"Pleasant Top" on Bequia is available for
RENTAL 2010.

An exceptional Bequia property situated at the top of Belmont Hill on Bequia Island, overlooking all of Admiralty Bay, Lower Bay, Port Elizabeth and significant parts of Spring, Industry and Park Estates, with views to the north beyond Bequia of most of St. Vincent down to the waterfront at Kingstown (9 miles away), a view to the west south west to Pigeon (Ramier) Island, a view to the south to the Pillories. There is no other Bequia location to compare.

The house was designed to take best advantage of the exceptional site. The building is a modern concrete block and plaster gabled open concept construction, providing a 70 foot long 12 foot wide verandah overlooking the yacht harbour from the brow of the hill. On the main floor, there are two large bedrooms, both with ceiling fans (air conditioning really not needed). We have the advantage of being 630 feet above sea level which means temperatures at Pleasant Top are normally 2ºF/1ºC lower than at shore level and being on top of the hill we usually have better moderation from the breezes available. The master bedroom has a firm queen sized bed and includes a full ensuite bath with shower, double sinks and heavy duty automatic washing machine. Between the second bedroom which has a firm queen size bed and the main entry, there is a second bathroom which also includes a shower and sink. The third bedroom with queen size bed and bathroom including shower are in the lower level 'apartment'. All windows have screens. All rooms have ceiling fans and there are a few floor fans too. We find there is no real need for air conditioning that would isolate you from the natural beauty surrounding the house. We do not hesitate to leave all doors open during the day to allow that feeling of living in the open air. Just close them our use the screened ones during the evening and night to keep out the flying insect populace attracted by lights. When dining on the verandah in the evening (which we always do), we turn on the furthest away outdoor strong lights to keep flying pests away from the verandah dining area. It works well. The main level kitchen-dining area is 9' by 23' with generous counter top area and cupboards, ceramic stovetop and dishwasher as well as a generous complement of small appliances.

There is a small basic galley kitchen 8' x 8' in the lower level 'apartment'. Outdoor living is the norm and we find we usually dine on the verandah with the delightful ambience of the shimmering harbour or stunning sunsets. The property really is one of the most comfortable and romantic spots on the island.

• Floor Plans Main (15K gif) ... Lower Level (12K gif)
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• Lower Level Apartment photos ... (18K gif) apt floor plan.

The main level interior is about 1,380 sq. ft., with 950 sq. ft. of finished and tiled verandah, patio and deck space and a garage/workshop of 200 sq.ft.. On the lower level reached by full exterior stairways at each end of the main building are, the pump room of 80 sq. ft. at one end, then 3 water cisterns and at the other end, a 440 sq. ft. one bedroom apartment including kitchenette, bathroom with shower and living area looking out over a private 200 sq. ft. raised patio, to Port Elizabeth, Spring and St. Vincent. Beside the upper patio, there is a 14'x 9' pool with about 100 sq. ft. of stone surround for that lazy lounging in the sun or shade, your choice, with or without a nice cool drink, to take in the tropic gardens, mahogany grove or captivating Admiralty Bay view. There is even an outdoor shower by the pool to rinse off the sand after those return trips from the beach or just to get a quick rinse down.

The main level central living room area has two adjacent sets of French glass paned doors opening to the covered verandah area offering a magnificent view over the harbour. The gable vault covers the whole living area offering a stunning sight on entry to the building through the main door from the driveway. It is designed to optimize air circulation throughout the building. The main floor of the building is handicapped accessible with a small manageable lip at each door entry. The roof beams, exposed from within, are varnished Trinidad teak showing dramatically and tastefully against white painted roof decking underlay.

The floors throughout the main level are tiled with reddish earthtone fine-finished Spanish tiles which also extend to cover all verandah, entry and patio surfaces except the stone lower level patio. The lower apartment has a lovely pinkish ceramic tile floor. The roof edge around the entire building is trimmed with white painted gingerbread which was patterned after trim found on a home more than one hundred years old demolished at Princess Margaret beach during the 1980's.

There are two double louvred door closets in each main level bedroom and a third in the guest room for linen storage. There is a large hall closet for cleaning materials and tool storage.

click on these to enlarge:

Current SVG Weather - NOAA

More Pleasant Top pictures:      click on them to enlarge

. . . . . . and more . . . . . . click on these links to call them up . . .

beqhm1 120k PT Montage 1	beqhm2 116k PT Montage 2	beqhm3 39k PT Montage 3	LivingR1 63k Living Room
to SVG 31k view to St. Vincent	to LowBay 20k view to Lower Bay	NNEview 21k NNE view	EasterRegatta 35k view from Pleasant Top

• . . . and . . . a map to show how to get to "Pleasant Top" once on the Mount Pleasant Road when on Bequia. How about a Google Aerial View .

When we are not there, the gate is usually latched to keep out goats, so if you really want to see it when we are not in residence, you can call us, or William King is the man to see on Bequia. He looks after the property and our guests when we are away. He can be reached through "Fummy Taxi", his son, Roland (phone 457-3275 cell 526-4258) or directly at 458-3037 cell 593-2469. Note that these contacts are NOT for rental booking purposes. Please call or email Russ or Lois direct at the numbers below for availability or information on the property.

There are now again two permanent residents at "Pleasant Top". The reigning Queen's name is Missy . Since losing her dear brother Patch, she has taken up the full responsibility of making our home that special place in our hearts. She makes a purr-fect accent for a very comfortable home. We adopted a family member named Andy Orange a few years ago to keep Missy company, which is highly questionable since the two of them are constantly warry of each other, or at times Andy just lies and adores Missy while she just gives him the big hiss (Sounds familiar doesn't it guys).

The snorkeling all round Bequia is fantastic, likely the best in the Caribbean on balance. There are excellent dive shops just a 10 minute walk down the hill at the Admiralty Bay shore and places to rent windsurfers, bicycles, scooters, cars, SUVs, kayaks, small sailing craft, fishing and yacht charter operations as well as tennis courts. One of the real treats available is a day trip with one of the local day sailors to snorkel Tobago Keys or Mustique 'isle of the rich and famous' or to the falls of Baleine with stopoffs to snorkel a bat cave and reefs on the leeward coast of St. Vincent. There is body surfing on windy days at deserted Hope Beach with nary a soul in sight. Or, just hang out at Ravine Bay, Lower Bay, Princess Margaret Beach, Friendship Bay or the castaway island idyl Crescent Beach where there are just enough creature comforts to make it close to perfect. You can try to swim with manta rays off Adams Beach out by the airport too as some of our guests have done. For the less athletic, wander along the Admiralty Bay Belmont shore walkway, shop or relax with a drink and meet the world with new yachts arriving daily from everywhere. Will you have enough time to do it all?

There is only one problem for Pleasant Top guests and that is pulling themselves off the veranda or out of the pool to go do the activity thing. Relaxation is the ultimate!

If you just have to have a game of golf or get to a casino, there is always a daytrip available to Raffles Resort & Golf Club on Canouan a 10 minute flight away from the Bequia airport (private charter only and $$$$ expensive). But at US$300 a round on one of the most enticing Jim Fazio designed courses, and with the US$350 return boat charter fare it gets a bit pricey. It worse if you have to rent clubs too.

There are 'jump-ups' or entertainment each night, in-season, at one small intimate hotel or the other on Bequia so evenings are well covered. (There are no 'big' hotels on Bequia.) Trying each of the delightful character restaurants on Bequia is great entertainment too so don't miss them. Nice way to meet people.

Now if you really are restless and have to see it all, then a one hour ferry ride to mainland St. Vincent and a taxi tour around the island should eat into that itch for adventure. Have a look at what's just across the channel from Bequia in this YouTube video of St. Vincent.
And here's another more commercial effort from YouTube depicting St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The property is 30,818 sq. ft. with irregular boundaries specified on St. Vincent & the Grenadines Lands and Surveys Department Drawing # GR382 and is fully fenced and gated to preserve plant-life from foraging animals.

Here's a little on our own building experience almost 20 years ago.

*Current* Site Plan - beqhprop.gif(15K)

"Pleasant Top" is available for rental.

Rental Rates 2010

Minimum rental 1 week. - Added partial weeks accepted, pro rata.

The property is well equipped with barbeques, dishwasher and all kitchen, towel and linen needs, clothes washer, a hammock, patio and pool side furniture. There are even breadmakers which can be fun and provides that delicious aroma of fresh baked bread. We can arrange a cook should you wish such service. Maid services are provided weekly, more often if you wish to have it arranged (at extra cost). The property is prepared for your arrival and taken care of on your departure so there is no need to alot time for such needs. If you are into gardening, all the tools are here to keep you busy, although our maintenance help usually keeps the gardens and pool in good order. There is a hairdryer, washing machine, iron & board, scanner/printer/copier, cable TV/VCR, DVD player, CD player, radio, record/tape player, phone and free ADSL Internet access provided and Wi-Fi (bring your laptop).

The apartment is part of the full villa rental and includes the third bedroom.
The property will accommodate 6 adult guests. Children can also be accommodated on the two sofa's.

We can arrange connecting flights between Bequia and any of Barbados, Grenada, Cannouan, St. Lucia or Martinique if needed. If you prefer a private charter flight please do contact us. For International flights travellers can check Bequia Tourism's website travel here page.

Please contact us for longer term rates (4 weeks or more) for the full villa.

to Russ' Currency Conversion

We accept payments by bank transfer, money order, personal cheque, cash.

In Canada, we can also accept payment by email bank transfer. Very quick & simple!

See Russ' SVG Places to stay for an overnight in Canouan or Russ' Barbados recommendations for an overnight in Barbados if the unforgivable of a late flight happens.

A 5 minute YouTube video overview of Pleasant Top.
Turn up your sound, way up

A 5 minute YouTube video of the Gardens at Pleasant Top.
You can turn your sound down for this one

Russell & Lois Filman
winter residence: (mid-September to April)
Port Elizabeth P.O. Box 226BQ, Bequia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, West Indies
summer residence: (May to mid-September )
602-10 Woodman Dr. S., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8K 4E1

---------------- E-mail -- filman@sympatico.ca -- E-mail ------------------

--- (784)458-3988 (Bequia) - phone - (Hamilton) (905)560-7318 ---

"Being a realist doesn't mean you can't follow your dreams"

- "May the winds be with you, throughout your journey." -

Our warmest regards, Russ and Lois Filman

Now here's just the place to let those knots of hurly-burly tension melt away with a cool drink and a few sympathetic friends.

No problem, man!

Lower Bay, Bequia

or ..

. . . . just lounging away the day by the Pleasant Top pool

But...here's a fair description of a typical day for someone who comes to Bequia to really relax and enjoy life: www.travelgrotto.com's Bequia

An article on Bequia by Nicholas J. Klenske, a freelance writer and lawyer, resident in Iowa USA.

A few comments from Pleasant Top Guests

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