Roger Bensen, a financial advisor from Greenwich, Conn., has been an enthusiastic villa renter for more than 20 years, loyal both to the island of Barbados and to the At Home Abroad agency. We were never very interested in the formalities and the structure of being in a hotel or having a lot of other people around us. We're much more relaxed in a house, and we enjoy the real expanse of space. As the kids grew up and the family expanded, we've booked larger and larger houses. The staff are always warm and gracious, and the cooks invariably excellent.
Meals are a high point.
Sometimes there are a dozen of us around the table, talking, joking, laughing. We dress very casually, while the dinner itself can be quite elegant, with candles, flowers and freshly ironed linens. Over the years, many of our happiest moments have been spent together in these houses on Barbados. Ask for pictures, maps and brochures from the island, and inquire about on-island management in case a problem arises once you arrive. You can probably find some fine properties at a good price this way, but remember that caveat emptor is definitely in effect.