Information & FAQIf you have any questions which aren’t answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us. Spring House InformationGeneral InformationSpring House InformationAir-conditioning: Are your bedrooms air-conditioned?All our bedrooms are fully air-conditioned with remote control
operation. However, most of our guests find that the constant trade winds provide
sufficent cooling breeze that air-conditioning is not ususally required.
Airport/Ferry Dock transfers: How do I get to Spring House once I've arrived in Bequia?You will be met by Gideon Taxi at the airport or ferry dock upon arrival and taken to Spring House.
This is the sister company to Bequia Jeep Rental who will arrange your included jeep if you
are on our All-Inclusive Rate Plan. The cost of airport or ferry dock transfers at the
beginning and end of your stay is included in your tarrif. Please advise the house
manager by telephone or email of any changes or delays
to your travel schedule.
Weddings, Anniversaries: How can you help us make this day special?Special requests, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays — we
love to help you celebrate your special occasion. Just let us know how we can
help.
Children: What services do you provide for babies and children?We have a crib, high chair, playpen, car seat and various baby
items, available for our guests’ use, as these items are bulky and difficult to
carry aboard aircraft. We can assist you with meal preparation, babysitting services
or other items by special request.
Dinner: Why don’t you provide dinner?Bequia is fortunate, primarily because of the visiting yacht
trade, to have a large and varied selection of restaurants for such a small island. From American pizza to the finest French
cuisine, from rotis in a beach bar to Mexican to local foods, we have it all. There
is no way we could compete with the selection and variety that you can experience
just minutes from your villa. The national dish is roasted breadfruit and jackfish.
Try saltfish and ackee. Seafood is abundant, including lobster, crab, conch
(pronounced conk), shrimp, whelk and mahi mahi. A favourite delicacy is tri tri, a
tiny fish seasoned with spices and curry powder and fried into cakes. Other popular
dishes include callaloo stew, souse (a soupy stew made with pigs feet), pumpkin soup,
roti and buljol (salted fish, tomatoes, sweet peppers and onions served with roasted
breadfruit). So get out in the evening, meet the locals, jump up and enjoy!
Environmental Impact: What does Spring House do to lessen its environmental impact?Spring House Bequia is fully committed to minimizing their
environmental impact on the pristine island of Bequia. The house is designed to take
advantage of the cooling trade winds reducing the need for air-conditioning and its
harmful effect on the ozone layer. We use solar power when appropriate. We use
energy-saving light bulbs and appliances where appropriate. We grow much of our own
fruit and vegetables, and compost or burn waste to reduce landfill saturation. We
use our own extensive gardens to supply fresh flowers for the house daily. We raise
our own hens for fresh eggs. We collect all our water from rainfall. We recycle
waste (grey) water for garden irrigation use. We participate in the "Keep Bequia
Clean" campaign
Feedback and Comments: How do I make my views known?We are here to make your vacation as enjoyable and stress-free as
possible. However, we are human; mistakes are sometimes made, and certain things like
the weather are beyond our control. If there are things that you did or did not like
please feel free to discuss them with the house manager or housekeeper. If you prefer,
you can use our website Contact Form. We take your
comments seriously and all concerns will be addressed. We also especially welcome your
ideas for how we can make your vacation experience better. Please tell us specifically
what you did and didn’t like, what supplies or equipment would have made your
stay better, and how we can improve for your next visit. In addition, we invite you
to add your comments to our Visitors Book.
Guest Cell Phones (All-Inclusive Rate Plan only): What are the arrangements for use?For guests on our All-Inclusive Rate Plan we provide two local
pay as you goguest cell phones so that you can communicate with each other around the island etc. Each is pre-programmed with useful local numbers and comes with an EC$10 calling voucher. Additional call time can be purchased from our housekeeper or from local shops. Please be sure to return the phones to the office at the end of your stay. Handicapped/Disabled access: What accessibility services do you provide?Like most Caribbean islands, Bequia is a very hilly place. Most
houses have a large number of steps in every direction. Spring House is unique in
having all common areas on one level and a short ramp to the pool deck. An extra
ground floor bedroom and bathroom is available by special request. Your handicapped
or disabled family member will be able to fully enjoy their vacation with the rest
of the group. We can also arrange for caretaker services for the duration of your
stay.Contact us for your special needs.
Internet Access: Do you have internet access?Spring House has its own wireless broadband internet service which
reaches all parts of the property. Bring your own laptop or use the guest terminal
provided in the East drawing room. Stay in touch with family, friends or business
while enjoying your vacation in beautiful Bequia.
Jeep Rental (All-Inclusive Rate Plan only): What are the arrangements and what do I need to know about driving on the island?The number of Jeeps provided is based on the number of people in your group; as a rough guide you can assume there will be one Jeep for every 5 people.
A representative from Bequia Jeep Rentals will meet you at Spring House and take you through the paperwork and check you out in the vehicle on the morning after your arrival. Please note that, although the cost of the vehicle is included in your holiday, the contract for its hire is between you and the rental company. Please return the jeep with the same amount of petrol/gas (normally full) that it had when you received it, or settle with the rental company before departure. You will need to obtain a local driving license for each driver by producing copies of your home country license and passport. Spring House Bequia Inc. will pay the license fee of EC$50 for up to two drivers. The jeep rental company can obtain your local driving license before you arrive at no extra charge. Please contact them directly and explain that you are staying at Spring House. They will require you to email copies of your home country driving license and passport, and your local license will be waiting for you upon arrival. Vehicles are not normally allowed to leave the island without prior arrangement. Drive on the left and drive slowly. Roads are in poor condition, steep hills with deep drainage ditches are common and there are many people walking on the roads day and night. Street lights are few and far between. Laundry service: What laundry services do you provide?Depending upon your Rate Plan, we offer a selection of laundry services.
For the Standard Plan, our housekeeper will explain the use of the washing machine so that you can do your own laundry. Irons and ironing boards are available. We will provide detergent. For the All-Inclusive Plan we offer a full laundry service. Often
called Kitchen: When can I use the kitchen?If you are on our Standard Rate Plan, the kitchen will be
available to you throughout your stay to store your food and prepare your meals.
If you are on our All-Inclusive Rate Plan, our cook uses the same kitchen all day to prepare your meals. At night she will leave supplies in the kitchen so that you can make a snack, prepare a baby’s food or satisfy your late night craving for a bowl of rum & raisin ice cream under the stars. Feel free to use the kitchen at night even if you wish to prepare a meal from food that you have purchased locally. We do ask that you allow the cook exclusive use of the kitchen during the day so that she can work for you without interruption. Pets: Can I bring my pet?Spring House only accepts pets by prior arrangement. To import a
pet you must apply for an import permit for which you’ll need a health
certificate signed by a government veterinary officer stating that the animal meets
certain requirements. For further details contact the Chief Veterinary Office, Animal
Health and Production Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on
784-457-2452.
Private Charter: I'm interested in a charter. Can you help?We can provide a Spring House Private Charter from Barbados, St Lucia or Grenada directly to Bequia for an additional supplement subject to the fare basis at the time of booking. Have a private aircraft and crew waiting just for your arrival in Barbados, ready to whisk you away moments after your international airline flight arrives. Less than 45 minutes later you will be in Bequia ready to start your holiday, having avoided immigration, customs, check-in and waiting time. Please note that there are no arrivals in Bequia after dark.
Septic tank: the Care and Feeding thereofIt is very important that you do not throw anything into the
toilets that doesn’t belong there. The septic systems are not designed to handle
foreign objects.
Smoking policy: Can I smoke at Spring House?You are welcome to smoke outdoors at any time although we do ask
that you dispose of all smoking related items responsibly. There is an absolute no
smoking policy in all our living and bedrooms due to fire risk. There is no fire
service on Bequia and the main building has a wooden frame. No smoking please!
Staff gratuities: How much should I tip?I had a great time, the service was excellent, and I want to give a gratuity to a certain member of the staff who really looked after us. Please don’t. Staff gratuities and local government taxes are covered by an additional 15% charge added to base plan rates at the time of booking. All our staff are dedicated to providing you with the finest vacation experience possible. Gratuities are shared amongst the staff. It can create internal problems if staff members vie with each other for gratuities or single-out guests for special treatment in the hope of additional rewards. Swimming Pool: What are your swimming pool use policies?The pool is the hub of the villa and the villa is the hub of your
vacation. So use it and enjoy it! Please remember that there is no lifeguard on duty
so you are responsible for looking after children and non-swimmers. All pool use is
at your own risk. No diving allowed. Do not use glass around the pool area and do
not throw anything in the pool that you would not like to swim with the next morning!
Water: Is the water safe to drink?There are no rivers or wells on Bequia. All our water comes from
the sky. It is collected on roofs and stored in large tanks that form a part of every
house. At Spring House our roofs are made in Barbados of a special non-toxic material
to minimize impurities in the water. The locals drink the water with no adverse
effects. The water is safe for bathing and swimming but we provide bottled water for
our guests. All other water is boiled and filtered before use.
Please conserve water. We rely on collecting water during the rainy season to last us all year. Excessively long showers, frequent flushing of toilets and leaving faucets running are the biggest wasters of our water supply. General InformationBanks: What are the local banks and their opening times?We have two banks on the island:
Bugs and creepy crawlies: Do you have many bugs or mosquitoes?You are in the tropics and there may be some animals or insects
that you do not normally see at home. They are not usually a problem although some
people find that a little bug spray around your ankles can reduce the sand flies on
the beach. There are no poisonous snakes or animals on Bequia. Our rooms are screened
and air-conditioned. All our beds have screens although this is more for atmosphere
than necessity.
Car/Jeep Rental: I’m on the Standard Rate Plan but I would like an extra car/jeep rental - who do I contact?Please see our Useful Links page for a list of car/jeep rental companies.
Crime: What about crime on the island?Thankfully, one of the joys of living on Bequia is the low crime
rate. However, not all our residents and visitors are angels. That said, there is a
safe provided in each room for your valuables. Please use it. We do not have a
master key or combination so please remember your code. Spring House is not
responsible for losses.
Earthquakes: Do you get earthquakes?Despite that fact that the entire Caribbean chain of islands lie
in the vicinity of a fault line and are primarily of volcanic origin, significant
earthquakes are relatively rare. Of all the Leeward Islands, Barbados and the
Grenadines are historically the least likely to suffer the effects of an earthquake.
Despite this fact, Spring House conforms to the highest modern earthquake and hurricane
building standards and codes with reinforced concrete footings and walls. Check out
the U.S. Geological Survey website for a wealth of information pertaining to earthquakes in the Caribbean.
Electrical Voltage: What is the electrical voltage?The main voltage on the island is 220v and the outlets are the UK
3-prong style. Spring House is also fully wired for 110v with outlets in the US
style. In addition, although outages are rare, we have a large stand-by generator for
the entire complex.
General gratuities: How much should I tip?For good service, tip restaurant wait staff and taxi drivers about
10–15%. Some hotels and restaurants automatically add a 10–15% service
charge to the bill, so check first as it is not necessary to leave more unless you
feel the service was above average.
Getting around: How do I get around the island?Your choices are the included jeep rental (All-Inclusive Rate Plan only), an additional vehicle or scooter rental (see our Useful Links page for a list of car/jeep rental compies), taxi, water taxi, or walk.
Hurricanes: Do you get hurricanes?To quote James Bond
never say never. We are below the traditional hurricane belt. Check out the Caribbean Hurricane Network for a review of hurricane history in the Grenadines. Money: What currencies are used?The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD),
which is divided into 100 cents. Paper money runs in denominations of EC$5, EC$10,
EC$20, EC$50 and EC$100 bills and coins in 1¢, 2¢, 5¢, 10¢,
25¢ and EC$1 pieces. The exchange rate is fixed at EC$2.67 to US$1. Current
rates to Euros and Sterling can best be obtained from many websites.
The US Dollar is widely accepted, although you may get the official exchange rate only at banks. ATMs are available at all banks and many restaurants and most shops now accept major credit cards and traveller’s cheques, although less so on some of the smaller islands. To ensure hassle-free purchases during your trip, you may want to contact your credit card company and let them know you will be travelling abroad. Post Office: Where’s the Post Office and when is it open?The General Post Office is in Port Elizabeth and is housed in the
yellow Government building across from the main jetty. It is is open Monday to Friday
from 8am to 3:00pm and Saturday from 8:30am to 11:30am.
Religion: What religions are represented?Predominantly Protestant, including Anglican, Baptist, Church of
God, Evangelical, Methodist, Pentecostal, Seventh-day Adventist and Wesleyan. Roman
Catholic, Baha’ism, Hinduism and Mormon are also represented. You are always
welcomed at local services.
Taxis: How much do they cost?There are no taximeters. The government fixes all rates, but you
should verify the fare with the driver prior to departure. Fares increase late at
night and in the early morning. Expect to pay EC$25–$30 to get back to Spring
House from the Harbour. We recommend Gideon Taxi and their phone number (458-3760) is programmed into your guest cell
phone.
On Bequia, you can find taxis under the almond tree in Port Elizabeth during the day and around the main nightspots in the evening. You can obtain a rate sheet from the Bequia Tourism Association Office in Port Elizabeth (Tel: 458-3286). On St Vincent, the fare from the airport into Kingstown is about EC$25. Island tours cost about EC$40–$50 per hour for two to four passengers. A rate sheet is available from the Tourist Bureau Office in the Government Administration Building on Bay Street in Kingstown. Staying in touch: Can my friends and family contact me?The phone system in St Vincent & the Grenadines is modern and
cellular and Internet services are available.
Public SmartPhones located around the island accept coins, SmartCards, which you insert into the slot on the phone, credit cards and prepaid calling cards, for which you dial a specified number and follow the voice prompts. Prepaid PhoneCards can be used with any Touch-Tone phone by dialling 111 and following the voice prompts. C&W SmartCards and prepaid PhoneCards are available at C&W offices and local agents around the islands. To use American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa, dial 1-800-744-7777 and follow the voice prompts. You can also dial 1-800-CALL-USA to use US calling cards, major credit cards or to make collect calls.
Shopping: What are the best things to buy here?For souvenirs with local flavour look for watercolour and oil
paintings by local artists, indigenous jewellery, coconut and bamboo candles, locally
designed clothing, stained-glass items, driftwood sculptures, coconut bracelets and
hair ornaments, miniature boats made from local woods, crocheted and batik clothing,
pottery and handmade straw baskets, place mats, handbags, hats and toys. You may be
able to
barterthe price at local stalls and markets. Shops tend to close early and are almost never open on Sundays and holidays. Sun safety: What precautions should I take against the sun?The sun is hot! Don’t let sunburn ruin your vacation. By
pool, beach or just walking around use plenty of sunscreen and limit time in the sun
until your tan develops. Wear a hat. Drink a lot! It is easy to get dehydrated
without realising it.
Time zone: What is the time zone?The islands are on Atlantic Standard Time year round, which is
four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During the summer the time is the same
as on the east coast of North America and during the winter the time is one hour
ahead. All this said, leave your watch at home because you are on vacation!
Travelling to Bequia: What documents do I need to bring and how long can I stay?Citizens of the USA, Canada and the UK can spend up to 6 months in
Bequia (St Vincent & The Grenadines) with a valid passport. All other visitors
must present a valid passport and a visa. All visitors must present an on-going or
return ticket.
Visitors to the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines may bring up to one quart of wine and spirits, 50 cigars and 200 cigarettes into the country without paying duty. Vaccinations: Do I need a vaccination to visit Bequia?Most travellers won’t need any special vaccinations.
However, if you are arriving from an infected area, check the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention website for information.
Water Taxis: What are they?Although they primarily service the yacht trade, water taxis are a
popular method of quickly getting around the harbor or to a nearby beach. They are
small, brightly coloured boats with an outboard engine. Be sure to agree the price
first and make arrangements in advance to be picked up so they will be there when you
are ready to return. All water taxis stand by on VHF Channel 68.
Weather: What’s the weather like?The weather is reliably warm all year round: it’s in the
78°F to 82°F (26–28°C) range. Winter months (January to June)
tend to be drier and summer months (July to October) have showers. Hurricanes are
rare. See our Climate page for more information and
today’s weather, or check out St Vincent & the Grenadines Meteorological Service or The Weather Underground.
What to bring: What should I bring with me?We think that we live in paradise and have everything that you
need, but in this modern world we see many people relaxing by the pool or on the beach
with a computer on their lap! So here are a few ideas, in no particular order, that
may or may not apply to you.
What not to bring: What shouldn’t I bring with me?
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS:
MEDICAL INFORMATION:In an emergency, dial 999 or 911.
There are a number of public and private hospitals, as well as numerous health centres/clinics throughout the country. Facilities include:
Medical facilities are limited, however, and serious cases may require air evacuation to another island. The nearest hyperbaric chamber is located in Barbados. Doctors and medical facilities often require immediate payment. Your home medical program may not provide payment for medical services outside your home country. Obtaining adequate medical/travel insurance, including air ambulance coverage and consulting a physician or travel medicine specialist six to eight weeks prior to your trip to determine health risks and necessary vaccinations is recommended. There are a number of pharmacies, including:
Do not touch manchineel trees or stand under them when it’s raining. Their poisonous white sap contains an acid that severely burns skin and their fruit, which resembles small apples, is poisonous. Some manchineel trees are located on the beach near De Reef Restaurant on Bequia and at Richmond Bay on Union Island. When swimming be cautious of strong currents and undertow, especially around Trinity Falls, Warriacou and Mount Wynne. |