We had a great experience

We had a great experience

It’s location is perfect for a secluded get away. Private and quite. There was private spot for all of us.

We traveled to the Bahamas primarily to pursue our fishing and birdwatching passions and the villa was a prime spot for both. We could walk the flats for miles or take the kayak to bonefish. We also did some offshore fishing with guide Randy Sawyer who the owner recommended. Randy picked us up at the dock and we caught several sizable mahi-mahi that we later cooked up on the grill. We had plans to travel around the island of Abaco to complete our birding check list but we did not have to leave the property as the place was a prime viewing spot. Very comfortable tropical island-styled house. We had for dinner some old friends who were anchored in the harbor. The kitchen is well equipped and the dining room table spacious enough for a group of eight. The gym and game rooms were used daily. Pete's Pub is special. It is especially nice place for lunch as you can walk to Bookies Beach after eating. The fresh fish platters are excellent. We found a walk around the nearby village of Cherokee to be a trip back in time when the pace of life was slow and simple. The long dock that extends from the village out into the ocean as well as the surrounding flats were a great place to fish and swim from. The one caveat about Little Harbour is the drive from Marsh Harbour at night. We went to Hopetown for a day and stopped in Marsh Harbour for dinner. The drive back in the dark was dangerous as the road has no lights and no middle markers in the middle or on the side of the road. Oncoming cars usually did not reduce their high beams. Next time we will be back before dark for sure. That said, there really is no need to go the Marsh Harbour other than to buy groceries as they are much cheaper there compared to Cherokee.

We were looking for a nice, relaxed alternative to overcrowded south Florida winter mayhem and gridlock. We found it at the Bahama Backroads villa in Little Harbour. The house is off the grid, private and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The only noise came from a squabbling flock of wild parrots that passed by daily to feed in the surrounding trees. The house was airy, clean,, spacious and every room has a sea view. The kitchen was fully equipped. The barbecue was great for grilling. We relaxed after dinner playing billiards and ping pong. The deck on the hill is spectacular. Every morning we did some yoga exercises and watched as many as 20 sea turtles swam about feeding on the incoming tide. The tennis and basketball courts were great fun. The bay behind the house in Robinson's Bight, which is now a national park dotted with spectacular blue holes, is an incredible estuary that we explored and fished using the kayaks at the house. We snorkeled off the dock as well as on a few local reefs easily accessed from the beach that the owner told us about. Pete's Pub was a throwback to the days when the Florida Keys were a laid-back open-aired outpost We also got a tour of the gallery and foundry led by a entertaining Frenchman who the owner put us in touch with. All in all just a great week. Definitely plan to come back for a couple of weeks in February to get another break from the south Florida mid-winter gridlock.

Spent two relaxing weeks at the Bahama Backroads villa. We were two couples. We fished at least a little bit every day. Used the tennis courts. Cocktails before dinner on the porch looking out at a fantastic sunset was a daily highlight. The house is very comfortable. The landscaping is beautiful. The gazebo on the hill overlooking the village and the ocean was a great place to relax. The owner was really helpful. Provided lots of tips including best places to buy food and drink, which was really helpful upon arrival in Marsh Harbour. Also recommended a great place to rent a boat for a few days and told us about some great areas to explore. Looking forward to come back next year.

This was our third time at the Villa. Little Harbour is gorgeous and the house really impressive. Spectacular view all around the bay: from the deck we could watch the acrobatic moves of the rays and the sea turtles. Better than a tv show! Great starting the day with a swim and play tennis in the afternoon. We try to come every other year!!! Already planning our next visit.

The whole house needs to be deep cleaned, the screen doors need replacing, some new dishes, bath mats and a new couch cover to replace the duvet they use to cover the dirty couch. Bugs can be very bad, there is no way to avoid them. By the end of my stay (2 weeks) I was covered head to toe with bites from mosquitoes and I don't know what else. The room downstairs, under the main house, was musty smelling. Kayaks were difficult to get in/out of water but we did it. WiFi worked, refrigerator small, bring a cooler and ice. The dishes were not very clean and the only salad bowl had a big crack in it. The bedding was old and thin and I didn't tell my husband, but under the sheets where an awful old mattress cover and an old dirty blanket. We were there two weeks and they never came to clean up or bring new towels. I had to ask for them for towels after we were there a week. There was a washer and dryer on site, but we were asked to go to Cherokee to wash our cloths. We were told not to use the generator unless it was an emergency. Because the house ran on solar we had a couple mornings we couldn't even brew a pot of coffee. After about 4 days of that, we were told via some email communications with the owner we could run the generator for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night. The lantern we were told to bring D batteries was not there. We got tired of the way they asked us to do the dishes so I found a better way. We were asked not to use very much electricity so I felt like the energy Nazi for the whole 2 weeks. Also, we were asked to conserve water, which is hard for that big of a house. I have been visiting Abaco for almost 20 years and I would not stay at this villa again nor recommend it. I agree with another reviewer who said they need to reinvest some of the rental money back into the house and do a deep cleaning. The small issues add up to make for a poorly run property.

The whole house needs to be deep cleaned, the screen doors need replacing, some new dishes, bath mats and a new couch cover to replace the duvet they use to cover the dirty couch. Bugs can be very bad, there is no way to avoid them. By the end of my stay (2 weeks) I was covered head to toe with bites from mosquitoes and I don't know what else. The room downstairs, under the main house, was musty smelling. Kayaks were difficult to get in/out of water but we did it. WiFi worked, refrigerator small, bring a cooler and ice. The dishes were not very clean and the only salad bowl had a big crack in it. The bedding was old and thin and I didn't tell my husband, but under the sheets where an awful old mattress cover and an old dirty blanket. We were there two weeks and they never came to clean up or bring new towels. I had to ask for them for towels after we were there a week. There was a washer and dryer on site, but we were asked to go to Cherokee to wash our cloths. We were told not to use the generator unless it was an emergency. Because the house ran on solar we had a couple mornings we couldn't even brew a pot of coffee. After about 4 days of that, we were told via some email communications with the owner we could run the generator for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night. The lantern we were told to bring D batteries was not there. We got tired of the way they asked us to do the dishes so I found a better way. We were asked not to use very much electricity so I felt like the energy Nazi for the whole 2 weeks. Also, we were asked to conserve water, which is hard for that big of a house. I have been visiting Abaco for almost 20 years and I would not stay at this villa again nor recommend it. I agree with another reviewer who said they need to reinvest some of the rental money back into the house and do a deep cleaning. The small issues add up to make for a poorly run property.

My son (15) and I had a wonderful time at this very special place. Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, tennis, billiard, table tennis, or just relaxing! A beautiful panorama of the bight from the dining room and bed room, plus the panorama deck with a stunning view to Little Harbour (where I took most beautiful photos from the sunrise) … in brief: absolutely fantastic! I will return and take the rest of my family here!

This was our second visit to Backroads and I would highly recommend it as a great getaway. We saw sea turtles in abundance, tiger rays, parrots and other tropical birds and fish and also a stingray at Cherokee village. A beautiful beach was a short kayak ride away, we cycled over to Petes Pub and gallery and toured the foundry which is all run on a generator. A highlight of the visit was a day trip to Hopetown by ferry where we rented bikes for 12$ for the day and explored the charming village, lighthouse and had a great lunch at the Abaco Inn. As an artist I appreciated the spectacular views in all directions and natural unspoiled beauty. As there is no light pollution the night skies are some of the best for star gazing. We are looking forward to a return visit.

My son (15) and I had a wonderful time at this very special place. Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, tennis, billiard, table tennis, or just relaxing! A beautiful panorama of the bight from the dining room and bed room, plus the panorama deck with a stunning view to Little Harbour (where I took most beautiful photos from the sunrise) … in brief: absolutely fantastic! I will return and take the rest of my family here!

This was our second visit to Backroads and I would highly recommend it as a great getaway. We saw sea turtles in abundance, tiger rays, parrots and other tropical birds and fish and also a stingray at Cherokee village. A beautiful beach was a short kayak ride away, we cycled over to Petes Pub and gallery and toured the foundry which is all run on a generator. A highlight of the visit was a day trip to Hopetown by ferry where we rented bikes for 12$ for the day and explored the charming village, lighthouse and had a great lunch at the Abaco Inn. As an artist I appreciated the spectacular views in all directions and natural unspoiled beauty. As there is no light pollution the night skies are some of the best for star gazing. We are looking forward to a return visit.

We had one of our most memorable short vacations ever at this great place. Little Harbour is a one-of-a-kind destination full of interesting unpretentious people, and this place overlooks it all, with a magnificent deck (one morning we looked down to see dozens of sea turtles in the water with manta rays curving around them). You can swim, kayak (in the Harbour or the shallower bight), cycle, explore a nearby blue hole, play tennis on a remarkably good surface, eat/drink/socialize at Pete's Pub, or just laze around the house, which has everything you need and more. As it happened we didn't have much sun the week we were there (Jan 2016) but we had a great time anyway--try that someplace where all you've got is a beach. If you like nature, don't need casinos and night clubs, roll your eyes at turndown service and can rustle up your own breakfast, you'll love it at Bahamas Backroads.

Finally we had the chance to return! This time we came with another couple. We had a beautiful week swimming, fishing and playing tennis. The new deck on the hill overlooking the harbor is a great addition. The gardens and landscaping are spectacular. So colorful. The tennis court is great shape. To be able to play every day at our leisure was such a luxury. We also love the secluded private beaches near the house. All in all a very special place! Hopefully it will not be another three years until we make it back again.

My husband and me we had a great time in Little harbour, at Backroads Bahama Villa. It was my second time there, but I was surprised by the new features: I enjoyed the new panoramic deck (where i did my yoga exercise every morning) and the beautyful tropical garden. For my husband was the first time and he was very very happy by the accomodation. Backroad Bahama Villa confirmed it self as a perfect spot for swimming, playing tennis, snorkling... Every morning we had a breakfast very early watching the sunrise, in the evening we move on the protect balcony for our aperitive, looking at the sunset... we had a fun also kayaking on the bay even if we need more practice. I liked a lot the view from the master room, the walk along the ocean beach, the people around (very friendly and welcoming) and the small beaches of the bay. Thinking already to the next time....

We had a thoroughly enjoyable week at Backroads Bahama Villa. The house is large and accommodated us well with plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms. We went to Little Harbor to meet up with friends that participated in the Regatta Time in Abaco. The house was the perfect spot for our group and provided those that had been living on the sailboat with an opportunity to get their toes on land, shower, sleep in a bedroom, do laundry, etc. I would describe the house as rustic (off the grid!) but very comfortable. The landscaping was beautiful. We are familiar with solar power, inverters and generators so it wasn't a challenge for us. All of the necessities were provided including kitchenware, towels, sheets, wifi, fans and such. Take the owner's advice and come prepared for the no see-ums and mosquitos and you'll have no issue. The caretaker was very helpful. Fantastic views from both the front and rear decks of the house and an elevated deck on a cliff that overlooks Little Harbor. It's an awesome location in a remote area where the biggest attraction is the crystal clear water! We snorkeled the many nearby reefs and blue holes seeing a lot of beautiful coral and sea life. And Pete's Pub - what a fantastic bar/restaurant serving excellent local food and, of course, plenty of fruity rum drinks! Pete's Gallery showcases some fabulous bronze work and we were lucky enough to be invited to visit the foundry to see a pouring. At the house, the large dining table, kitchen and grill was cause for celebration for many freshly prepared meals with our group. We truly had an amazing experience! I would recommend renting a car if you wish to visit other areas of the island such as Marsh Harbor and Cherokee Sound. It was also very cost effective to rent a van and provide our own transfers to and from the airport. We were lucky and had several boats there for our aquatic adventures! Super laid back and relaxing! It was fun being off the grid!

My girlfriend and I had a great time staying here. Best way I can describe it is like camping, but at the beach. Weather was gorgeous the entire time. Every day we would wake up, watch the sunrise, play tennis or go for a walk, lay out in the sun, cool off in the ocean, then watch the sun set. Having access to the internet was also a nice amenity, though we rarely used it.

We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful house for the second consecutive year. Its location provides spectacular views and lush gardens. There is a deck that is on the cliff that overlooks the Little Bay and the Atlantic ocean that provides a perfect spot to rest, relax, read, do yoga or meditate. The house is large and comfortable with lots of opportunities for activities including a ping pong table and pool table. Beautiful screened porch with Adirondack chairs for sunset viewing! Great tennis courts that border on another bay where one can windsurf, beach-comb for shells, or sunbathe. From the house, we walked to the other side of Little Harbor to Pete's Pub where we enjoyed lunches, dinners, and relaxing evenings with music & local residents. There are bikes available at the house to ride to other parts of the island to enjoy the pink-sand beaches & the quaint village of Cherokee. This is a great location for anyone looking to get away from the 'rat race' and rejuvenate themselves! We can hardly wait to go back again!

My family and I just returned from a week in Abaco and had a wonderful time. The location of the house deserves 5/5 stars, the house itself deserves 2 or 3/5. I settled on an overall rating of 3 due to the condition of the house so that people are aware of what they are getting into. The low point of the trip was upon our arrival we found a used "adult toy" in the bedside dresser and a dead cockroach in the bathroom, at that point we had to question the overall cleanliness of the house moving forward. Pros: Great fishing, snorkeling, bird-watching and condition of the tennis courts. Cons: Overall condition of the house (needs to be cleaned and screens/doors replaced=duct tape is not a fix to a large tear in a screen when there are numerous hardware stores on the island), bugs can be very bad and the only way to avoid them is by shutting all the door/windows and running a fan next to the bed (unfortunately this can be an issue due to the power required to run the fans). 5/5 bikes cannot be ridden due to flat tires, nonworking brakes/shifters and should either be replaced or removed as available for this posting, Kayaks are difficult to get in/out of water though we were able to manage and enjoyed using them, no basketball provided for the court so you will have to bring your own. WiFi is provided but is on a “limited plan” (which we were not aware of until it ran out), please be aware of this in case you have an emergency and need to contact someone. We were made aware that electrical use should be limited as much as possible and during the day used zero electricity and at night ate and cooked by lantern. The only time we used electricity was one bedside light at night to read for an hour and 2 fans (one in each bedroom we used) but the electricity reading was still below what the owner recommended each morning when we awoke=if you are not prepared to function on close to zero electrical use this is not the place for you. Being we had nothing but sun the entire week my guess is the overall solar system could use an upgrade. Overall I would recommend Abaco in a heartbeat but would be apprehensive to recommend this particular property. My advice to the owner would be to reinvest some of the rental money back into the house, do a deep clean of the house and check all drawers prior to rentals. The small issues add up to make for a poorly run property.

We enjoyed a great week at the Backroads villa. The views are spectacular. The privacy is fantastic and the water is much clearer and bluer than the photos represent. The house much bigger than we actually needed. The tennis court was in great shape and we enjoyed the pool table and ping pong table. The no-seeums were a bit annoying and we did everything we could to not open doors or turn on lights from sunset on and still we had alot of bites every morning. The harbour is filled with sea turtles and spotted eagle rays and Lionel is a great fishing and snorkeling captain. We would recommend this to people looking for a quiet peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of life.

Large, nice house well south of more populated Marsh Harbour. Many bedrooms, in good shape on a hill overlooking a very pretty harbour. Kitchen very well stocked and appointed. Tennis court in A+ condition. Beautiful waters in the Bight to the north and beaches to the south. Great bar/restaurant (Pete's Pub) just across the harbour. Nice and quiet and allows for a true non-touristy island experience. Rental car required to get around. Kayaks on site and good fishing inshore/offshore nearby. Owner very helpful with local info and requests. Great place.

Our group was mixed snorkelers, swimmers, fishermen, birders, explorers, relaxers. We couldn't have picked a better rental than this one. Especially for birding. We were trying to stay toward the south end of Abaco, where the National Park is, and discovered that many of the Bahama endemic target species were as close as the front yard! For example - the Bahama Woodstar worked the gardens. And the biggie - the Bahama Parrot - was only about 10 miles south in an old development, rather than all the way down in the Park. We understand that in the Winter it even ranges up into the Little Harbour area. Little Harbour is a scenic, charming area - tucked away with lots of great unspoiled land in the area - varying from pine forests to tropical scrub to mangrove marsh. Lots to explore in the area. Pete's Pub is great fun and good food. Snorkeling was okay in the area. Best is Mermaid Reef up near Marsh Harbour. Jim's bonefishing guide recommendation was great. Jim also arranged for a local birder to stop by our first morning there and give birding tips - very helpful! He also helped with some tips on understanding how the utilities work - since it's all self-contained solar and wind, there's some interesting things to learn about it all. Again, if you're interested in the birds of the Bahamas, this is THE place to be!

I had a lovely time at Bahamas back roads villa. I stayed with my girlfriend in the apartment on the first floor and it was exceedingly pleasant. We enjoyed being able to grill on the front deck, and took advantage of the screened porch, eating most of our meals at the table there and reading there when it rained. First, Joe's email was very helpful. His directions were great and his recommendations for activities were just what we needed. We saw and went to many of them. The photos on the site don't do justice to how pretty the property was. It is a really pleasant place. It was clean and well maintained, and as soon as we had a problem (one day the water went out) it was fixed immediately. The property is very pretty, with the harbor on one side and the bight on the other. We carried the kayaks over to the bight (a bit of a trek with the kayak but well worth it) and went to some of the recommended spots. The water was calm and clear and inviting. When we didn't feel like walking too far we swam off of the dock and thoroughly enjoyed its proximity. We also sat up on the deck at the top of the hill and read and watched the sun rise and set many days there. The kitchen was great for preparing food (albeit a little bit dark) and was stocked with all the essentials. The dining room is nicely sized, though we ate most of our meals at the counter bar or on the screened porch. The multiple fans kept air moving nicely, and we never felt like we needed air conditioning. When we didn't grill we went to Pete's Pub for dinner, and the crowd there was very friendly, the food was great and the drinks were satisfying. It is a bit on the expensive side for a beach bar, but it was a fun spot to hang. The master bedroom was excellent. The bed was comfortable, there was ample storage and lots of light from the windows. With the windows open and the fan on (occasionally) we stayed cool all night and comfortable during the day. It was nice to have the room opening up directly onto the screened porch. Cooking smells never penetrated the room. The bathroom is sufficient, though not spacious. It is efficient. There was hot water and good water pressure every time we showered. We kept them short in order to be more sustainable and save some water. Bug spray is not really necessary except in the sunset hours. We were fine, and mostly unbitten. Other reviews over-exaggerated the bugs. All in all it was a great stay and I would love to go back again!

My recent vacation to the Bahamas Backroads Villa was wonderful. Located in Little Harbour, the secluded property is a pleasant and relaxing getaway. I was so impressed with how expansive it is, from the bight, private tennis courts, large house with multiple decks, and dock area. The pictures on the website really don't do it justice. In addition, the house caretaker was quick to respond to our concerns and questions, and the information provided via email by the owner prior to arrival was particularly helpful. Directions to the grocery store and nearby beaches were essential, and a rental car is a must. Bookies' Beach (a short walk from the house) and Winding Bay (a 15 minute drive) were our favorites. As Pete's Pub is the only restaurant in the area, we cooked in a lot. This was one of the most fun parts of the trip, and the house is well equipped for cooking large meals and barbecues. Highly recommended, and we can't wait to go back!