Tiny 5-square-mile Saba, the smallest of the Dutch Caribbean
islands, has added historic Convent Cottage to its accommodations inventory.
The two-bedroom, two-bath house has been restored by Mark
Johnson, its third-generation owner whose family history with the property
dates back 150 years.
The cottage originally was in Johnson's mother's family for
years when it was sold to Dominican nuns who were on Saba as teaching
missionaries.
It was eventually abandoned and left to disrepair when
Johnson purchased it a few years ago and set about restoring it and dubbing it
Convent Cottage as a nod to its past.
The cottage is in the village of Windwardside, one of four villages
on the island, and is an easy walk to shops and restaurants.
Updates include new bathrooms, a modern kitchen, walk-in
closets and crystal chandeliers.
The nightly rate is $300 per night and includes housekeeping
services. A chef is available at an additional charge.
Saba, a 12-minute flight from St. Maarten, has a population
of 1,800.
"At the moment, we have approximately 100 guest rooms,
two eco-lodges, a couple of three-star inns, the higher-end Queen's Gardens
Resort and a number of cottages and villas," said Glenn Holm, director of
tourism.