A Secluded Sanctuary in Helene
Immerse yourself in nature’s enchanting symphony of birdsongs.
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Immerse yourself in nature’s enchanting symphony of birdsongs.
A true hidden gem in the Caribbean, Bentley’s Hill Plantation offers an exceedingly unique and tranquil escape. Accessible only by boat, this remote getaway is surrounded by lush tropical forests and cooled by refreshing sea breezes.
As you arrive at the pier, you’ll be greeted by the turquoise waters and white sand of Bentley Bay beach, behind which a gate and pathway lead into the property. Ascend four flights of outdoor stairs, each separated by a thatched viewpoint deck, to reach the cottage perched atop the hill.
Here, you’ll find a covered outdoor porch which connects to the spacious upper viewpoint deck. This is the perfect spot for outdoor dining, yoga, or relaxation as you soak in the forest-framed seascape and the natural beauty which surrounds you.
Inside the cottage, you’ll find a cozy bedroom, small kitchen, and bathroom. With walls adorned in aquamarine (a traditional island colour), the entire space is thoughtfully designed to balance comfort and simplicity, as well as to take advantage of the sea breezes, which help you feel cool and refreshed throughout your stay.
This secluded Roatan vacation rental is the ultimate retreat for anyone seeking to connect with nature and experience the magic of Helene.
Spanning over four acres of tropical forest, the reserve at Bentley’s Hill Plantation is a haven for nature lovers. A diverse range of flora and fauna, including birds, lizards, watusa (agouti), and other wildlife can be spotted throughout the forest and along the nature trails. Interesting rock formations and caves offer a unique and thrilling opportunity to explore.
At the base of the reserve is Bentley Bay, where the coastline can be enjoyed from the private beach, or the adventure continued from our pier into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Roatan’s famous coral reefs attract an abundance of tropical fish and marine life, just waiting to be discovered beneath the shimmering surface.
Spanning over four acres of tropical forest, the reserve at Bentley’s Hill Plantation is a haven for nature lovers. A diverse range of flora and fauna, including birds, lizards, watusa (agouti), and other wildlife can be spotted throughout the forest and along the nature trails. Interesting rock formations and caves offer a unique and thrilling opportunity to explore.
At the base of the reserve is Bentley Bay, where the coastline can be enjoyed from the private beach, or the adventure continued from our pier into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Roatan’s famous coral reefs attract an abundance of tropical fish and marine life, just waiting to be discovered beneath the shimmering surface.
Although on modern maps Santa Elena is shown as a community of Roatan, it is, in fact, geographically distinct and was originally mapped as an island of its own. Still referred to by locals by it’s historical name, Helene, this landmass is separated from Roatan’s main island by a large mangrove forest through which a winding canal — broad enough to be frequented by small boats — cuts across the full breadth from North to South.
So, naturally, Helene is accessed exclusively by sea. The community of Oak Ridge on Roatan’s south shore (about 18 km to the West by boat) serves as the hub for Helene residents and visitors to connect to the rest of the island. In Oak Ridge, there’s a small grocer and bank; from there, French Harbour (a central-island community with many amenities) is 15 km away by road.
Most of Helene’s small population resides on its south shore, primarily a little further to the East, though Bentley Bay is shared with two small settlements on either side of the property along the waterfront. Due to its remoteness, the traditional Bay Islands’ culture has been well-preserved within this charming community.
Helene offers an escape into a world of untouched beauty, where captivating adventures invite you to experience the extraordinary wonders of nature.
Embark on a journey through the property’s nature trails, where verdant landscapes of tropical flora create an immersive experience like no other.
Dive into an underwater paradise where vibrant coral reefs, fascinating marine life, and crystal-clear waters await your exploration.
Delve into a mesmerizing subterranean world filled with wonder and intrigue as you explore some of Helene’s 100+ caves.
Experience the captivating allure of Helene’s mangrove canal as you kayak through its enchanting and tranquil waterway.
Set sail on unforgettable adventures with breathtaking excursions and snorkeling trips to the unspoiled beauty of outlying cays.
Reel in the thrill of the catch, casting your line into abundant waters and creating unforgettable memories surrounded by nature’s bounty.
Several special services are provided for guests of Bentley’s Hill Plantation upon request.
A round trip boat transfer fee is added to your reservation to cover conveyance between Oak Ridge and Helene for your arrival and departure. Should you require additional boat transfers during your stay, this can be arranged for an additional $100 per round trip.
Cuisine is a wonderful way to experience local culture, and our cook can prepare delicious traditional island meals such as brown stewed fish, conch in coconut, or fish pastelitos for you at the cottage. Pricing is $30-50 per person per meal, depending on preferences.
Should you require laundering of clothing or linens during your stay, we can arrange to have them hand-washed and line-dried, as is still customary in this area. Costs range between $50-75, depending on the quantity and size of items to be laundered.
A local pulperia (little shop) is located nearby if you’d like to pick up basic goods, and boat transfers can be arranged to Oak Ridge in order to access more amenities. If you’d prefer that we arrange provisioning service, the cost is $200 plus the cost of the items purchased.
With its remote location acting as a natural guardian, Helene’s captivating heritage remains deeply woven into the fabric of the community.
Charming folklore, vibrant Caribbean colours, warm hospitality, and authentic cuisine are only part of the rich cultural tapestry which defines this idyllic island sanctuary.
The first permanent inhabitants of Helene were the Payan Indians who by all historical accounts were the only pre-Columbian settlers in the Bay Islands and remained here until after the first British settlers.
In Helene in particular there are several significant residential and burial sites. In fact, some artefacts have been found on the estate at Bentley’s Hill and in the ‘Hurricane Cave’ to the North (accessed by the small country stile next to the water tower).
The British had a short lived settlement (Claiborne) at what is today known as Old Port Royal, and in 1742 a British garrison was settled in New Port Royal but disbanded in 1748.
The Garifunas settled in Punta Gorda in 1797 and in the 1830’s with the emancipation of slavery, slaves and slave bosses alike moved to Roatan from the Cayman Islands and Belize (British Honduras).
One of these 1830’s immigrants from the Cayman Islands was Frederick Ross, whose sons Andrew and Bentley — both born on Roatan — settled for a time on Helene in the early 1900’s to cut logwood (Lignin Vitae) used in the boatbuilding trade.
Andrew’s legacy was Ross Cay (the large Cay to the east of the dock) and Bentley’s was Bentley Bay where he had a small logger’s cabin and where Bentley’s Hill Plantation is situated today.
Sadly, Bentley was knocked down by a tram in Cuba while on Business there in 1937 but his Caymanian wife Leila Ross picked up the pieces and after working as a maid she became Georgetown’s first female librarian and the composer of the Caymanian Anthem.
Watch this YouTube video to learn about her life (even Bentley gets a mention).
The residents of Helene and the nearby village are descendants of the first wave of settlers from Cayman and Belize with surnames like Bowman, Gordon, Rich, Bodden, and McLaughlin. They only speak English at home and maintain West Indian culture and customs.
St. Helene and its people are a little pocket of the English Caribbean preserved in the middle of Latin America – largely forgotten by the rest of the Island and, sadly, the politicians. It wasn’t until 2019 that they were connected to Roatan’s electrical grid.
Visit M J Harper’s Blog to read more about the fascinating history of our region.
All rates are subject to a $50 cleaning fee, $100 boat transfer fee, and 3% transaction fee.
Included are up to 2 guests at Bentley’s Hill Plantation.
Jan 7 – MAR 31, 2023
APR 8 – Sep 1, 2023
$155 / night
$930 / week
Sep 2 – DEC 22, 2023
$120 / night
$720 / week
APR 1 – 7, 2023
DEC 23, 2023 – JAN 5, 2024
$225 / night
$1,350 / week
Check our availability calendar to find the perfect dates for your stay.
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Please note that a 5-night minimum stay and at least 48 hours’ notice are required to reserve. Once we’ve received and processed your reservation request, we’ll send a secure link to pay via credit card. We provide a 24-hour courtesy hold for your requested dates while we await your payment.
We look forward to welcoming you!
A 50% deposit is required within 24 hours of receiving the payment link in order to confirm a reservation. The full balance is due 30 days prior to arrival (a link will be sent 5-7 days in advance of the due date). For reservations made 30 days or fewer prior to arrival, payment is due in full within 24 hours of receiving the link.
Reservations cancelled 60 days or more prior to arrival are fully refundable, minus the cost of 1 night at the seasonal nightly rate. Cancellations 31-59 days in advance are entitled to a 50% refund of the deposit paid. Cancellations 30 days or fewer prior to arrival are non-refundable. For reservations paid with partial deposit, if the balance is unpaid by the due date, the reservation will be considered cancelled, and the full deposit forfeit.
Check-in on your arrival date is from 3pm.
Checkout on your departure date is by 11am.
Maximum occupancy at Bentley’s Hill Plantation is 2 guests; 5 guests maximum at Caulfield’s Cottage.
Visitors who are not on the reservation are not permitted on the property without prior authorization.
We do not accept pets at our properties. Registered service animals with proper documentation are permitted; owners are expected to keep the grounds free from waste.
Our septic systems can process toilet paper and human waste only; a $250 fee will apply for plumbing issues resulting from flushing wipes, sanitary products, or other items.
Fees will also apply in the event of damage to the property, missing items, or the requirement of cleaning above what is standard for a typical checkout.
