The house and the location are all the things that other reviewers have praised. You might want to read the long review, entitled “Secluded Paradise, before this one because it contains a great amount of accurate and interesting information about the house and where it is. Zion’s website and many reviewers list the house’s amenities and it’s no exaggeration to say that it is magnificently and fully equipped.
We were a family group of seven adults and three children (a four-year old and twin babies, three-months old), and we rented the house for two weeks in February. Its layout is simple but most effective. In the shape of an E, without the middle piece, it faces the ocean. The two wings contain the six bedrooms and bathrooms and are anchored by the huge kitchen and living room. In the center of the E is the pool and seating area, thus easily accessible from every room in the house.
All the rooms have glass doors and sliding screens. This was particularly good for our family because we could see in an instant where our four-year old was and make sure an adult was with her when she went into the pool. Broad steps lead down from the pool to a charming seating area under a white wooden pergola. From here, there are a few more steps down into the ocean. This is a particularly lovely spot for reading or, caressed by the ocean breezes, simply gazing out over the turquoise and dark blue water.
The size of the house and this charmed area give a large party, such as ours, plenty of space to be separate from time to time, which adds to the appeal.
The house is at the end of a long road, branching off Queen’s Road—the main highway—on the Atlantic side of Eleuthera at Savannah Sound. The water, sheltered by the long, narrow island of Windermere, is calm but cooling breezes come in from the opening to the Atlantic Ocean at the southern end of Windermere Island, so there is a constant and refreshing breeze. When you look around you see no one; you have this enchanted spot to yourselves.
The shoreline is old, blackened coral but there is sand at the foot of the steps leading down into the water and also at the slipway for the four canoes—two of them with glass-bottoms—that come with the house. (Fins, snorkels, and masks are also provided.) Once in the water, there is sand underfoot and when the tide is low you can walk along the shore and even to a small mangrove island.
A tip for travelers. On Sundays, virtually everything closes—the Bahamians are great church-goers—but there is a Shell gas station in Governor’s Harbour that is open until 2:00 pm and a supermarket, just behind it, which is open until 5:00 pm. Most grocery stores and gas stations only take cash ($1:00 Bahamian equals U.S. $1:00), but there are an adequate number of ATM machines for withdrawals.
Craig, the owner, was most gracious and wonderfully helpful in all our dealings with him. He is rightly proud of his property and went out of his way to answer our questions and meet our needs. We have some experience of renting out our own house in Newport, Rhode Island, and, for what it is worth, we think he has the right approach, as well as perfect manners, to attract and please tenants.
Sheri, his local assistant, was also a great help. She met us at the Rock Sound airport, the nearest one to the house, and provided a rental van. She also sent her daughter up to Governor’s Harbour, in the center of Eleuthera to pick up our daughter who arrived later on a different flight.
What is truly magical about Zion House is its combination of qualities that provide its occupants with an unparalleled blend of comfort, tranquility, and contentment. It is a tropical sanctuary, an island haven of peace.
All bookings are direct with the owner 