turned on, and one of the secondary bathroom's lights were tough to turn off at times. We have family in the Bahamas and visit different islands annually - these issues are fairly common but nonetheless inconvenient. The proximity to amenities (restaurants, bars, grocery stores, bakeries, etc) was great and a bit atypical for a rural island like Eleuthera. The walk to the beautiful Atlantic-side beach was convenient, the Club Med ruins were fun to explore, and being centrally located on the island made day trips to the north and south readily accessible. However, our first night we were burgled out of $600 in cash. After checking in and stocking up on essentials in town we made an hour-long visit down to the beach. We saw a ton of shooting stars and had a great time. Lo-and-behold the next morning two of my friends discovered ~$300 in cash missing from each of their purses that were left in the living room while we were out. They know it was taken while we were at the beach because they used their wallets for supplies in town just prior to our little beach adventure. We made sure to lock the front door, but one of the downstairs bedroom doors must have been unlocked when we arrived cause it was unused and not locked when we assessed the house when we realized the money was missing. The rear sliding door was also unlocked, which very well could have been left open by one of us. I later realized that a gift I had brought for a family member in Nassau that had been neatly wrapped with a bow was also nabbed from the master bedroom. The most troubling part of this was we were clearly being watched because they struck very quickly at just the right moment. Fortunately, in their hurry, they didn't entirely clear us out of cash. Misty took the burglary very seriously and contacted the police (who we never heard from directly) and brought batteries for the safe that was inoperable upstairs. Unfortunately it is not mounted to the wall, so it could be carried off very easily... Ultimately, after this initial shock and discomfort we had a scenic, adventurous, and wonderful experience. Every Bahamian we interacted with was warm and inviting and we all plan to visit Eleuthera again in the years to come.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Isacc C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Driftwood stay was great!
Great property, good location, great host!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Family Vacation
Driftwood was everything we hoped for! The check in process was easy and Misty made sure we had what we needed, since we landed on Sunday! The view was exceptional, the kids loved the pool and the beaches were amazing! We can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Another enjoyable stay at Driftwood
This was our second stay at Driftwood and it was just as pleasant as our first one in 2018. The location is very convenient, with both Governor’s Harbour and the spectacular French Leave Beach in walking distance, or a 3 minute drive. The house was big enough for three couples and offered plenty of privacy. We loved being able to cool off in the pool after a day at the beach. The second floor balcony is wonderful for star gazing. Misty was quick to respond to any questions we had. Highly recommended!
Stayed 8 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Roanna N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic. View
We were at this property during lockdown over the weekend . We were able to enjoy the views right from the front porch so it was a great location to relax and enjoy the water !
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

RICHARD H.

Liked: Cleanliness
An island of sanity!
This house was everything promised. Spacious and very comfortable. Modern, beautifully decorated, and equipped better than our own home. This was the ideal place to rest and prepare for the insanity of COVID 19 in the US. As our internet and cable TV system was nonfunctional for most of our stay there, it turned out being mostly off the grid made the stay even more beneficial. Worked perfectly for our children and grandchildren as they came and went during our time there. Governors Harbour is a marvelous community to be a part of. Misty was outstanding as well as our property manager. Thanks Pat for allowing us to enjoy our stay in your beautiful home.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Julie W., Richmond, VA

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome place and experience!
Our family stayed at Driftwood for a week over Christmas and loved it! I find it rare that a rental property lives up to the description and pictures, so we were very pleasantly surprised that this gem did. The house itself is very spacious, clean, has a great layout and was extremely well appointed. The beds were incredibly comfortable, the linens & towels are nice, the decor great and modern. We cooked dinner in one night for a large group, and wanted for nothing in terms of the kitchen, appliances and hanging out space. All was exactly as described and every detail has been thought of. The outside of the house is great in the front, with a nice front porch, very pretty pool, towels and beach cart. The only part we were a little underwhelmed by was the back patio, which was rather overgrown around the perimeter and shabby looking. It just didn’t seem to go with the inside of the house and the front area. Anyway, the location was amazing, a short walk to the French Leave Beach, Governors Harbor shops and restaurants, the lovely Bacchus Fine Foods, etc. I will also say that from the moment we inquired about the property early in the year, the rental company was amazing to work with. Helpful, incredibly quick to respond to my million questions, friendly, knowledgeable, and gave great recommendations on car rentals, excursions, etc. From an overall visit perspective, it was our first time in Eleuthera and we loved it - I don’t know when we’ve seen more beautiful beaches. The weather was not great while we were there, which was disappointing, but you can’t really control for that. The bugs are as terrible as advertised, but I spent a lot of time sitting in the sand with no repellent on. Overall, would go back in a heartbeat and highly recommend Driftwood!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Isabel F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best Family Vacation Ever
Beautiful house and landscaping, sparkling pool, gorgeous view, right in town! Our family of six didn't know what to expect, however the property manager and her son assisted us greatly in facilitating a rental car, informing us of the highlights and guiding us toward our interests. As a former G.O. at the Club Med Eleuthera, it was bittersweet for me to walk the ruins and remember the beach, but for my family it was a way to enjoy one of the most spectacular beaches in the world and connect to an authentic Bahamian experience. From the Fish Fry to Tippys, Sammy's and the Buccaneer Club, we enjoyed great night life and food. The town was an easy walk, as was the beach. My son-in-law got to connect with a bonefish charter and was delighted to catch fish! My vegetarian contingent was thrilled with the produce available at the Eleuthera Island Farm near the Palmetto crossroads, and the intrepid snorkelers swam with the massive schools of tiny fish at Ten Bays Beach. Relaxing at the Driftwood pool was a hit with everyone. The kitchen is extremely well equipt and we had great fun making family meals on the evenings we were too tuckered out to go out. The house itself is absolutely beautiful. I cannot recommend this location more highly. My family was 100% in agreement that this was the best family vacation ever.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2019