This was my 4th vist in 7 years and I've stayed with my Montserratian family, Lou and Shirley, each time. I have always felt at home. Their warmth is exceptional. My love for Montserrat and my recent land purchase are, in part, a product of their hospitality. Thank you, Lou and Shirley!!

John Paulson, Columbus Ohio

Having searched for decades the arc of the Lesser Antilles in pursuit of the perfect tropical vacation, we may well have found it this Christmas past. We were quite familiar with Montserrat from 3 trips in the late 80s, but had always rented private homes. Although these journeys rated among our favorite Caribbean experiences, they lacked the familial closeness and genuine warmth we felt as guests of Lou & Shirley Spycalla, the irrepressible proprietors of Erindell Villa Guesthouse. Erindell is situated on a quiet back street of the Woodlands neighborhood, a block off the main road and a mile from the village of Salem, replete with good Creole restaurants, quirky bars dripping with island personality and more than adequate grocery shopping. Also within walking distance are the National Trust Museum, some of the Centre Hills rainforest trailheads and the sometimes-deserted Woodlands Beach—a gray sandy strand with nice snorkeling, a barbecue pit and restrooms. Dark sand beaches Old Road Bay and Bunkum Bay are a little further south and north. A few miles north in the town of Brades are gift shops, restaurants and an ATM-equipped bank. Further north are Carr’s Bay and Little Bay, port towns with some sailing & scuba diving services that Lou & Shirley can arrange for you. Unfortunately, I contracted a virus on the trip down and was unable to dive, although we were told that the reefs are pristine. Rendezvous Bay, a beautifully secluded white sand beach with excellent snorkeling, is accessed via a steep trail over the Little Bay headland—or better yet, hire a fishing boat to take you around the point. Nature at its most stunning, both breathtaking & sinister, can be observed at close range from St. George’s Hill, just inside the “daytime exclusion zone” where the Soufriere Hills Volcano (Chance’s Peak) has buried the erstwhile capital, Plymouth, under thick ash & debris flows. Major eruptions began in the mid 90s, followed by devastating pyroclastic flows late in the decade that resulted in abandonment of the southern half of the island. Be sure to arrange a day trip to this fascinating natural wonder to view the “Pompeii of the West Indies”, then stop by the observatory to see the displays and talk to the staff scientists. However, from the pool deck of Erindell, with views of the turquoise sea, the island of Nevis, and the emerald backdrop of the impossibly lush mountains, it seems as though you’ve entered another world. The nicely equipped (see the web site) and spotlessly clean apartments are separate from the Spycalla main house, where breakfast & lunch are served on the poolside veranda. Dinner is offered at the guests’ request in the main house dining room. This hostelry is shockingly affordable, dollar for dollar the best value we have found in all our tropical travels. Doubtlessly the most precious amenities at Erindell are the Spycallas themselves, who will treat you like valued guests, yet welcome you like family. Lou is the pleasantly roguish raconteur & chef, always quick with a quip or tall tale and ever sporting a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Shirley is a talented chanteuse, a poet, a born entertainer and the “office manager” in their partnership. Be sure to ask for one of Shirley’s calypso or operatic songs (she sings in Italian but doesn’t speak the language!) and ask her to read the wonderfully melancholy “egg poem”. We were there for the Christmas season celebrations, during which Shirley performed at several of the traditional events. We found the lack of pretension in the Spycalla house to be utterly refreshing—Lou & Shirley seem to take neither life nor themselves too seriously. The highlight of our week long visit was the Erindell Christmas Party with both traditional and West Indian food. The assemblage was an eclectic array of relatives, friends and house guests from many parts of the globe: Montserrat, St. Kitts, India, Trinidad, St. Vincent and America—each with a story or song to share, full of joy & warmth. It was truly like being at home in the tropics, an experience that we shall hold dear until we can return.

I hopped down to Montserrat for a brief respite from city life with uncertain expectations. I was pleasantly surprised by the family and quaint atmosphere at the guesthouse. It was comforting to get local information, an arranged airport taxi, as well as assure my parents I was safe and sound while exploring with a borrowed cell phone! Shirley and Lou were gracious hosts and true ambassadors to the island. I was within walking distance of the beach and hiking trails and had my share of frog songs and star studded skies in the evening. I highly recommend it for a low key getaway.

If you’re traveling to Montserrat and looking for a place to stay, then Erindell Villa with hosts Lou and Shirley is what you are looking for. When I was planning my week long trip I did a lot of research and every resource pointed to Erindell. Turns out all of the wonderful reviews are absolutely correct and if anything come up short.

First of all Lou and Shirley are absolutely the nicest, friendliest, most charming, bend-over-backward, accommodating people you’ll ever meet. They will take care of you as much or as little as you need, and often before you even know you need it.

The rooms at Erindell are large, well-maintained, comfortable, clean and stocked with so many extras you will feel like you are at home (or better.) Lou is a wonderful cook and will keep you well fed. Shirley is a warm person with many talents whose company you will enjoy.

Erindell is located in Woodlands which is a perfect place to be. It is a scenic quite spot near many attractions. The National Trust is just down the street as in Woodlands Beach which offers spectacular sunsets. There are several nearby hiking trails which take you through lush forests. The nearby St. George Hill offers the best view of the Souffriere Hill volcano and the devastated town of Plymouth. Also down the street is the Montserrat Volcano Observatory where you will meet knowledgeable and enthusiastic volcanologists.

Enjoy your stay in Montserrat and enjoy your stay at Erindell Villa. Lou and Shirley are people to remember.