The House

The House is hidden away on a quiet corner of platinum sand, at the edge of Barbados' famed sapphire sea. It is veiled from the street, and visitors have to park in at Daphne’s Restaurant and walk left, down a wooden deck. Tucked away at the end is a small arched white door and a doorbell.

Once inside, you feel as though you’ve been allowed into the VIP section of some really exclusive, uber-cool club. The floors are dark mahogany, in contrast to the stark white overstuffed couches and cobalt blue walls with textured, abstract paintings in the same hue. The space is open and expansive, with the beach and pool on one side and a courtyard and waterfall on the other. To call it a lobby would be an error, as there is no check-in desk; rather you are invited to sink into the couches, with a frosty mango smoothie, and have a “conversation’’ about checking in.

The rooms continue the chic minimalist colour scheme of dark sexy wood, cobalt and white, with fat luxurious bedding and sleek flat-screen televisions in both the seating areas and bedrooms. A glass-paned cupboard contains four shelves of books, ranging from intellectual non-fiction to steamy novellas. The bathrooms are a warm butter-coloured marble with tubs for two and candles.

Guests are assigned a personal ambassador, who is at your beck and call – as if his only mission in life is to satisfy your every whim. No one under 18 is allowed, the jacuzzi and pool are open 24 hours, as is the bar. If you wish, a complimentary jet-lag massage is available – and would you like that in your room, or at a beachside pagoda?

This is how your stay at The House is designed: to feel as if you have come to stay at the beach retreat of a very close, very cool, possibly even celebrity friend.

• You truly are made to feel as though you’re staying at the chic beach house of a friend, underscored with delightful touches such as a greeting card welcoming you, and signed by each one of the staff.