Rafeen: An elegant and historic family friendly home

Rafeen is a very special place to stay. A private haven with its own pool and gardens tucked away in the historic Garrison area. The180 year old listed property situated opposite the Savannah race course is full of charm and character with the original large, terracotta tiled veranda complete with a bar over looking the race course which makes for relaxed viewing of the regular race days as well as horses exercising daily.
The furnishings are mostly antique mahogany and the reception rooms are spectacular. The extensive gardens include a secluded pool with a pool house, and many and varied fruit trees.
The house is perfect for a family or a group of friends. There are many areas to sit and take in the tranquil gardens. Cocktails are perfect at the veranda bar or on the front patio in the shade of the huge and ancient trees where you can watch the horses, monkeys, humming birds or fire flies, depending on the time of day. The back garden offers the pool. You can take some sun on the pool deck or relax in the shade of the gazebo.

You may chose to eat in any of these places or simply eat in the kitchen or on the kitchen terrace. More formal dining is on offer in the rather grand dining room at the antique mahogany table. The sitting room next to it offers a huge comfortable sofa where you can relax and take in a movie after a hard day at the beach.
The bedrooms are large and air conditioned, and the master bedroom has direct access to the back garden and pool.
The kitchen is well equipped and opens onto a lovely back terrace over looking the pool.
The wonderful south coast beaches are moments away and all the amenities of Bridgetown just a kilometer down the road. This is a very convenient location for exploring the whole island.

History: Rafeen is a very old and historic house. The building was built in 1831 as part of the military Garrison which together with our neighbours; Geneva a single storey building at the time and Letchworth House were built as the Ordnance Hospital and later used as the soldiers library. Rafeen was built on a parcel of land comprising 13744 sq feet with frontage onto the Garrison road. The original Ordnance Hospital was sold by the War Dept.in 1905 when the Imperial forces departed from Barbados, and the house came into private ownership in 1921 from the government of Barbados. Several artefacts from military times were found when Rafeen was renovated about 40 years ago and these are preserved in the frame in the dining room.

The Cottage at the end of the garden is built on a plot of land acquired later. Rafeen is listed by the Barbados National Trust as a building of historic interest.
The cottage is occupied with a long term tenant who will be your neighbours. They share the drive and obviously come and go, so do remember to take the key to the gate padlock if you are returning late. The cottage has its own garden and the tenants do not have access to the pool or pool deck. The planting and garden design ensures privacy, but you will probably see their car and them coming and going.