We recently spent two wonderful weeks at Haiku House. The house is beautiful and
comfortable in a serene setting. We enjoyed taking our coffee outside and watching
The Bottom comes to life in the morning with the blue ocean beyond. When the clouds
roll down the mountain, you feel suspended in the air; your only companions are the
birds, a chicken or two, and the occasional goat. At sunset, we would take cocktails
down to the lower deck to enjoy the view over the neighboring hills. There is ample
room to spread out and relax either on the various decks, in the pool or hot tub, or on
the couch in the bright and airy living room.
This was our first visit to Saba, and Michael at Saba Island Properties was gracious and
welcoming. He helped us book the house through the owner and took care of all of the
details, including stocking the house with essentials, sending a taxi to the airport to
meet us, arranging for a private chef, recommending restaurants, and more. Every
request was handled promptly and efficiently. Michael and Albert are most charming
and seem to know everyone on the island. Whether you stay at Haiku House or
another of the houses they manage, you will be in very capable hands. The owner of
Haiku House, Caroline Hompes, was lovely to deal with and followed up after our visit to
make sure we had an enjoyable stay.
While it was tempting to stay at the house all day, we did manage to see most of the
island and take a number of hikes, including the trails up Mount Scenery and to the
abandoned sulfur mine. The Sandy Cruz trail, another favorite, starts very near the
house. The hiking can be as easy or as challenging as you like, and there is an
excellent trail guide in the library at the house. You can also hire “Crocodile” James
Johnson, a fifth-generation Saban, to guide you. We never saw another person on any
of the trails and the views are striking as is the profound silence when you walk through
the forest or along the cliffs.
While The Bottom is quieter than Windwardside, the other town on the island, it has two
excellent places for breakfast or lunch, Bottom Bean and Island Flavors, as well as a
bakery and two grocery stores. Saba may be one of the friendliest places on Earth, and
strangers really do wave at you as you walk or drive by! As time passes, you become
familiar with the rhythms of daily life on the island, including the much anticipated arrival
of the supply boat on Wednesdays. You will feel part of it all very quickly. We could
have easily spent another two weeks on Saba and hope to return soon!
Lisa and Paul, New York
