There is nothing more relaxing or beautiful than the view from the front porch of our cottage. The colors of the ocean change throughout the day, so you never tire of just sitting and looking at the panoramic view in front of you. If you are wanting a relaxing, quiet, and beautiful place to vacation, this is it.
The 400 sq. ft. cottage is simply and comfortably designed. One main room includes kitchen, sitting, and queen bed. There is a separate bath with tiled shower, toilet, and vanity. Because the cottage is built on 12' pilings, there is also plenty of room underneath for outdoor enjoyment.
I first visited Spanish Wells and Russell Island in 2012 and have made many pilgrimages to the Islands since the first visit. Every time I vacation here I find it is one of the few places where I can truly relax and unwind. The people are genuine and welcoming to their part of paradise. If you are wanting a bustling nightlife, scores of bars and restaurants as well as fancy hotels and shopping you’re looking in the wrong place. But if you want a tranquil and peaceful slice of heaven with uncrowded beaches and beautiful views, keep reading.
The previous stewards of the cottage found a beautiful property overlooking the ocean, and worked with a local draftsman to create the perfect tiny home. They moved into the new little island cottage in July 2020 and had lifelong roots in the music of middle Tennessee, and wanted to incorporate that into the name of the cottage. TennesSea Shine was named as a tribute to their home state, its music and moonshine, and to the sunshine and sea of The Bahamas. It suits me well as I grew up in Kentucky, live in Alabama and spend lots of time between both, in Tennessee.
My kitchen is nicely equipped with most anything you need to prepare a meal. So, take that fishing charter early in the week and cook your fresh catch while you are here! You can choose to dine inside at my little dining table and still enjoy the view of the water. Or, you can choose to dine at the table on the porch and enjoy the ocean breeze while you eat.
The sitting area includes a loveseat recliner for relaxing after a day at the beach. (I just ask that you keep the coverlet on so as to insure the fabric stays clean and stain free for everyone who stays.) And, there are two other chairs in case you meet friends on the island who would like to join you for coffee or a glass of wine. The smart TV package includes cable TV (use the large remote for channel selection), as well as Roku for watching Netflix or Amazon Prime. Just be sure and bring your account sign in information to use while you are here (and, don't forget to sign out of your accounts when you leave.) And, there is complimentary wifi throughout the cottage. Password information is included in the guest book.
The bedroom area is a built in queen sized bed with a comfortable mattress and hotel bedding. There is a nice sized closet where we provide hangers, shelving, and baskets for your use. I've made sure to include plenty of outlet spaces on the bottom shelves on both sides of the bed for any electronic devices you choose to bring.
My bathroom is actually quite roomy for a tiny cottage. The tile shower, vanity, and storage shelves allow space for any items you'd like to store/place there.
To get to the island, you will fly to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH). We have flown Delta, American, and Silver from the United States. There are other airlines that fly in from Nassau. We are happy to arrange taxi service to Spanish Wells from the airport, if requested. A representative from Pinder's Taxi will be at the airport to meet you. You will ride in a 15 passenger van to Gene's Bay Dock (about a 10-15 minute ride), where you will board a ferry with the same driver as the van. The ferry ride over to Spanish Wells is about 5-10 minutes. And, just the ride into the lovely harbor will make you feel like your vacation has begun. My care taker, Donna Pinder, will be at the dock in Spanish Wells to meet you and escort you to our cottage. You'll need to rent a buggy (aka golf cart) for your stay. If you'd like more information regarding a rental, just let us know.
We are also happy to share that our friends, who built the cottage beside ours (see photos of both cottages), now have their cottage on the rental market. If you are considering a couples trip, these two tiny cottages would be perfect! Each couple would have their own private space, but it's just a quick walk over to either place for brunch, dinners, or a glass of wine together. You can find information about our friends' place at www.vrbo.com/2633474.
Spanish Wells is a charming and beautiful island. If you are looking for a place to relax, to enjoy beautiful ocean views, and sit on a quiet, uncrowded beach, this is the place! While the cottage has beautiful views, it will take a short buggy ride to access the beach. The cottage has coolers and beach chairs available for your convenience. Once there you will find there are many places to visit the beach and explore the islands. Each location has its advantages and you aren’t limited to just one view during your stay.
