Merlin Bay - Ocean View

Ocean View is a three-bedroom villa at Merlin Bay, St James, a gated beachfront development of just 7 villas on a palm-fringed, crescent-shaped bay in Barbados. It has a private plunge pool and looks over the beach, the resort's lagoon-style pool and the gardens.

The house is arranged over three living levels with a private roof terrace, and is air-conditioned throughout. The living and dining level has open views and access to the gardens, the main pool and the sea. There is an indoor dining room, a sunken living room with floor-to-ceiling doors to the terrace and plunge pool, and a well-equipped kitchen.

The ground-floor bedroom, made up as a king or two singles, opens onto the plunge pool and terrace. Upstairs, the master king bedroom has a private terrace, and the third bedroom, king or twin, opens onto a dining terrace. A housekeeper comes twice a week.

Four private terraces overlook the sea and garden, and are good places for sunset drinks or dining. The grounds have a free-form swimming pool.

Merlin Bay sits on a low sea cliff, with steps down to a white sandy beach and calm, warm water. It is one mile north of Holetown, with its local and designer shops and seaside restaurants.