Garden villa amid historic estate's mahogany forest The space Past meets present in a one-of-a-kind setting at Porters Great House Cottage. Tucked amid the lush gardens and mahogany forest of the centuries-old Porters estate near the west coast of Barbados, this vacation rental is the perfect marriage of traditional island style and modern luxury. Its three bedrooms are spacious enough for a holiday with friends and family—yet intimate enough for a Caribbean honeymoon if you choose. After following a winding drive through the forest, you’ll arrive on the private cottage grounds, which feature a swimming pool, al-fresco living and dining areas, and an outdoor wet bar. There’s also a smart TV, Wi-Fi and exercise equipment inside. Your stay even includes the services of a cook and housekeeper. The cottage has both an original coral-stone exterior and a modern wing inspired by the charm of the older one, all filled with stylish pieces. The living spaces are arranged in a line and flow from one to the next, with the living room and fully equipped kitchen at either end, and a dining room that opens to a lily pond in the garden in the middle. From Porters Great House Cottage, it’s a short walk or drive to some of the best beaches and golf courses in the St. James area of the island. The closest beach is Colony Club, just 5 minutes away on foot, and the postcard-perfect stretches of both Sandy Lane and Paynes Bay beaches are less than 10 minutes away by car. If you’re keen to tee off, you’ll appreciate that both the Old Nine and Green Monkey courses at Sandy Lane are also less than a 10-minute drive from the cottage.