Your Happy Place
Ask people what are the key contributors to happiness in today’s world and most of the answers would probably revolve around words like peace of mind, safety and security, health and well-being, balanced diet, regular exercise, active social life, quality time with family and friends, and access to beautiful natural surroundings. In essence, the same positive attributes that have influenced so many visitors to consider Barbados their ‘Happy Place’. And perhaps there is no better example of a single location on the island that embodies all of those feel-good factors than Apes Hill Barbados.
The history of health tourism in Barbados dates back hundreds of years, with the first recorded ‘celebrity visit’ taking place in 1751 when George Washington, the future Founding Father and first President of the United States, came here as a travelling companion for his ailing half-brother Lawrence. And they chose to make the long journey to Barbados because the island was highly regarded for the recuperative value of its healthy, clean air and invigorating sea breezes. In time, for that same reason, many of the island’s earliest hotels were opened on the East Coast, the landing point for the Trade Winds having blown thousands of miles across the pollution-free Atlantic from Africa. Today, those same refreshing, health inducing winds still blow across Apes Hill.
Touching the borders of St. James, St. Andrew and St. Thomas, Apes Hill occupies 475 acres of a geologically unique landscape overlooking the magnificent scenery of both the East Coast and West Coast. Benefitting from an elevated position some 1,000ft above sea level, close to the island’s highest point, Apes Hill experiences daytime temperatures that are about 2°C lower than the surrounding lowlands.
With a varying topography of undulating hills, craggy cliffs and meandering ravines, the natural vegetation ranges from open grasslands to wooded areas, stands of majestic towering palms, and lush undergrowth of tropical plants. Discreetly nestled within the richness of this spectacular environment, the Apes Hill Barbados community has been sensitively planned around what is arguably the most spectacular 18-Hole Championship Golf Course in the Caribbean.
As with every aspect of Apes Hill Barbados, environmental protection and sustainability are key factors in how the golf course has been designed and is maintained. In keeping with their commitment to offer residents an unparalleled amount of open green space and privacy, the designers have gone to great lengths to locate house lots and villa locations in strategically optimum positions that blend seamlessly into the environment. An individual home might occupy a 20,000 sq. ft. lot, but it is surrounded by 475 acres of natural beauty with stunning views in every direction.
With an emphasis on maximising the pleasures of Caribbean indoor-outdoor living, Apes Hill Barbados offers a broad range of residences. In addition to luxurious individual built homes and house lots with a turn key land and build option, there is also a selection of villas available for both purchase and short-term rental. Investing in a home at Apes Hill, or renting for a vacation, affords residents an opportunity to engage with like-minded people in a healthy outdoor lifestyle.
Just like Barbados as a whole, Apes Hill offers a special blend of compact diversity, whereby many contrasting activities and experiences can be found within close proximity. Besides playing on an outstanding world-class course, golfers can also take advantage of a state-of-the-art Performance Centre – the only one of its kind in the Caribbean – which provides opportunities for custom swing analysis and biometric fittings, as well as technology-based golf lessons. And for a bit of fun or practice for beginners, there is an attractive par-3, 9-hole short course. Other activities include a well-equipped gym, hiking excursions, nature walks, tennis, padel tennis, yoga, Pilates, bootcamps, spa services, and access to the resort’s nearby west coast beach facility. There are also seasonal events and bespoke family experiences, from tournaments to cooking demonstrations to themed dinner nights, including healthy ‘farm to fork’ dishes from the organic farm.
Alternatively, rather than packing as much into the day as possible, residents also have the freedom to completely switch off and simply relax, both physically and mentally. The vibrant West Coast might be nearby in terms of distance, but it is a million miles away from the gloriously tranquil, unspoiled world of nature at Apes Hill. With life in Barbados generally moving along at a healthy laid-back tempo, Apes Hill has perfected the art of ‘a slower pace equals a happy place’.
By fulfilling the diverse needs of multi-generational groups – from grandchildren to grandparents and everyone in between – life at Apes Hill Barbados is elevated, down to earth and comfortable.
Welcome to your happy place.
For further information please visit: apeshill.com