View from “High Trees”
This site has had reviews of various services in Barbados before, but never as a dedicated series that examines concrete examples of customer service excellence. There will be 1 nominee per month for the Bajan Mom Award of Service Excellence 2023 (no monetary value, but a sense of pride is priceless), and then, in December, one of these monthly nominees will be declared 2023’s winner overall.
January’s nominee for the Bajan Mom Award of Service Excellence 2023 is the team that manages a short-term rental in the parish of Christ Church. High Trees, which is on St. Lawrence Main Road, is an exquisite 3-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouse run by a host (Gloria) and property manager (Margot), assisted by Grace Anne, who understand how to give guests value for money. Just a stone’s throw away from the Divi Southwinds Resort and popular St. Lawrence Gap, this property is ideal for anyone who wants to be close to entertainment but tucked away enough to enjoy peace and relaxation as well. For those who are travelling as a family, note that the property houses a maximum of 6 persons.
I recognise the service excellence at High Trees based on the following 6 categories: Amenities, Cleanliness, Hospitality, Communication & Responsiveness, Family Friendliness, and Honesty in Advertising.
Amenities
When you visit this property’s link on Airbnb it advertises a whopping 52 amenities. These include a combination washer and dryer, as well as a kitchen with whatever you need to prepare meals for your family. I will mention a few more in the other categories but how the property is presented, and what is available, offer a perfect balance of being on a relaxing holiday and being self-sufficient. Wifi and a workspace are also available for those who need to work.
Cleanliness
When you first step into High Trees and want to lay your head down after a long flight, you can do so without concern. You do not have that sense of dread that first you have to sanitise every surface before you can go to bed. The air is fresh and the rooms and contents are pristine.
A housekeeper comes to the property once a week, for your convenience and at your convenience, and the bed and bath linens are laundered professionally by an outside service. There are also cleaning products available should you desire to do your own cleaning for maintenance purposes.
Hospitality
Never, in my family’s and my entire experience at High Trees did we ever feel like we were an inconvenience, unlike other experiences we have had at other properties where making money was king and hospitality was the jester. It was understood that we were guests and that our comfort was their first priority. Whatever we needed was made readily available and we were made to feel at home away from home.
They also sought to make navigation throughout the property easier by providing a manual which explained how appliances worked, gave the WiFi password, and the general rules of staying at the property.
Communication & Responsiveness
The lines of communication were always open and if there were any concerns, responses were prompt, within a few hours, or at longest, by the end of the day. The property manager or host did not allow the sun to set without offering assurances and actively finding solutions. That level of professionalism was very comforting.
Family Friendliness
The property is spacious and ideal for families. The homey atmosphere and the appliances for ease of taking care of needs are pluses.
Two cautions though: 1) there are some expensive and fragile décor items that may not be suitable for children, and 2) the Airbnb link warns families that due to the reflecting pools, despite their shallowness, that the property may not be suitable for small children.
Honesty in Advertising
There are no smoke and mirrors here, folks. What you see is what you get at “High Trees”. In fact, the photos are inviting but pale in comparison to the sense of serenity one feels in the airy, light and tranquil rooms, or stretched out on the rattan chairs in the patio next to the water garden and looking on to the beautiful flora concentrated in the centre of the complex.
The only caveat is that there is no agreement with Divi Southwinds as advertised. If one looks at any unit advertised for sale, long-term or short-term rental in this condominium complex, that alleged agreement is shown as a benefit, however, on visiting the hotel to ask about use of the gym facilities, we were told that several visitors have come asking but have left disappointed since no such arrangement exists. This does not seem to be the fault of the hosts/landlords, but some other entity, but to be forewarned is to be forearmed, so let me save you a trip across the street to the resort.
Overall Impressions
The High Trees team offers better hospitality than some hotels that I have visited at home and abroad. They are customer-centric, professional, responsive and knowledgeable. The main drawback is the property is not suitable for young children but this is advertised upfront.
Bajan Mom score: 8.5/10
BAJAN MOM 